Syracuse Orange male basketball player tests positive for COVID-19

Just hours before Syracuse Orange’s men’s basketball game against the Niagara Purple Eagles, SU Athletics announced that a member of the men’s basketball team had tested for COVID-19. As a result, the unnamed player and others determined by the contact tracing will not be playing the game against Niagara and for the foreseeable future.

While the unnamed player has yet to be revealed, Mike Waters of Syracuse.com has confirmed that Buddy Boeheim is one of the people to be identified through contact tracing and will not be playing in the game.

Jim Boeheim has criticized COVID-19 protocols, especially after the Orange only had one training session before their opener against Bryant last week due to a program stoppage. He mentioned that complete stoppages due to a positive test would “destroy” the college basketball season. As is the case here, Syracuse is still set to play against Niagara despite the confirmed COVID-19 test.

We have James at the Carrier Dome tonight to report on the game, so follow him on Twitter (@JamesSzuba) for updates throughout the game and more information on who tested positive and who will not appear for the Orange.