NCAA Oversight Committee Proposes Nov. 25 Start to Season

[ZagDad84]

From The Slipper Still Fits:

NCAA Oversight Committee Proposes Nov. 25 Start to Season
As of now, Nov. 10 is the “official” starting date.
By Peter Woodburn@wernies Sep 2, 2020, 9:08am PDT

The NCAA oversight committee of both men’s and women’s basketball have both agreed to propose the 2020-21 season start on Nov. 25, CBS Sports reported on Wednesday.

As of now, the season is “scheduled” to start on Nov. 10, but considering that no one has any idea what anything will look like in November, that date is soft—at best.

The proposal from the oversight committees will be send to to the Division I Council, who will make the final decision about delaying the start of the season. If the idea is to provide as much time as possible for the nation to “normalize,” a Nov. 25 start date means teams can begin the season at their holiday tournaments and go from there.

Link: https://www.slipperstillfits.com/202...-date-covid-19

ZagDad

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

College basketball oversight committees update plans to propose Nov. 21 start date for 2020-21 season
The oversight committees met on Friday to finalize a formal proposal that will go to vote on Sept. 16

The women's and men's basketball oversight committees convened again on Friday and decided to change the proposed start date for the 2020-21 season from Nov. 25 up to Nov. 21, sources told CBS Sports. The news was first reported by Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

The two-hour meeting focused in large part around upping the start date to accommodate multi-team events (MTEs), which had been a driving force the past week-plus for reconsidering Nov. 25, a date oversight committees agreed to during their Sept. 1 meeting.

Nov. 23 had also been pushed by some recently, according to numerous sources, as it's the most populated date on the calendar wherein MTEs are scheduled to tip off. One source indicated that Nov. 21 added a couple more MTEs to the pile. On Friday it was put into the oversight committees' proposal package to the Division I Council, which is the governing body that will meet Sept. 16 and ultimately decide whether to accept multiple recommendations surrounding the start of the 2020-21 college basketball season.

The committees also agreed on Friday to reduce the maximum allowable regular-season games for this season. It's normally 31, but now it will be targeted at 28 if a team plays in an MTE, or 26 if it does not. The minimum allowable number of games for postseason consideration is targeted for 13, a number NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt lobbed out as a possibility Thursday on the "Courtside with Dakich and Greenberg" podcast. The stipulation for 13 games, according to one source, is all 13 games must be against Division I competition.

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The committees also will make a recommendation -- but not an outright requirement -- that teams play at least four nonconference games if circumstances reasonably allow for it. This was not a universally agreed to recommendation, but will be part of the proposal nonetheless. The thinking behind this is to encourage every league to seek to play nonconference games in an effort to help with college basketball's metrics and eventual NCAA Tournament selection. A separate source added that powerful programs have been consistently lobbying behind the scenes to allow for as many nonconference games as possible in an effort to normalize the regular season and also provide small schools a chance for more games in an unpredictable schedule climate.

As for crucial COVID-19 testing, the recommended protocol for NCAA Division I basketball is expected to require testing at least three times per week.

There is one potential downside to starting on Nov. 21: by starting on a Saturday, a football weekend would easily overshadow college hoops' start. That would not have been as much the case on Monday, Nov. 23, and certainly not on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

There is no assurance college basketball season can begin in late November, but optimism still runs high throughout the sport that such a goal is achievable, especially as news updates nearly each week with improvements in testing capabilities.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

NCAA to vote on college basketball season start date Wednesday, November 21 expected to be the choice
By Ryan Kelapire@RKelapire Sep 14, 2020, 3:00pm PDT

The NCAA Division I Council will vote on a college basketball start date Wednesday, and Nov. 21 is expected to be the day it proposes, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman and CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.

Previous reports said Nov. 25 was the target date. Nov. 23 was/is an option too because, as Norlander noted, several multi-team events are scheduled to kick off that day.

Late November in general is a good choice because students will be away from campuses for Thanksgiving break, lowering the chance of a college basketball team suffering a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Arizona Daily Star reported that Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller is expecting a Nov. 25 start date, which makes sense since that’s when the NIT Season Tip-Off was supposed to begin and the Wildcats are (were?) one of four teams set to participate.

The season won’t be normal amid the coronavirus pandemic, so Goodman says the NCAA will recommend that teams play at least four non-conference games, while Norlander wrote that only 13 games will be required to be considered for the postseason (though all 13 opponents must be from Division I).

Goodman added that the NCAA will also make a recommendation Wednesday to allow teams to begin eight-hour weeks starting Sept. 21.

As of now, the Pac-12 has postponed all sports until January, but each of its 12 institutions are receiving rapid-testing machines and tests from Quidel Corporation by the end of September that will allow them to do daily testing, probably causing the conference to adjust its return date.

Otherwise, the Pac-12 would be the only Division I conference other than the Ivy League to not be playing basketball this November.

The Pac-12 will also need approval from government officials from California, Washington and Oregon, as contact sports are currently prohibited in those states.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

2020-21 college basketball season to start on Nov. 25 after NCAA vote
The season will start the day before Thanksgiving and the practices can officially begin as early as Oct. 14

Matt Norlander

By Matt Norlander
13 mins ago
1 min read
college-basketball-balls.jpg
Getty Images
The NCAA's Division I Council voted Wednesday to begin the 2020-21 college basketball season on Nov. 25, sources told CBS Sports.

The highly anticipated decision comes five days after the women's and men's basketball oversight committees submitted joint recommendations to start on Nov. 21. But the Council wields the autonomy to make amendments to official proposals and in this case decided the day before Thanksgiving was most proper.

The decision also throws a wrench into nonconference scheduling, as nearly a dozen multi-team events -- including the lauded Maui Invitational -- were scheduled to begin Nov. 23.

With the start date being Nov. 25 that means full-blown practices can start, per NCAA rules, 42 days prior. That equates to Oct. 14 serving as the start of college basketball's preseason.

Recruiting was also discussed on Wednesday and a long-term decision was made. The in-person dead period (meaning no visits) has been extended until Jan 1. Also of interest to coaches: the Council agreed to up the amount of countable athletically related activities (CARA) from eight to 12 hours per week. That will go into effect Monday.

There will be no scrimmages or exhibitions allowed in the preseason, either.

Though the start date is now official, it is not set in stone: if circumstances surrounding the coronavirus situation worsen, college basketball's season could be pushed back again. The Division I Council is next scheduled to meet in mid-October, when it's expected to address men's and women's basketball again and vote as necessary on any potential amendments.

CBS Sports will update this breaking news story.

[ZagDad84]

So, the highlights being:

- Full-blown practices can start, per NCAA rules, 42 days prior. That equates to Oct. 14 serving as the start of college basketball's preseason.

- The in-person dead period (meaning no visits) has been extended until Jan 1.

- There will be no scrimmages or exhibitions allowed in the preseason.

- Though the start date is now official, it is not set in stone: if circumstances surrounding the coronavirus situation worsen, college basketball's season could be pushed back again.

Ok, we have another month before we hopefully will start getting some real Lady Zag info.

FYI, the 2020-2021 Lady Zag roster is up on GoZags.com.

ZagDad

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

DI Council approves Nov. 25 start date for men’s and women’s basketball
NCAA SVP DAN GAVITT:

The Division I Council approved moving the first contest date in Division I men’s and women’s basketball to Nov. 25 for the 2020-21 season.

No exhibition games or closed scrimmages will be allowed before that date. 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.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Updates on the 2020 college basketball season, COVID-19 news

The maximum number of contests was reduced by four, given that the season will start 15 days later than originally scheduled. 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 up to two games; or 25 regular-season games if a team does not participate in a multiple-team event.

In women’s basketball, teams 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 compete in a multiple-team event.

Teams will meet sport sponsorship requirements and be considered for NCAA championship selection if they play 13 games, which represents a 50 percent reduction of the current minimum. For NCAA championship consideration, all 13 games must be against another Division I opponent. The Division I Men's Basketball and Division I Women's Basketball committees also recommended teams play a minimum of four nonconference games.

“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.”

Programs can begin preseason practice on Oct. 14 and will have 42 days to conduct a maximum of 30 practices. During this time, players can work out up to 20 hours per week, four hours per day, and must have one day off per week. This model is generally consistent with the normal preseason practice period but permits additional flexibility for all teams to begin full practice on Oct. 14, regardless of when their first scheduled game occurs.

Council members also approved a transition practice period between current out-of-season activities and preseason practice. This transition period is designed to provide additional time for players to prepare for the upcoming season based on the mental and physical challenges basketball players are facing as a result of the pandemic. The transition period will occur Sept. 21-Oct. 13, and teams may participate in strength and conditioning activities, sport-related meetings and skill instruction for up to 12 hours a week, with an eight-hour limit on skill instruction. Players must have two days off per week during the transition period.

While the waiver process exists for schools to request to play games prior to the Nov. 25 start date, the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee have indicated they are unlikely to support such waivers.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

So the Lady Zags play 18 conference games. That means if we take advantage of scheduling guidelines we could play up to 9 non conference games. Four of the non conference games would have to be in a multi team event.

If we do not participate in a multi team event the Lady Zags Basketball team would lose 2 games and only be allowed to play 25 games regular season games.

Good news Lady Zags Basketball starting 21 Sept. can practice on court basketball skills 8 hours over a 5 day period ever week, then 2 days off.

Then on 14 October Lady Zags Basketball Team resumes normal full practice guidelines.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Thats right Lady Zags fans next Monday 21 Sept. our Lady Zags our back in business. Hope to see a few pictures of our Lady Zags on the court on a weekly basis to keep us motivated, to include our newest team members.

Now its time for the Lady Zag Basketball schedulers to get busy and arrange us a great non conference schedule.

[ZagDad84]

Great Info.

Thanks ZAB.

ZagDad

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Guessing the Lady Zags will start their season in a four game tournament somewhere. It will be nice to play against other good teams out of the gate. We will have plenty of experience returning, CLF has 2 months to get them back into basketball shape, while getting the 4 new players accustomed to the Lady Zags Basketball.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Good news PAC-12 is allowing football, basketball, etc to return. So back to scheduling looks like we have a option to play Stanford again this year, if both teams agree to a date.

Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons
by Pac-12 Conference
Sep 24, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO - The Pac-12 CEO Group announced today that based upon updated Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee recommendations that take into account material changes to testing capabilities, the prevalence of COVID-19 and cardiac issues, along with updated state and local health official guidance, the Conference will resume its football, basketball and winter sport seasons. The football season may now commence for those teams that have the necessary state and local health approvals on November 6, men’s and women’s basketball on November 25 consistent with the NCAA’s official start date for these sports, and other winter sports consistent with the NCAA season dates for those sports. The decision follows a meeting of the CEO Group last week where the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee presented its updated health and safety recommendations (available here), along with the CEO Group having reviewed details on the rollout of the previously announced Quidel daily rapid-results testing program.

For universities utilizing daily antigen testing, at least one weekly PCR test will also be administered for each student-athlete, in addition to all positive tests to be confirmed with a PCR test. All testing recommendations will be reviewed and updated as needed on an ongoing basis.

The August 11 decision of the Pac-12 CEO Group to postpone sport competitions was based upon three central concerns cited by the Medical Advisory Committee: consistent testing capabilities across all Pac-12 universities, the prevalence of the virus in Pac-12 communities and nationally, and concerns related to possible cardiac concerns potentially associated with COVID-19. The decision to resume sport competitions today is based upon updated Medical Advisory Committee recommendations that point to material improvements in each of these three areas, along with updated state and local public health guidance.

In addition to the consistent access to sufficient testing across all Pac-12 programs, community prevalence has shown continued improvement in the majority of communities across the Pac-12 footprint. To address concerns regarding potential health outcomes related to the virus, each Pac-12 sports medicine group will be implementing cardiac monitoring protocols for all student-athletes with a positive test. The Pac-12 institutions are also participating in a national COVID-19 cardiac registry which will allow for medical practitioners to monitor closely, and gain greater insight into, potential health outcomes in student-athletes.

With respect to football, there was agreement that these advances permitted either a fall or a winter season. After extensive discussion of the relative merits of the two approaches, a strong preference emerged for a fall season, and the CEOs unanimously agreed to proceed with that schedule.

No fans will be permitted at any sporting competition taking place on Pac-12 campuses. The decision to not allow fans at competitions will be revisited based upon health and safety considerations in January 2021.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority,” said Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and University of Oregon President Michael Schill. “Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today’s decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety.”

“From the beginning of this crisis, our focus has been on following the science, data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer in enabling us to move forward with confidence that we can create a safe environment for our student-athletes while giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. At the same time, we will continue to monitor health conditions and data and be ready to adjust as required in the name of the health of all.”

The Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee concluded in its updated recommendations that “the conditions for the resumption of contact/competition can be met by the institutions when antigen testing is available on each campus. We believe access to near-daily rapid point of care testing for contact sports will significantly improve our ability to prevent transmission of COVID during higher risk of transmission activities and reduce the risk of travel.”

In the sport of football, Pac-12 universities with the necessary public health approvals may commence practice immediately with a seven game Conference-only season to begin on November 6, and the Pac-12 Championship Game on December 18, enabling Pac-12 teams to be considered for selection by the CFP. The football schedule will be released in the coming days.

In the sport of men’s and women’s basketball, the season will begin on the NCAA official start date of November 25. Further details regarding basketball schedules will be released in the near future.

For the Winter sports of wrestling, women’s gymnastics, and men’s & women’s swimming and diving, each university will determine when practice may commence in accordance with local public health official guidance and the situation on campus. Final competition schedules will be released for those sports at a later date. Fall sports for which post-season championships were postponed by the NCAA until the spring will be conducted starting January 2021, with preparation and practice occurring during the fall as permitted by NCAA rules.

In all cases, competition with non-conference opponents will be contingent upon such non-conference opponents implementing minimum testing protocols in accordance with NCAA and Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee recommendations.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Come on CLF keep your fanbase engaged, could we please get a few pictures at the end of each week showing your players on the court shooting or doing something with the basketball. Well CLF we will let it slide this week being it was the first week of school for your 3 kids, and first week of school ever for your darling little daughter. This year is going to be hard for the fans help us out please in this regard.

Also CLF could we get photos of our four new players for the Lady Zags next to their names on the roster on the Lady Go Zags website. Thanks coach.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Was out of town for 5 days and was tickled pink when I went to the Go Lady Zags web site when I came home. CLF really came through for the Lady Zag fans. First she had pictures put on the roster for all four new players. Next she showed us pics from Lady Zags official picture day. Then to top it off she gave us four action shots on the court of four players. One photo was of a new player #24 McKayla Williams, #13 Cierra Walker (I think), Jill Townsend, and one of the Wirth twins. Thanks so much CLF to allowing the fan base in to weekly visuals so we can keep tabs on our Lady Zags, and in turn keeping us motivated by doing so.

And of course we get to have the fun of speculating on pictures. The one picture of a Wirth twin was great it showed one of the Wirth twins had really been grinding on the court, loaded with sweat, and striking a serious I mean business pose. Ok Zag fans now comes the ten million dollar question do you know which Wirth twin it is in the picture?

More speculation in Jill Townsend photo she had a thigh heavily wrapped, but the good news is she was on the court, and looking fit. Looking forward to more once a week photos to keep us engaged thanks again to CLF for tasking caring of the Lady Zag fans.

[Zagineer]

..... Ok Zag fans now comes the ten million dollar question do you know which Wirth twin it is in the picture?

I'm going to say its Jenn. Her hair is parted slightly to the right of center. LeeAnne parts her hair to the left of center. The difference in hair parting used to be more prominent in past years. But now, they both seem to be converging on dead center, making it more difficult for us to tell who is who.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/ZagWBB/phot...9416908750618/

Looking at their most recent photos in the Roster at gozags.com, I'm not so certain its Jenn. My wife says its LeeAnne.

[SkipZag]

I’ll play...

I agree with Zagineer, I (think) it’s Jenn.

It is tough to tell one from the other unless they are together... then I can tell.

One way or another you have a pair of gamers that are working very hard at prepping for the season...
I think this years seniors are going to show us why the coaching staff rely on them as they do. Lots of senior leadership this year.

Lets play ball!!

Go Zags!!

[SkipZag]

I’m with you Zagineer, I (think) it’s Jenn...

Abby O’Connor.... is she redshirting? If not, why not... we are loaded this year and sure could use her in next years senior class.

Time to play ball!!

Go Zags!!

[Zagineer]

..... Abby O’Connor.... is she redshirting? If not, why not... we are loaded this year and sure could use her in next years senior class.

Go Zags!!

The latest release of the team roster on gozags.com lists her class as Senior, which is correct, but makes no mention of red shirting this year.

Here is a link to a short article on the subject from the Loyola Phoenix school newspaper last April, in which it states, "Due to NCAA transfer rules, O’Connor has to sit out the 2020-21 season."

http://loyolaphoenix.com/2020/04/abb...l-for-gonzaga/

I have not found any similar statements in any of the GU-based articles.

I'm in the process of updating the Roster in the "Looking at this year's Roster" thread to keep it up-to-date with the information in the gozags.com roster. I'm going to continue to show Abby as red shirting in 2020-2021 and playing her redshirt senior year in 2021-2022, until I find out otherwise.

.

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

So far two tidbits on nonconference games both on the Zags mens basketball side they will be playing Baylor and Iowa. Nothing so far on the Zags women's non conference basketball side. Still hoping we play Stanford and that we will face good teams in our 3 game tournament. Maybe the Lady Zags will start giving us a little taste of non conference opponents soon, like the Mens Zags are currently doing.

[ZagDad84]

From GoZags:

Gonzaga's non-conference schedule will be released in the near future.

Patience my friend,

ZagDad

[ZAGS ATTACK BASKET]

Well are still getting more info. about the Mens Zags Basketball non-conference schedule they will be playing Baylor, Iowa, Auburn. They will be playing in a four game tournament in Orlando where their will be 4 teams Auburn, Houston, Texas Tech, and the Zags. If both the Zags and Texas Tech win their first games they will then face each other.

Still no info on the women side. Maybe because they are waiting for schedules to come out for Pac-12, because we would love to face Stanford as usual. But we are waiting to see if each teams schedules jive to manage that perhaps. Close games are not always the remedy IE Washington State which has not been handling the pandemic well.

What 4 game tournament the Lady Zags can get into is going to be huge. The tournament could be the one shot at playing some good competition outside our conference and build our resume. And of course consideration must be taken on safe guards provided at the tournament site testing, bubble type requirements etc.

From another thread here we got this Twitter info: For Zags Men Basketball

Nov 27 vs Auburn (Orlando)
Nov 29 vs Texas Tech/Houston (Orlando)
Dec 2 vs Tennessee (Orlando)
Dec 5 vs Baylor (Indianapolis)
Dec 8 vs Tarleton State (Spokane)
Dec 19 vs Iowa (South Dakota)

Still waiting for some info. on Zags Women Basketball Non-conference guess they are having a harder time scheduling.

[ZagDad84]

For those who did not read the ESPN article included on the thread "Conference Schedule is Out" (link posted by Bigfooot), here is some information provided by CLF on the what the Non-Conference Schedule for the Lady Zags might look like:

Waiting game wreaks havoc on women's college basketball nonconference schedules
Graham Hays
ESPN.com
Oct 12, 2020

Before learning her conference schedule, Fortier was already planning for bubbles, or at least quasi-bubbles, to be a core component of her nonconference scheduling. In conjunction with the Big Sky, Big West, Mountain West and WAC, the WCC is expected to participate in a bubble-type scenario in Las Vegas for both men's and women's basketball. Again, the end result might not duplicate the airtight environments of pro leagues this summer. But it would centralize testing and cut down on travel for those involved.

Even for Gonzaga, which has traveled by private plane since Graves was head coach, and where Fortier said the athletic department has thus far been spared from the draconian cost-cutting measures already seen at other schools, a traditional schedule isn't viable. The Bulldogs aren't going to fly to Laramie, Wyoming, for a midweek game, as they did last December.

"For us, with testing and travel, that's not a viable option for us," Fortier said of the old model. "We're not going to play a bunch of single games. I think more people are going to lean toward let's find multiple games in one spot. I know a lot of people are interested in that."

Fortier also suggested WCC coaches had at least talked about the idea of bubbles within conference play, although that wasn't part of the league's schedule announcement. And unless conferences across the board employ something along those lines, and there are no reports to suggest that is imminent, the more consequential bubbles this season might be those described by UCLA coach Cori Close, also a member of the Division I Women's Basketball Oversight Committee.

"I think we're all trying to think like a bubble on our institutional campuses, with as much as it can be with what is under our control," Close said. "I know we are, in terms of how we're doing housing, how we're doing food. Every aspect is trying to mitigate risk. One of the best ways to mitigate risk is to make it as bubble-ish as possible."

Part of the reason the NCAA moved the start of games to Nov. 25 was because so many campuses will be largely empty at that time -- the NCAA estimating 76% of schools will either have shifted to online-only instruction and exams or be out of term through December.

But while bubbles might be the answer for nonconference events and the postseason, the real challenge of a season that stretches for around four months is going to come on campuses.

"As we get closer to Nov. 25, we can't survive a spike," Close said. "In a sport like basketball, it's not like football where you can segment a group of guys off. If one person in our, as they call it, Tier 1, which is your most immediate subculture and little bubble, if one person gets it, you're pretty much isolated as a group for 14 days. There's really not much margin for error."

You can read the entire article here: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...ence-schedules

It was great to see CLF and IUPUI coach Austin Parkinson grouped with all the power 5 conferences in the article. CLF was quoted more than any other coach in the article. Props to the coach.

ZagDad