College basketball fans have seen games cut short, seasons postponed and have even questioned the future of sports amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will have something special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The Division I Council of the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced Wednesday that the 2020-21 men’s and women’s basketball campaigns are set to begin Nov. 25.
“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.