South Carolina basketball must postpone a 3rd consecutive game.
South Carolina basketball has been forced to miss a third straight contest amid a COVID outbreak in the Gamecock locker room, this time being a rivalry matchup with in-state foe Clemson. The team hasn’t been on the floor since December 5th, when it lost 77-67 to No. 10 Houston.
The athletic department released a statement on the postponement early Monday evening.
"Due to the positive COVID-19 tests within the South Carolina men’s basketball program, this Saturday’s (Dec. 19) scheduled contest versus Clemson is being postponed with the potential of rescheduling for a future date to be determined. Further updates will be announced when available.South Carolina’s next scheduled contest is a home matchup versus South Carolina State on Dec. 23. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena."
This marks the fourth time that a game has been removed from the schedule this season, though it looks as though the program will do its best to reschedule the matchup with its archrival. Contests with Coker, George Washington, and Wofford will not be moved to a later date.
The Gamecocks are off to a 1-2 start on the season, having played only three games since November 28th. The team suspended activities on December 8th due to the COVID issues, which are still lingering within Frank Martin’s unit.
The matchup with No. 24 Clemson would’ve presented an opportunity to knock off a ranked foe for the first time this year, and extend a series winning streak to two. Instead, we’ll have to wait and see if and when the game can be played later in the season.
South Carolina’s next matchup, for now, is set to take place on December 23rd, when the Gamecocks will face off against another in-state program in South Carolina State, before jumping into the conference portion of the 2020 slate the following week.