On Sept. 16, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) voted on playing the 2020-21 basketball season. After much debate, the committee decided to start the season on Nov. 25, while practice is able to be held as early as Oct. 14. Most people thought there would be no season at all.
“I thought that the committee would push our season back to January so we would only be playing conference games,” said senior guard Jayla Davis. “At one point, I did think we weren’t going to have a season with COVID-19 getting more serious.”
Men’s basketball head coach Anthony Latina explains that this time away from basketball gives his team a new perspective on the upcoming season.
“I don’t know if it is a different type of intensity from the team but it is definitely a much different perspective. The level of gratitude and appreciation is probably greater than it ever has been.”
Latina believes his players realize that things can change and also be taken away at any given moment. Knowing this has strengthened their focus, but it has also helped them not to take this opportunity for granted.
The committee agreed that teams will play a 27 games schedule instead of 31 games. Each conference will decide on their own regard
“I don’t think having fewer games will affect our team toward playoff time. We have a lot of returners on the team that know how playoffs feel,” said Davis. “Since our season ended last year right when we got our momentum going, we know this year we want to win a championship.”
Women’s head coach Jessica Mannetti understands that despite the absence of training over the summer, the SHU Athletic Department and the Athletic Training & Strength Conditioning programs have done a tremendous job guiding the athletes back to competing safely and healthily. This was done with their “Return to Play” protocols.
The beginning of the season occurs when students head home for winter break. Having less people on campus will make the possibility of contracting COVID-19 rare.
“It will be a challenge in terms of developing a team chemistry as quickly as we normally would expect to have it down, considering we all just met as a unit not even three weeks ago for the first time,” said senior guard Zach Radz. “However, I’m extremely confident that our team chemistry on and off the court will not be an issue because we have a great group of guys. I’m looking forward to battling and overcoming obstacles under some rare circumstances to make this season even more special.”
As everyone waits for Nov. 25 to come around, the delayed season has resulted in different guidelines and regulations.
“We know we are going to have to adapt to potentially many unusual situations, so when that does happen, we are going to have to be able to adapt and figure it out,” said Latina. “That is the mindset we are going to have all season.”
