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On Sunday, according to college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, Arizona State withdraw from its opening game against No. 2 Baylor in the Empire Classic due to COVID-19 concerns.
Arizona State is withdrawing from the Empire Classic due to medical concerns involving Baylor, per source. Sun Devils were slated to open with Bears. Still a chance ASU plays at Mohegan Sun with different matchups.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 23, 2020
On Sunday afternoon, Baylor head coach Scott Drew announced that he had tested positive for the virus and was asymptomatic. No other Bears players or staff members had received positive results, but the situation has to be monitored closely over the coming days.
Jon Rothstein then reported on Monday that Baylor will not participate in the Empire Classic. It’ll be Villanova, Boston College and Arizona State with a fourth team to be determined.
Sources: The 2020 Empire Classic is now moving forward with building an event around Villanova, Boston College, Arizona State, and a fourth team that is TBD. https://t.co/A09Z8cNtkJ
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 23, 2020
ASU then made it official by announcing that Rhode Island will play the Sun Devils this Wednesday, Nov. 25 with tip-off set for 5 p.m. local time.
Empire Classic schedule update pic.twitter.com/YMVRcj7WvC
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 24, 2020
*Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information since its original publication.