The Pac-12 will move to a 20-game conference schedule for men's basketball, starting with the 2020-21 season, as approved Thursday by the Conference Council and Athletic Directors Committee.
The increase from the current 18-game schedule is designed to improve each school’s strength of schedule, with the hope of placing more teams in the NCAA Tournament field. In a news release, deputy commissioner Jamie Zaninovich cited the goals of “enhancing the Pac-12 basketball brand and preparation for postseason play.”
Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak endorsed the 20-game schedule when asked about the proposal in January. Scott Kull, Utah’s deputy athletic director, also spoke in favor of the move because nonconference home games are difficult to market (Kull even suggested a 22-game conference schedule, for that reason).