NCAA Press Release
The NCAA Division I Council has approved moving the first contest date in Division I men's and women's basketball to Nov. 25 for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The new start date was approved following recommendations from the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Oversight Committees.
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 Division I Men's and Women's Oversight Committees said.
"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."
Here are some of the schedule changes made for the 2020-21 season:
- Programs can begin preseason practice on Oct. 14.
- This is a 42-day window to conduct 30 practices at most.
- A transition period will take place from Sept. 21 to Oct. 13 between out-of-season activity and preseason practice.
- Teams may partake in conditioning, sport-related meetings and skill instruction for up to 12 hours a week.
- Skill instruction may not exceed eight hours a week. Athletes must receive two days per week during this period.
- Exhibitions and scrimmages before Nov. 25 will not be allowed.
- There are three scheduling options in DI men's basketball.
- 24 regular-season games and up to three games in one multi-team event.
- 25 regular-season games and up to two games in one multi-team event.
- 25 regular-season games without playing in a multi-team event.
- There are two scheduling options in DI women's basketball.
- 23 regular-season games and up to four additional games in one multi-team event.
- 25 regular-season games without participating in a multi-team event.
- Teams must play a minimum of 13 games against DI opponents to be considered for NCAA championship selection.
