St. John’s basketball cancels game against Butler over COVID protocols

Another St. John’s basketball game has been impacted by COVID-19 positive tests. 

The Big East Conference opener for the St. John’s basketball team will have to wait at least another week as the program announced its game on Thursday against Butler has been canceled.

In accordance with the new cancellation policy of the conference, St. John’s did not have the required seven scholarship players available after more tests came back positive on Thursday afternoon.

St. John’s already had Julian Champagnie, Joel Soriano, and Tareq Coburn in its health and safety protocols and scheduled to miss the game.

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Champagnie tested positive last week and missed Saturday’s loss to Pittsburgh. His earliest return would be for St. John’s scheduled game on December 29 against Marquette, although the status of that game is in doubt.

Soriano and Coburn were likely miss games against Butler, Marquette, and Georgetown on January 1.

Given the new positive tests for the Red Storm, and the current pause within the Hoyas program, it seems fair to question if that matchup between the rivals will be played.

St. John’s basketball already accumulating canceled games

St. John’s and Butler game will be counted as a no-contest and the two programs, and the Big East, will look to find a date to reschedule the game.

The Red Storm already had its game on Monday against Seton Hall canceled due to issues with the Pirates. That game was previously deemed a forfeit in favor of the Johnnies but the new rule passed by the Big East changed the outcome to a no-contest as well.

ALSO READ: Big East changes COVID-19 forfeit rule

Five games in the conference have already been canceled after league play started less than a week ago, two involving St. John’s, Seton Hall, and DePaul.

A determination of St. John’s upcoming games will be made at a later date.