Charlotte 49ers basketball season-opening games canceled, new opener will come Nov. 30 at home

By Richard Walker

The Charlotte 49ers basketball season-opening games at Knoxville, Tenn., scheduled for later this week have been cancelled.

The 49ers were to play No. 12 Tennessee on Thursday and VCU on Friday but the Volunteer Classic have been canceled after the University of Tennessee consulted with the Knox County Health Department due to contact tracing within the Volunteers program.

Tennessee, coached by Hickory native Rick Barnes, paused all team activities on Monday following multiple positive COVID-19 test results among its Tier 1 personnel, which consists of coaches, student-athletes, team managers and support staff.

The positive test results were detected during routine COVID-19 surveillance testing, which is conducted three times a week in accordance with NCAA and SEC guidelines.

Charlotte’s season-opener is now slated for Nov. 30 at home against Belmont Abbey.