Iona to shut down for two weeks, potentially cancel four games due to positive Covid test

By ADAM ZAGORIA

The Rick Pitino Era at Iona will have to wait a little while.

The men’s basketball program plans to shut down for two weeks and potentially cancel its first four games due to a positive Covid test from a member of the support staff, a source said.

The NCAA recommends a 14-day pause if a Tier-1 person associated with a team tests positive.

Iona issued the following release after ZAGSBLOG first broke the news.

Official statement from @IonaGaelsMBB on the positive Covid test pic.twitter.com/zPgfAvaHLh

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) November 12, 2020

The Gaels were set to open the Pitino Era Nov. 25 at Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym, followed by three games at the Mohegan Sun Arena beginning Nov. 29, including two against Buffalo and Vermont.

After that, their next game is Dec. 5 against Wagner, followed by Dec. 8 at Hofstra.

Iona is the latest Northeastern team to pause activities due to a Covid test. Seton Hall and UConn of the Big East both paused activities, while Villanova and Marquette previously did.

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