Once again, the novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc on Iona’s college basketball season.
An Iona strength coach tested positive for COVID-19, meaning the program will be quarantined for 14 days, The Post’s Zach Braziller confirmed. This is the second 14-day pause for the Gaels (5-3, 3-1 MAAC).
The quarantine means five Iona games are being postponed, including Tuesday night’s contest against Towson, and it is yet to be determined when — or if — those games will be rescheduled. The Gaels were slated to play back-to-back games against Niagara on Friday and Saturday, followed by another back-to-back set against Quinnipiac on Jan. 8-9.
If the Gaels pass coronavirus protocols, they could be able to return to action for their back-to-back set against Saint Peter’s on Jan. 15-16.
“This is our second covid shutdown,” Iona coach Rick Pitino tweeted. “So many people have lost their loved ones. Hoping this nightmare ends in 2021.”
Another member of the Iona program — not a player — had tested positive for the coronavirus in mid-November, which led to the program’s first 14-day quarantine and the cancellation of the opener against Fordham on Nov. 25.
