Penn State Athletics: Michigan Pause Set to Alter Nittany Lion Basketball and Hockey Schedules

Michigan Athletics announced late Saturday night that the entire department will undergo a two-week pause of all team activities and competitions, a decision that will impact at least two Penn State teams.

“Under a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) decision made Saturday (Jan. 23), the University of Michigan Athletic Department will immediately pause athletic activities in all sports, including games, team and individual training sessions, until further notice and up to 14 days,” A press release states.

“While U-M has worked diligently on testing and reporting within state and Big Ten Conference guidelines, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is mandating a more aggressive strategy for this B.1.1.7 variant, which exceeds current program efforts designed around the standard form of the virus.”

Penn State has three athletic contests slated for the immediate future against Michigan programs, the most immediate a Wednesday night men’s basketball game at Bryce Jordan Center on January 27. That contest was recently rescheduled following a previous postponement earlier in the month.

Instead, the Nittany Lions will face Ohio State at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Columbus for a game rescheduled from earlier this month.

In addition, Penn State men’s hockey is slated to face Michigan in Ann Arbor on February 3 and 4, just days prior to the conclusion of the 14-day pause.

It’s unclear at this time if the conference will reschedule games in the place of those postponed contest.