Inside INdiana Business is reporting that the Division I Council of the Indianapolis-based NCAA has approved a November 25 start date for the 2020-2021 men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Additionally, the council approved proposals to move the 2020 fall sports championships to the spring of 2021.
For men’s and women’s basketball, the NCAA says there will be no exhibition or closed scrimmages prior to November 25. Because the season will begin 15 days later than originally planned, the maximum number of games a school can play will be reduced by four.
“Moving the start date back from Nov. 10 is intended to have contests begin when at least three-quarters of Division I schools will have concluded their fall terms or moved remaining instruction and exams online, creating a more controlled and less populated campus environment that may reduce the risk of COVID-19 that can occur between student-athletes and the broader student body population,” the organization said.
Schools will be allowed to begin preseason practice on October 14 and conduct a maximum of 30 practices.
You can learn more about the NCAA’s plan for the men’s and women’s basketball seasons by clicking here.
Additionally, the council approved a package of proposals that recommended moving the championships for numerous fall sports to next spring. The sports include men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s water polo.
The plan must still be approved by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors.
“While no one wanted to see fall championships impacted by the pandemic, the Competition Oversight Committee put a thoughtful proposal in front of the Council which was resoundingly endorsed. We believe we have an appropriate and considerate plan to move fall championship events to the spring, and I look forward to presenting this plan to the Board of Directors next week,” said Council chair Grace Calhoun. “The plan gives maximum opportunities to fall student-athletes to participate in NCAA championships, while preserving access to conferences through automatic qualifications.”
You can learn more about the impact on each individual sport by clicking here.