Decision is in. No scrimmages or exhibitions will be allowed prior to this date.

Some other aspects of it:

>The Nov. 25 date is only a guideline for the start date, as conferences and individual schools will make adjustments to fit the framework of the Division I Council's plan for the season.

>The Division I Council also changed the maximum number of games a team can play and the minimum number of games required to be considered for NCAA championship selection. The maximum number of games was reduced by four, with teams allowed to play 24 or 25 games, plus one multiple-team event. The minimum number of games was reduced by 50%, dropping to 13 games. There was a recommendation by both the men's and women's basketball committees to play a minimum of four nonconference games (it's unclear whether this was approved).

>Women's teams can schedule 23 games, plus one multiple-team event, or 25 games without a multiple-team event.

>Full preseason practices can begin Oct. 14, with 30 practices permitted over the 42 days before the start of the season. The council also approved a transition period that allows teams to participate in strength and conditioning and skill instruction for up to 12 hours per week between Sept. 21 and Oct. 13.

>The NCAA is still planning for the NCAA tournament to proceed as scheduled, with 68 teams and 14 sites in March and April.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29900866/s...

Thanks for posting those bullet points. Gonna be an odd year, assuming many games exclude fans.

Here's a stupid question. Does the university typically stream all home games? When there are home games, we've always been there, so I ignorantly do not know. Assuming games will have reduced or no fans, I am wondering what is the best way to see the games? Or just listen to Russ and Rob?

Yes, on the ESPN3 package.

Although, Ohio is the only MAC team not to broadcast games while on Christmas break. Reason being, I'm told, is that the necessary manpower isn't in town during break (unlike our counterparts in other MAC towns, I guess).

^The above is my annual rant of Bobcat games not being broadcast on ESPN3/ESPN+ during break.^

I was actually thinking about you and that issue when I was typing that. Yes, it is a manpower issue, they do not even operate the cameras for replay during break.

Thanks for the consideration, BTC.

My question (still unanswered going on 4-5 years) is why is this a problem for Ohio U. but not our MAC brethren?

That's above my pay grade. However, OHIO has the smallest athletic support staff in the MAC and have not put the resources into that department. The broadcast is done by a production class, so it's a student lab. No students over break.

L'ville is looking for 8-12 teams to play 3-5 OOC games each in a bubble there Thanksgiving through Dec 5. ESPN notes that Ohio is a team within driving distance of L'ville that could be part of the bubble. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/2...

Apparently Duke is also considering doing a bubble.

I'll volunteer to run the camera during winter break free of charge.

Is there any thought out there about policies/requirements regarding immunizations once one or more are approved and available?