Old Dominion men's, women's basketball teams pause due to COVID-19

In what's been a rarity among schools during the coronavirus pandemic, both the men's and women's basketball teams of the Old Dominion Monarchs announced on Thursday that they are pausing activities due to COVID-19 issues.  

Old Dominion confirmed the discovery of positive COVID-19 results among the Tier 1 groups that include players, coaches, managers and support staff. The programs did not disclose how many people tested positive or how long the pause will last. 

As a result, the men's and women's Old Dominion teams won't play scheduled games against the North Texas Mean Green on Friday and Saturday. It remains unknown if the Monarchs will be cleared to face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers/Western Kentucky Lady Toppers on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30. 

Some programs that have reported positive COVID-19 cases among Tier 1 personnel have quarantined for 14 days, but others have returned sooner. 

Makeup dates for the ODU-North Texas matchups will be announced at a later time. 

The Old Dominion men improved to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in Conference USA play with a 61-58 victory over the Rice Owls last Saturday. ODU's women, meanwhile, dropped to 5-5 overall and 2-4 in conference action with a 67-59 loss to Rice on Jan. 16.