Illinois Mens Basketball Cancels Game Over New COVID-19 Cases

CHAMPAIGN, IL — As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to surge around Illinois, new confirmed positive cases within the University of Illinois mens basketball program has forced the cancellation of the Illini’s game on Wednesday.

The university announced Monday that Illinois’ game against Florida A&M on Wednesday has been canceled due to new cases of COVID-19. The game will not be made up, the school said.

The school did not say how many positive cases were reported within the program. The program has paused all basketball activities which may put Sunday's Big Ten game at Minnesota in jeopardy. The Illini (9-3) have won seven of their last eight games and are coming off a 25-point victory over Missouri in the annual Bragging Rights game.

Single-game ticket holders for the Florida A&M game who purchased tickets directly from the University of Illinois Ticket Office will be contacted about refund information after January 5, when business operations return to normal hours from the holiday break, the school said.

Illinois basketball season ticket holders, including those seated in premium areas, will be contacted directly at a later point in the season regarding options once it is determined if any additional home games are impacted due to COVID-19. Those who purchased single game tickets from a third party (StubHub, Seat Geek, Vivid Seats, or other similar companies) will need to reach out to those companies directly.

The school also announced that coach Brad Underwood’s radio show which is usually taped live at a local restaurant will be recorded instead at a local radio studio.