The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE NCAA college basketball season continues to be in flux due to consistent cancellations and several Bahamian players continue to see their programmes affected.

Franco Miller Jr’s Florida Gulf Coast Eagles and Charles Bain’s Robert Morris Colonials both had games postponed this week due to positive tests within their respective programmes.

The Eagles have not played since December 22 and had their ASUN conference opening home series against North Alabama January 1-2 and a road trip to Liberty January 8-9 were postponed due to a positive COVID-19 result and contact tracing within the programme’s Tier 1 group.

The official ASUN opener for the Eagles will now be January 15-16 against Bellarmine at home at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Florida.

“While we are disappointed not to be playing this week, this is an unfortunate scenario that has played out through all of college sports this year,” said Eagles head coach Michael Fly.

“I appreciate all the work our Athletics Sports Medicine unit, the University medical staff, and the Florida Department of Health have done to keep our student athletes and staff safe. We will undertake the appropriate measures so that we can return to play following the 14-day period.”

“Every missed opportunity to compete disappoints us. We want our student athletes to play,” said ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart. “Postponing play is the safe and responsible step, but always disappointing. We have plans to adjust and will work throughout the season to maximise the playing options for all ASUN student athletes.”

In his first season with the Eagles, Miller - the redshirt sophomore guard - is averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Bain and the Colonials had a January 2 matchup against Milwaukee postponed and now the series between RMU and IUPUI this weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana has been cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the RMU programme.

Bain entered his senior season as RMU’s active leader in points (742) and rebounds (385) with a chance to become the 16th member of RMU 1,000- point, 500-rebound club.

He has struggled this season and played in just three of six games. He has yet to score in double figures this season and has averaged 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game thus far.