Air-quality issues cancel Detroit Mercy-Cal basketball game

Detroit Mercy men's basketball made the cross-country trip to Cal-Berkeley.

But there was to be no game.

Less than three hours before the scheduled tip-off between the teams Thursday night, the game was cancelled because of serious air-quality concerns in the wake of the devastating northern California wildfires.

Smoke had "infiltrated" Haas Pavilion, according to Cal officials.

More:State hoops notes: At Detroit Mercy, one Davis down, one Davis up

Detroit Mercy received word of the cancellation shortly after its pregame shoot-around Thursday night. The Titans flew into California on Wednesday.

There was no immediate word if the game, part of the Legends Classic tournament, will be made up. Organizers were still working through the logistics late Thursday.

Several schools cancelled classes in the Berkeley area Thursday, because of the air quality, which had reached dangerous levels, according to Cal. A photo from a Detroit Mercy employee provided to The News showed a very hazy sky, and it wasn't foggy.

Detroit Mercy plays a Legends Classic home game Monday, against Loyola (Md.), and then plays either Bowling Green or Hampton on Tuesday. Those will be the first home games of the season for the Titans (0-3).

Cal is scheduled to play Stanford on Saturday. It's unclear if that game will take place.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984