Duke basketball not impacted by COVID-19 pause within football program

Duke basketball is not impacted by the COVID-19 pause within the football program. 

Minutes before the Duke basketball team tipped off the ACC Tournament against Boston College on Tuesday afternoon, news broke that the football program is temporarily suspending spring practice because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Blue Devils began practices on February 26 and completed a total of three workouts prior to the pause.

Duke never experienced a COVID-19 pause within its program during its 2020 regular season.

However, the reason why this could have had an impact on the Blue Devils tipping off in Greensboro was that Duke is the only team not residing in Greensboro for the duration of the ACC Tournament, rather making the trip from Durham each day.

ALSO READ: Duke players earn high honors despite disappointing year

Duke is housing its men’s basketball players in the Washington Duke Inn, the same hotel on the Duke campus where members of the football program are residing this year.

As the Blue Devils were in the midst of their 81-56 victory over Boston College, many speculated whether or not Duke would remain in Greensboro instead of traveling back to Durham in the midst of the COVID news.

However, following Duke’s win, the ACC Network reported that the Blue Devils would be going back to Durham as the basketball team and football team live on different floors and different sides of the hotel.

Duke basketball hoping to avoid debilitating COVID-19 pause

The pause within the football team is one of the few known COVID-19 pauses within the Duke athletics program this season.

Duke’s women’s basketball team had a brief COVID-19 pause, which resulted in the season being canceled upon the decision from the players.

The Lady Blue Devils have practiced and participated in workouts after deciding to withdraw from the season.

Duke men’s basketball program has never seen its team go on pause because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hopefully, the COVID-19 cluster in Durham does not affect the Duke basketball program as the Blue Devils are trying to make history at the ACC Tournament with five wins in five days to capture the conference championship.

Tipoff between the Blue Devils and Louisville Cardinals is slated for 6:30pm EST (ACC Network) on Wednesday, March 10.