INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The NCAA Division I Council on Wednesday (Sept. 16) approved a Nov. 25 start date for the 2020-21 men's and women's basketball seasons. The new start date was approved following recommendations from the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Oversight Committees.
"The new season start date near the Thanksgiving holiday provides the optimal opportunity to successfully launch the basketball season," NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said. "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."
According to the committees, this move was designed to begin competition "when at least three-quarters of Division I institutions will have either 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 ..."
There are three scheduling options for D1 men's basketball and two for D1 women's basketball for 2020-21.
For men's programs, the schedule may include:
- 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.
For women's programs, the schedule may include:
- 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 may begin preseason practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14 with a transition period taking place from Sept. 21 to Oct. 13. Exhibitions and scrimmages before Nov. 25 will not be allowed.
For the most up-to-date information on the Penn State men's and women's basketball programs, visit GoPSUSports.com.