Dominoes falling: Big East cancels non-conference for fall sports

First, the news:

The BIG EAST Conference and its member institutions have announced updated plans for their six 2020 fall sports (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and field hockey), as follows:

• Due to the unprecedented and continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, BIG EAST fall sports schedules will not include any non-conference competition.
• No decision is being made at this time regarding BIG EAST fall sports conference competition and championships. In the coming weeks, the BIG EAST will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions across the country and in BIG EAST communities and will provide further updates on dates and formats as appropriate. All decisions regarding fall conference competition will continue to be guided first and foremost by the health and safety of BIG EAST campuses and their athletics program participants and will be made in accordance with NCAA actions and policies.

The above is from the Big East’s official release on the matter, which you would also be able to see by clicking the link. Crucially for basketball fans, at this point the league is specific that their plan for winter and spring sports remains unchanged. The situation, of course, remains fluid.

At this point in time, there would be no way for Xavier to play in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut (for instance) because those states are requiring visitors from Ohio to quarantine upon arrival. Expect more orders like that to come and go as local leadership grapples with figuring out the best way to keep people safe from a pandemic that is still out of control in a large portion of the country.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Stay away from people. Pray for Cliff. We aren’t getting basketball if we don’t get this thing under control, and we aren’t getting this thing under control if we don’t make some sacrifices. Further bulletins as events warrant.