Northwestern women's basketball assigned forfeits after not playing UCLA, USC amid wildfires
Northwestern women’s basketball’s January games against UCLA and USC that were not played have been deemed forfeits by the Big Ten, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Wildcats did not travel for their Jan. 12 contest against the Bruins or their Jan. 15 matchup against the Trojans, with the university citing “concerns surrounding ongoing wildfires affecting the greater Los Angeles area.”
The wildfires in southern California had begun three days before Northwestern’s announcement and, in many areas, were weeks away from being contained.
It was the only game on either No. 2 UCLA or No. 3 USC’s schedules that were impacted by the wildfires. The Trojans and Bruins hosted Penn State on Jan. 12 and Jan. 15, respectively.
Due to the Big Ten’s decision, UCLA and USC were given wins for the game against Northwestern, boosting the records of the top-three teams, which are among the handful of favorites to win the national championship.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, fell to 2-15 in the Big Ten, which was reflected on the team's schedule page. However, Northwestern's overall record is still reflected as 9-17.
Big Ten statement on Northwestern forfeits
Here is the Big Ten's statement on Northwestern's forfeits:
"The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday that Northwestern’s women’s basketball contests at UCLA (Jan. 12) and at USC (Jan. 15) will not be rescheduled.
"Per Conference rules, forfeitures will be assessed to Northwestern. As a result, the Wildcats will receive two losses in the conference standings, while UCLA and USC each will be credited with a win."
Northwestern statement on forfeits
“Northwestern Athletics accepts the decision by the Big Ten Conference to strictly apply the Conference bylaws as written, in issuing forfeits for missed competitions by Northwestern’s Women’s Basketball after the team’s decision not to travel to Los Angeles during the tragic wildfires in Southern California,” Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson said in a statement to journalist Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone.
“While we acknowledge that bylaws and rules are in place for a reason and we will abide by them, it does not diminish this team’s sound reasoning for not participating during this natural disaster. We will continue to support our Women’s Basketball student-athletes and hope for a strong recovery for the Southern California region.”
Social media reactions to Northwestern forfeits
While Jackson accepted the Big Ten’s ruling, it drew some criticism from some who believed the Wildcats were punished for not wanting to fly their team across the country to an area impacted by a natural disaster.
Northwestern has just one regular-season game remaining, a March 2 game against Nebraska.