The Louisville basketball bubble has officially burst.
Louisville basketball ran into their first COVID related issues over the summer, when multiple positive tests forced a 14-day shutdown. Since that time all has been on the up and up for Chris Mack and the Cards. Thanks to diligent work from the athletic training staff and the University of Louisville, there’s been no disruptions or major issues, unlike so many other programs, allowing them to get through four games smoothly.
When the announcement of the Wade Houston Classic, aka the Louisville basketball bubble, was announced it gave everyone a sense of hope that games could go on without issue. Thanks to state of the art hotels and facilities connected to the KFC Yum! Center it appeared that the MTE (multi-team event) would be constructed to last.
After over a week of action, including four wins for Louisville basketball, the issues in the bubble with COVID have progressed cancelling multiple games, including the Cards matchup with UNC Greensboro which was set for today.
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On Wednesday morning we learned that Prairie View A&M, who Louisville had just faced on Sunday evening, had begun dealing with COVID related issues which forced them to cancel their final two games and leave the bubble. That was obviously a bad sign for Louisville and just two days later an official announcement from Kenny Klein and the University of Louisville confirmed our worst fears; a positive case.
“The University of Louisville men’s basketball team has paused all team-related activities indefinitely due to a positive COVID-19 test and accompanying contact tracing measures among individuals within the program, UofL Vice-President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra announced on Thursday. As a result, the Cardinals’ scheduled Friday (Dec. 4) game against UNC Greensboro has been cancelled.
The pause in activities follows a positive test, subsequent quarantining, and contact tracing within the Cardinals’ “Tier 1” individuals, which consists of student-athletes, coaches, team managers and staff. The team is adhering to the outlined protocols within the ACC Medical Advisory Group report.
The positive test result was detected during the team’s Thursday’s COVID-19 testing, which is conducted three times per week in accordance with ACC protocols.
“We are adhering to the ACC and university protocols, and will monitor the matter day-to-day,” said Tyra.“
With the MTE all but coming to an end, the question hanging around is now what?
Louisville basketball: Understanding “Tier 1”
First, let’s understand what it means to have a “tier 1” positive test.
According to the NCAA’s official website a “tier 1″ test is the highest exposure tier and consists of individuals for whom physical distancing and face coverings are not positive or effective during athletic training or competition. Examples of relevant individuals include student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials.”
The site goes on to mention that following a positive Tier 1 test from an individual it is suggested that all other tier 1 individuals quarantine as soon as the results are known for a period of 14 days. That then is followed up by contact tracing immediately to determine who was at a high-risk of exposure.
When a Tier 1 individual tests positive, it is suggested that all other Tier 1 individuals quarantine as soon as the results are known for a period of 14 days, with contact tracing beginning immediately to determine who was subject to a high-risk exposure.
Here’s the interesting part about that. It is currently recommended that a 14-day pause take place, which we’ve seen other programs like Seton Hall, Iona, Tennessee follow. However, it is not necessarily a requirement until the contract tracing and subsequent testing takes place and the level of exposure is determined.
Louisville announced in its press release on Thursday evening that all team-related activities would be paused indefinitely, but did not include any mention of how long that pause may last.
Should that type of pause be needed it would come when Louisville is set to enter a stretch of challenging games, including their first road matchup with No. 4 Wisconsin, and then their first ACC game of the year against NC State. As we heard a ton leading up to the Seton Hall game, 14-day pauses are exactly what they sound like: No basketball activities whatsoever.
Louisville basketball trying to keep momentum
While having a positive test is never a good thing no matter what your teams record is, this particular test comes at a time where Louisville has built a lot of momentum. After picking up four straight wins against Evansville, Seton Hall, PVA&M, and Western Kentucky, the Cards were looking to escape the bubble with a 5-0 record.
Now, things could completely change if a pause is indeded warranted.
The 14-day pause is a very real possibility for Louisville basketball but at this point there is no way to be 100% sure that will take place. As we saw following Gonzaga’s season opener, teams have played after positive tests at the tier 1 level. That has clearly been a very widely criticized decision, although according to an article from USA Today, came with “blessing of local health officials and medical staffs from both schools.”
One positive takeaway from this scenario is that Louisville will have an opportunity to get healthy. Guard Charles Minlend is slated to return from an injury around Christmas time; backcourt mate Josh Nickelberry has been day-to-day since the start of the season; Sophomore guard Samuell Williamson could return to the starting lineup as well by the Cards’ next game.
As a Louisville basketball fan, it stinks to have to deal with stoppages when the team appeared so comfortable to start the season. However, having a healthier team when play resumes would not be such a bad thing.
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