Report: Duke women's basketball team ending season amid COVID-19 pandemic
After four games, Duke’s women’s basketball team is calling it a season.
Duke will not play again this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press. The 3-1 Blue Devils had not played since Dec. 9, with all team activities paused on Dec. 16 following two positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.
A total of three games against Miami, N.C. State and UNC-Wilmington were postponed, and a game against Louisville on New Year’s Eve loomed as a potential return date.
The decision makes Duke the first Power Five team to start a season this year and not finish it due to the virus, per the AP.
Duke coaches questioned playing during pandemic
Head coach Kara Lawson has spoken pointedly about playing through a pandemic in the past, once outright saying she didn’t think the season should have been played.
“I don’t think we should be playing right now. That’s my opinion on it,’ Lawson said on Dec. 9 following a blowout loss to Louisville.
Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski has also questioned playing in the current environment, lamenting a lack of leadership and planning heading into the season.
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