Raiders vs. NKU Men’s Basketball Jan. 24 | Photo by Soham Parrikh | The Wright State Guardian
The wait is finally over after the NCAA Division I Council approved a start date of Nov. 25 for college basketball to begin. Teams can officially start full practices on Oct. 14.
Wright State University (WSU) is still awaiting a decision from the Horizon League on the official start date and schedule for the upcoming season.
“Today’s vote by the NCAA Division I Council is the starting point for planning. Now that the Nov. 25 date has been determined, the Horizon League and others can begin crafting what the 2020-21 basketball seasons will look like,” said Athletic Director at WSU Bob Grant.
Amount of games
The start date is 15 days later than the original schedule of college basketball. This will reduce the amount of games that they can play by a maximum of four games.
In men’s basketball, teams can schedule 24 regular-season games and participate in one multiple-team event that includes up to three games, 25 regular-season games and participate in one multiple-team event that includes two games, or 25 regular season games if a team does not play in a multiple-team event.
In women’s basketball, they can schedule 23 regular-season games and participate in one multiple-team event that includes up to four games or schedule 25 regular-season games if a team does not participate in a multiple-team event.
“We are thankful to receive clarity from the NCAA about an official start date. We know there is still a lot of work to be done but we are excited and optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Head Coach of men’s basketball at WSU Scott Nagy.
Championships and tournament
The conference championships and March Madness are where the NCAA makes the majority of their money for the fiscal year.
Regardless of the reduced amount of games, the NCAA is still planning to have conference championships and March Madness this season.
“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,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt.
The announcement of college basketball has brought excitement to the campus and basketball teams at WSU.
