Virginia vs. Villanova is canceled

By Jerry Ratcliffe

According to Matt Norlander, of CBS Sports, Virginia’s game with Villanova will not be played as scheduled.

The game was set for Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“Can confirm this. Virginia is out,” Norlander tweeted this evening. “The search is on to get Villanova a team to replace UVA, according to a source.

“UVA has been on COVID pause as of late; intention was to return in time to play this game, but the Cavs will not be able to swing that.”

UVA associate head coach Jason Williford said on a Locker Room Access podcast this week that the Cavaliers hoped to be cleared for practice on Wednesday for the game that would pit No. 17 Virginia vs. No. 7 Villanova.

The Cavaliers haven’t played since an overtime win over Kent State on Dec. 4, and the program has been shut down after one person in the program tested positive for Covid-19.

“If we can get this game in, we’re going to be ready the best we can under the circumstances,” Williford said. “I envision this is how the 2020-2021 basketball season is going to be until the vaccine is distributed.”