St. John's COVID-19 issues cause Butler Bulldogs' basketball game to be called off

Butler will not open the Big East basketball season until next week.

The Bulldogs’ scheduled game Thursday at St. John’s was postponed because of COVID-19 issues in the Red Storm program. Butler’s team made the trip to New York City and was preparing to play the game at Carnesecca Arena.

Under previous policy, St. John’s (8-3) would have forfeited and Butler (7-4) awarded a victory.

However, the Big East announced Thursday a game would be canceled if one school had fewer than seven scholarship players and one countable coach available.

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St. John’s previously announced Julian Champagnie, the Big East’s No. 2 scorer, would be sidelined a second game after a positive COVID test. The New York Post reported two other players, forward Joel Soriano and guard Tareq Coburn, tested positive Wednesday. There were apparently additional positives to drop St. John’s below the necessary seven.

The Big East will attempt to reschedule Butler/St. John’s. If that cannot be done, it will be designated no contest.

To date, four Big East men’s games had been designated forfeits, two involving DePaul. Those forfeits are rescinded, and attempts will be made to reschedule the games.

DePaul (9-1) and Butler are to meet Wednesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse (5 p.m., FS1).

During the 2020-21 pandemic season, Creighton (14-6) and Butler (8-12) were the only two teams to play a complete 20-game Big East schedule.

Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball: St. John's COVID issues cause game to be called off