By Jaelyn Murry

The No. 13 Missouri men’s basketball team will pause all team activities as a result of COVID-19 protocols, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced Friday. 

‘”This continues to be a challenging time across the college basketball landscape, and it is important that we prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes first and foremost,” Martin said. “In laying out the schedule, the SEC has allowed for a week at the end of the season for the possibility that games would be cancelled, and we look forward to hosting LSU at a later date. Once we can return to competition safely, we will do so.” 

Southeastern Conference COVID-19 protocols have not been taken lightly, as a series of teams have had to drop out of non-conference and conference play this season. 

Missouri was set to host a matchup against Vanderbilt at Mizzou Arena next week, but that game has been postponed as the Tigers will not return to team activities until Wednesday. This consideration to resume play is based upon testing out of quarantine given the Southeastern Conference’s COVID-19 protocol and management requirements. 

As for Missouri’s last game, the Tigers fell to Mississippi State, 78-63, in Starkville, Mississippi. Missouri dropped to 7-2 (1-2) on the season, getting its first road loss of the campaign. Despite that, the Tigers earned four Quad 1 wins this season so far per NCAA net rankings. 

Additionally, Missouri’s Jan. 16 game at Texas A&M is continuing as scheduled pending testing results.

Edited by Emma Moloney