NCAA To Explore Potential Start Dates For College Basketball

According to CBSSports.com, the NCAA will be looking into a possible start date for the 2020-21 college basketball season this week. The decisions would be for both men’s and women’s basketball. As with many college sports, it could be postponed to a later date due to the effects of COVID-19.

The four options they will be looking are are as follows:

• Option 1

First practices allowed: Sept. 29

First day of season: Nov. 10 (No change to start of season)

• Option 2

First practices allowed: Oct. 9

First day of season: Nov. 20

• Option 3

First practices allowed: Oct. 14

First day of season: Nov. 25

• Option 4

First practices allowed: Oct. 24

First day of season: Dec. 4

One would suspect that these will be some of the dates they will work with along with others that may come up. For all we know right now, the final date may not be any of these.

From CBSSports.com

“NCAA’s men’s basketball oversight committee and the men’s basketball selection committee are holding separate meetings Wednesday to discuss these potential start dates, among other action items. On Thursday, Division I conference commissioners will hold a meeting to discuss the basketball season, as will the NABC. On Friday, the women’s basketball committee and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association will convene and seek feedback on the recommended models as well.”

Unlike FBS football, the NCAA not only has some control over whether there will be college basketball this year, but also how it will be operated. Those committees will most likely be watching colleges and universities across the country open up over these next few weeks. Also of note, the ability for college football to start will also have some influence over their final decisions in the matter. The success or lack of success in those will most likely help them determine how and when the seasons will start this year. If at all.