WSU vs. Colorado basketball game postponed

The Washington State Cougars will not be playing their second game of the Pac-12 season — against the Colorado Buffaloes — as scheduled on Saturday, as “recent developments in Washington State University’s COVID-19 protocol,” according to the school, have forced a postponement.

What exactly is meant by “recent developments in Washington State University’s COVID-19 protocol” is not at all clear; it could mean there are positive tests within the program, or it could mean that players came in close contact with someone who tested positive.

The women’s basketball team had its first two games postponed because of an outbreak that put them below the minimum number of players; we know that athletes often run in the same circles, but your guess is as good as mine whether these things are related.

What we do know is that if someone received a positive test, they’d be forced into isolation for 10 days; anyone found to be in close contact with that person would be isolated for 14.

Colorado recently emerged from its own COVID outbreak; the school’s statement says “the Pac-12 Conference will work with both programs to attempt to find a mutually agreeable date to reschedule the contest.”

WSU — which has started the season 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Pac-12 play after beating Oregon State on Wednesday — also has non-conference games coming up against Idaho and Portland State in the next week, which would seem to be in jeopardy.