September 17, 2020
The NCAA Division I Council announced that Division I men’s and women’s basketball can play games starting on November 25th for the 2020-21 season. No exhibition or closed scrimmages will be allowed before that date.
The start date is one-day prior to Thanksgiving and represents a two-week delay rom the original starting date.
“The new season start date near the Thanksgiving holiday provides the optimal opportunity to successfully launch the basketball season,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt. “It is a grand compromise of sorts and a unified approach that focuses on the health and safety of student-athletes competing towards the 2021 Division I basketball championships.”
The Council also provided the maximum number of games that can be played. On the men’s schedule there are some provisions. Three scenarios exists. Teams can schedule 24 games and play in one multiple-team event that includes up to three games. Schools may schedule up to 25 regular-season games and play in a multiple-team event of up to two contests. If a team is not scheduled to play in a multiple-team event, they can play up to 25 regular season games.
In women’s basketball teams can schedule 23 regular-season games and play in one multiple-team event that includes up to four games. Or the school may opt to 25 regular season games if they do not compete in a multiple-team event.
The Council stated that there must be a minimum of 13 games played to be considered for NCAA Championship selection.
The Oversight Committees for men’s and women’s basketball also recommended that the teams play a minimum of four non-conference games.
Waivers to the plan to start the season prior to November 24 may be submitted, but Oversight Committees indicated that waivers will be granted.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCcollegeSports.com
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