The 2020 college basketball season officially has a start date. Division I men’s and women’s basketball teams are allowed to play their first games on Nov. 25, the National Collegiate Athletics Association announced on Wednesday. Teams will be permitted to start holding full practices as early as Oct. 14.
“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.