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UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: Andy Katz is reporting more details about what was approved by the Division I Council today:
D-1 Council: Start date of college basketball season: Nov. 25; Start of practice: Oct. 14; Max number of games: 27 (reduced by 4); Minimum number of games: 13; No scrimmages/exhibitions. Recommendation for minimum 4 non-conference. Video breakdown coming w/NCAA SVP Dan Gavitt.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) September 16, 2020
Multiple college basketball reporters are now saying the official beginning of the 2020-21 NCAA basketball season will be November 25th.
More, per sources:
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) September 16, 2020
—NCAA has voted to keep recruiting visits dead/banned until Jan. 1.
—No scrimmages or exhibitions at all this season.
—Regular-season capacity has been reduced by four games
— Teams can start practicing as much as 12 hours per week starting Sept. 21
Source: The official start date of the 20-21 college basketball season will be November 25h.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 16, 2020
Decision is in.
Dana O’Neil of The Athletic is also reporting this date will apply to the women’s side as well.
That date is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which means all the usual holiday college hoops tournaments will be able to begin on time, though not necessarily in the locations with which you’re familiar: The Maui Invitational is now in Indianapolis, and the Battle 4 Atlantis is now in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
That’s not great for those looking for some sunshine during their hoop-head vacations, but it’s great for people that want wall-to-wall basketball instead of interacting with relatives over the Turkey Day weekend. The starting date was scheduled to be Tuesday, November 10th, a week later than usual in 2020.
College basketball usually begins the first Tuesday in November, but this year November 3rd is also Election Day, and there’s a nationwide movement to see more student-athletes and coaches voting. The NCAA is encouraging schools to have November 3rd as a “day off from athletics activity.”