AKRON, Ohio — Add the University of Akron to the growing list of Ohio sports teams and colleges affected by the latest COVID-19 surge.
The school has postponed Monday's men's basketball home game against Radford due to coronavirus protocols within its own program. UA made the announcement early Thursday evening, less than 24 hours after the Zips beat Wright State down in the Dayton area.
Just in the last week, Cleveland State was forced to "pause" it's men's basketball operations and cancel two games (including one with Kent State) due to its own COVID issues, while Ohio State scrapped a marquee matchup with Kentucky after a number of Buckeyes tested positive. In the professional ranks, roughly 20 Browns players have contracted the virus and are in danger of missing Saturday's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, and Cavaliers wingman Isaac Okoro entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.
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Akron athletics were sidelined by COVID-19 just last weekend, when a planned women's basketball showdown against CSU was postponed due to rising cases among the Vikings. At this moment, those Zips are scheduled to get back on the court Monday against UT-Martin at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic.
After a 2-3 start that included a close loss to OSU, the UA men are riding a five-game winning streak. They and Radford "are exploring options" to possibly make up their scheduled game, but for now, the Zips next matchup will take place Dec. 29 at Bowling Green in both teams' Mid-American Conference opener.