After the 2020 events were cancelled, colleges are now looking forward to the return of the game amid many restrictions. While hopes have been going up, Ivy League colleges have already confirmed that they would not run any sports during the fall semester, which extends through the middle of December.
Yale head coach James Jones had to break the news to his students, not in person, but rather on Yale. “No games until at least mid-December,” he said, thinking aloud about how the measure would affect the team.
One suggestion is that Ivy teams won’t participate in basketball games until 2021, which is not too bad. Many leagues have already scurried to find ways to return, with all Division I leagues on the lookout for a solution.
The Patriot League, CAA, MEAC, America East, and SWAC have confirmed that they would take a temporary break while the details of the pandemic are being thrashed out. Nevertheless, odd makers have been very consistent in posting up odds and following teams’ new recruits as they expect to see the NCAAB return soon enough.
In fact, you can check NCAA men’s basketball point spreads even today, as sportsbooks are already planning on the NCAA basketball odds despite the somewhat fraught situation.
Despite the Difficulties, Everyone Hopes for a Return
Given the current state of affairs, seeing NCAA basketball return any time soon is a bit of a fool’s errand. Yet, leagues are all pushing for it. Coaches from all levels of men’s college basketball are currently working on ways to see the majority of games return at the beginning of January at the very least.
Many coaches have also pushed for a confirmation that the timeline will be met, or it would make no sense to have athletes preparing for a January restart, many have said. However, most colleges are expecting to have a full student body on campus before 2020 is out.
Coaches have also cautioned that while students may be returning, they may still take their classes remotely, even though they are in physical locations in the colleges. However, many have expressed doubt as to what it would mean for the NCAAB.
Would there be games to bet on college basketball? Or would games just have to wait until some point in 2021. Some have cited risks of a second wave and others are firmly embedded in the rising tally.
There are those colleges and coaches, however, who have confirmed that they are looking for a timely restart of NCAAB which has emboldened fans and players. UMBC coach Ryan Odom has confirmed that this team will be returning and playing later this year, which is great news for anyone who has doubted college players.
However, the makeup of the leagues will have to be charted. Interstate games may have to wait a little, and there will be a much more localized form of competition between top colleges, which is not necessarily bad.
With quite a few challenges yet to sort out, NCAAB is on its way back.
