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Michigan State basketball players ‘disappointed’, ‘let down’ after Virginia cancelation
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College basketball fans were supposed to get a scintillating top 25 game between the fourth-ranked Michigan State Spartans and the eighteenth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, but ate a gut punch instead when Covid-19 issues within the Cavaliers program forced yet another high-profile cancellation.
The game was scheduled as part of the annual, and highly popular, Big Ten/ACC Challenge, a series the Big Ten win in 2020 at six victories to five with three cancellations.
The 5-0 Spartans were disappointed they did not get a chance to compete with the 2019 national champion Cavaliers. Michigan State senior guard Joshua Langford said there was a price to pay mentally and physically after preparing so hard for an event that doesn’t come to fruition.
MSU’s Joshua Langford said it was “a letdown” to not play at Virginia and “tough on everybody’s end.” Said there is a mental effect to spend days preparing for a game and then having the work go for naught.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 11, 2020
Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said the team just has to “adapt and overcome” during difficult circumstances.
The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting almost everyone in one way or another. Izzo expressed disappointment for Joey Hauser, whose brother Sam plays at Virginia. The siblings had been looking forward to competing against each other on a big-time college basketball floor.
MSU’s Tom Izzo: “I guess we’re doing what the military says – you adapt and overcome.” Spartans practiced Wednesday and took Thursday off. Says all were disappointed but especially Joey Hauser not getting to play vs. his brother Sam at Virginia.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 11, 2020
Michigan State’s next game scheduled for Dec. 13 in East Lansing against Oakland University, Detroit.
Mark Schipper is a reporter, sportswriter, and aspiring novelist living in Chicago, Illinois.