Arizona head coach Adia Barnes calls her Wildcats to the sideline for talk as things get nervy in the final minutes against Utah in their Pac 12 basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 22, 2021.

The 10th-ranked Arizona women’s basketball team won’t play USC or UCLA in Los Angeles this week as the Wildcats continue to deal with COVID-19 issues within their own program. The Wildcats were scheduled to play the Trojans on Friday and the Bruins on Sunday.

The UA announced the postponements at 9 p.m. Tuesday while also canceling coach Adia Barnes’ weekly scheduled media availability. Barnes taped her radio show Tuesday before the announcement was made.

In total, four of Arizona’s games have been postponed so far this season. The Cats did not play at Washington earlier this month because of coronavirus issues with the Huskies.

β€œThe news of the cancellation is very disappointing to the student-athletes, coaches and fans,” the UA said in a release. β€œHowever, health and safety must remain our top priorities as we move forward.”

Whatever issues the UA is facing came about Saturday morning, hours after the Wildcats topped Utah in McKale Center.

By the end of the day, the UA canceled Sunday’s game against Colorado.

Arizona (11-2 overall, 9-2 Pac-12) and No. 6 Stanford (12-2, 9-2) remain tied atop the Pac-12 Conference standings.

The UA’s next game is scheduled for Feb. 5 at Oregon State.


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