University of California Irvine guard Evan Leonard (14) fouls UCLA guard Prince Ali (23 while shooting in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

UC Irvine’s men’s basketball games against Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara will not be played at this time due to COVID-19 protocols, the university announced today.

The Anteaters were to play host to Cal State Northridge Thursday and UC Santa Barbara Saturday at the Bren Events Center to begin Big West Conference play. Options for ticket holders will be forthcoming. People with questions regarding tickets are asked to email [email protected]. UC Irvine is next scheduled to play Jan. 6 at UC Davis.

The Anteaters’ game at Buffalo scheduled for Dec. 21 was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols and an abundance of caution for the health and safety of the players. Efforts will be made by both schools to agree upon a future date, according to UC Irvine. UC Irvine has not played since Dec. 19, when it lost to Duquesne, 76- 54, at Akron, Ohio.