Pac-12 decision puts Kentucky’s Dec. 19 game against UCLA in limbo
Kentucky’s game against UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic already had a site to be named later. It was thrown further into doubt Tuesday when the Pac-12 Conference voted unanimously to postpone all sports competitions through the end of the 2020 calendar year.
Kentucky was scheduled to play UCLA on Dec. 19.
Kentucky (eight) and UCLA (11) have combined to win 19 NCAA championships. UK leads its series with the Bruins 8-7. UCLA has won three of the four most recent games, and five of the last eight.
Kentucky has played in the CBS Sports Classic in each of the last six seasons. UK had a 3-3 record in those games, which included a 1-1 record against UCLA. Last season, UK lost in the event to Ohio State in a game played in Las Vegas.
As to when — or if — Kentucky will play UCLA next season, UK basketball spokesperson Eric Lindsey said, “We are monitoring the latest developments and will evaluate and adjust our men’s basketball schedule as we need to. Right now, we have no further comment.”
In a news release, the Pac-12 Conference said it made the decision to suspend sports activities through the end of the calendar year after consulting with its athletics directors and the league’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee. The latter group expressed concern about contact in practices, the league’s news release said.
Pac-12 schools will continue to honor athletes’ scholarships, which will include academic advising, tutoring and other support services. The league also expressed the hope that the NCAA would grant affected athletes an extra year of eligibility.
The announcement came shortly after the Big Ten announced it would postpone its 2020 football season scheduled for this fall.
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” University of Oregon president Michael H. Schill said in the release. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes.
“We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said that safety and health of athletes was the league’s No. 1 priority since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. He acknowledged the disappointment that came with the decision to cancel competition and expressed empathy for impacted athletes.
“Unlike professional sports, college sports cannot operate in a bubble,” Scott said. “Our athletic programs are a part of broader campuses in communities where in many cases the prevalence of COVID-19 is significant. We will continue to monitor the situation and when conditions change, we will be ready to explore all options to play the impact sports in the in the new calendar year.”
