The NCAA is ready to postpone the November 10 start date for college basketball as needed, according to a statement released Monday by Dan Gavitt, senior vice president of basketball.
In mid-September, the governing body will announce its first crucial decision on the upcoming season. Per NCAA scheme, full practices can begin 42 days before a team’s first game. In the statement, Gavitt said “plans” have developed plans that allow the NCAA to move the launch date to practices and games as needed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, the Pac-12 announced that the earliest their teams will play basketball is Jan. 1. Speculation in all-college basketball has centered on schedules for conferences only for multiple leagues.
“In the coming weeks, the NCAA Divisional Committees for Men and Women’s Basketball will take the lead with me in a collaborative process to finalize all recommendations for treatment by the NCAA Division Board prior to the start of the college basketball season,” Gavitt said in the statement. “In mid-September, we will provide direction on the season if exercise begins on time or a short-term delay is required due to the ongoing pandemic.”
Last week, Gavitt told ESPN that NCAA officials had discussed the specifications of a potential NCAA tournament in a bubble, including replacement teams if teams are forced to quarantine because of positive tests for COVID-19. Gavitt said the NCAA prefers a traditional format in March and April, but also considers the cost and logistics of an unconventional arrangement.
The cancellation of last season’s men and women’s postseason tournaments cost the NCAA more than $ 375 million.
“We recognize that we are living and operating at an uncertain time, and it is likely that mid-September will simply be the first milestone for many important decisions regarding the regular season and the NCAA Basketball Championships,” Gavitt said in his statement. “While circumstances can guarantee flexibility, resulting in another and perhaps ineffective season, the ultimate goal is to safely provide student athletes and teams with a great college basketball experience.”
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