What comes next for UConn athletics now that the football season is canceled?

[Carnac]

By DOM AMORE - HARTFORD COURANT AUG 07, 2020

What are the possibilities for UConn men’s and women’s basketball?

While there is no rush to make a decision, and it could be more than a month before the Big East makes one, there are any number of ideas being floated. “There are potentially creative ways that we will be able to play,” men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley said this week. “A lot of it has to do with testing, therapeutics and potential vaccines.

What comes next for UConn athletics now that the football season is canceled? Here are five key questions

Now that UConn has pulled the plug on football for 2020, there are any number of athletic dominoes still to fall, and not necessarily in a straight line. As an independent in football, UConn did no…

www.courant.com

Lot's of different ideas being considered, including a single-site “bubble” format similar to the NBA and WNBA bubbles in Florida, where all 11 Big East teams would gather in one city. It will be interesting to see what they finally decide to do.

 

[ctfjr]

I sure don't want to come across as smug but... wasn't this (and what's to come) entirely predictable?

btw I'm not sure but most schools don't have the NBA resources to 'get together' under a bubble. Potential vaccines??? A wish and a hope are not a plan.

 

[oldude]

By DOM AMORE - HARTFORD COURANT AUG 07, 2020

What are the possibilities for UConn men’s and women’s basketball?

While there is no rush to make a decision, and it could be more than a month before the Big East makes one, there are any number of ideas being floated. At the moment, all of UConn’s men’s and women’s basketball players are on campus, including those coming from outside the U.S., working toward a season. “There are potentially creative ways that we will be able to play,” men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley said this week. “A lot of it has to do with testing, therapeutics and potential vaccines.

What comes next for UConn athletics now that the football season is canceled? Here are five key questions

Now that UConn has pulled the plug on football for 2020, there are any number of athletic dominoes still to fall, and not necessarily in a straight line. As an independent in football, UConn did no…

www.courant.com

Lot's of different ideas being considered, including a single-site “bubble” format similar to the NBA and WNBA bubbles in Florida, where all 11 Big East teams would gather in one city. It will be interesting to see what they finally decide to do.

Not quite sure how a “bubble” could possibly work for college sports. We are talking about student-athletes who will require some access to faculty, administrators, libraries, labs and so on, at their respective colleges.

 

[Argonaut]

Not quite sure how a “bubble” could possibly work for college sports. We are talking about student-athletes who will require some access to faculty, administrators, libraries, labs and so on, at their respective colleges.

If everything academic is wrapped up by Thanksgiving and classes don’t start again until mid-January, conference bubbles are more than feasible.

But you’re right that a bubble would put more academically focused athletes and institutions who are still learning on campus by the time basketball season rolls around at a distinct disadvantage.

 

[UcMiami]

Not sure that any school is going to have a full attendance in person plan in place, so a bubble could be created at any campus where a full dorm could be reserved for teams, coaches, and staff, and where access to high speed internet probably already exists for on-line learning which is going to form a significant portion of most college curriculum. If it happened between Thanksgiving and the spring semester it might work quite well. And for expense - cheaper than hotels and travel budgets for a normal season. With a set-up like Uconn has you have three courts you could play games - men's, women's, and Gampel - no fans likely anyway.

 

[oldude]

If everything academic is wrapped up by Thanksgiving and classes don’t start again until mid-January, conference bubbles are more than feasible.

But you’re right that a bubble would put more academically focused athletes and institutions who are still learning on campus by the time basketball season rolls around at a distinct disadvantage.

As I understand the plan, in person classes would be rapped up by Thanksgiving. Finals, term papers, etc. would be completed afterwards into December. That would essentially mean you have approximately one month to complete a full conference schedule. If everyone in the BE plays each other twice, that’s 20 games in 30 days or so.

 

[donalddoowop]

As I understand the plan, in person classes would be rapped up by Thanksgiving. Finals, term papers, etc. would be completed afterwards into December. That would essentially mean you have approximately one month to complete a full conference schedule. If everyone in the BE plays each other twice, that’s 20 games in 30 days or so.

Would be what by Thanksgiving?

 

[Argonaut]

As I understand the plan, in person classes would be rapped up by Thanksgiving. Finals, term papers, etc. would be completed afterwards into December. That would essentially mean you have approximately one month to complete a full conference schedule. If everyone in the BE plays each other twice, that’s 20 games in 30 days or so.

They already play as they’re wrapping up academics in December, so I’m not sure what the difference would be in a bubble versus not. My point was that whatever happens after Thanksgiving is going to be designed for students not to have access to the resources you mentioned.

There are 53 days between Thanksgiving and the beginning of the spring 2021 term.

 

[oldude]

They already play as they’re wrapping up academics in December, so I’m not sure what the difference would be in a bubble versus not. My point was that whatever happens after Thanksgiving is going to be designed for students not to have access to the resources you mentioned.

There are 53 days between Thanksgiving and the beginning of the spring 2021 term.

Yes, but a portion of those days will include preparing for and taking final exams, during which time I don’t think the BE will be playing b-ball games. Is 30-40 days sufficient to play a truncated 20 game season? Maybe....

 

[Argonaut]

Yes, but a portion of those days will include preparing for and taking final exams, during which time I don’t think the BE will be playing b-ball games. Is 30-40 days sufficient to play a truncated 20 game season? Maybe....

I think there are creative scheduling options if they ultimately go the bubble route. Regardless, it would be a jam-packed stretch for all teams involved.

But if it comes down to it, I’d take a shortened bubble season over no season at all.

 

[Alydar]

By DOM AMORE - HARTFORD COURANT AUG 07, 2020

What are the possibilities for UConn men’s and women’s basketball?

While there is no rush to make a decision, and it could be more than a month before the Big East makes one, there are any number of ideas being floated. “There are potentially creative ways that we will be able to play,” men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley said this week. “A lot of it has to do with testing, therapeutics and potential vaccines.

What comes next for UConn athletics now that the football season is canceled? Here are five key questions

Now that UConn has pulled the plug on football for 2020, there are any number of athletic dominoes still to fall, and not necessarily in a straight line. As an independent in football, UConn did no…

www.courant.com

Lot's of different ideas being considered, including a single-site “bubble” format similar to the NBA and WNBA bubbles in Florida, where all 11 Big East teams would gather in one city. It will be interesting to see what they finally decide to do.

Not a city. Find somewhere that no one wants to visit in the winter, like Frostbite Falls.

 

[ctfjr]

This is an interesting thread. I have to ask myself have we given up all pretense these athletes are students first?
Let's look at some 'facts'.

Who is Youyang Gu?? I had never heard of him. Well he is a MIT educated independent scientist who has an amazing track record of predicting the virus spread. Here is an article written on April 30, 2020 where he is referenced as estimating the likely death toll in the US in early August as 150,760 people.
Article about projections - written April 30

Here is what he has published recently

With the almost incalculable number of interactions these college athletes will inevitably have why would you risk their health and the health of everyone around them? For a game? They are just kids. If they were your kids. . .

Have we given up all pretense?

 

[UcMiami]

I don't think anyone has forgotten these are young adults and students first. But they are also dedicated athletes and want to continue that aspect of their lives as well. The idea of a bubble environment for athletic competition seems to be working for the WNBA and the NBA while MLB and likely the NFL is/will be a struggle.

The idea of intercollegiate athletic competition with travel around the country seems reckless to most of us, though colleges are still thinking it may be possible. This thread is looking at what might be a safer option for at least collegiate basketball competition in a limited way. The situation on the ground is constantly evolving. Much of the executive leadership around the country is pushing for in-person schooling from K-12 and college while a lot of people are seriously concerned about any in-person education. We do not have an answer - we are just talking possibilities.

One issue that no one discusses in all of this is the local addition load on already strained testing capabilities. MLB for example has conducted daily/weekly testing that totals 30,000 +/- individual tests in the last month that mostly would not have been performed if they were not playing - and the tests have been performed at 'high priority'. That has to have cut into the speed of results for health care workers and other first responders. What happens when colleges and grade schools want to test all of their students once a month, or every week, or ... A test that takes a week to get results has limited value in terms of controlling spreed.

 

[huskyd]

I'm wondering whether any kind of truncated schedule is better than none. If the women play a shorter schedule v. limited cast of opponents, is that going to count as a full year of eligibility used? If the athletes are given a full 4 years of eligibility by skipping this year entirely, is that better than an unconventional schedule that acts more as an exhibition season than a "real" one? Would today's freshmen hang around for 5 years? How would this affect Geno's tenure? The loss of an entire season makes me incredibly sad, but it may not be the worst thing that could happen.

 

[oldude]

Not a city. Find somewhere that no one wants to visit in the winter, like Frostbite Falls.

Rocky and Bullwinkle always seemed happy there....

 

[Alydar]

This is an interesting thread. I have to ask myself have we given up all pretense these athletes are students first?
Let's look at some 'facts'.

Who is Youyang Gu?? I had never heard of him. Well he is a MIT educated independent scientist who has an amazing track record of predicting the virus spread. Here is an article written on April 30, 2020 where he is referenced as estimating the likely death toll in the US in early August as 150,760 people.
Article about projections - written April 30

Here is what he has published recently

View attachment 57434

With the almost incalculable number of interactions these college athletes will inevitably have why would you risk their health and the health of everyone around them? For a game? They are just kids. If they were your kids. . .

Have we given up all pretense?

Can't argue with your point but isn't opening public schools a much more dangerous thing? The college kids are in a relative cocoon compared to 6-18 year olds who will mix with other kids daily along with everyone else each of their classmates contacts. Then they take that home to their working parents and families who have had a whole different slew of contacts. And yet NY is allowing school districts to re-open with in-person attendance.

 

[ctfjr]

Can't argue with your point but isn't opening public schools a much more dangerous thing? The college kids are in a relative cocoon compared to 6-18 year olds who will mix with other kids daily along with everyone else each of their classmates contacts. Then they take that home to their working parents and families who have had a whole different slew of contacts. And yet NY is allowing school districts to re-open with in-person attendance.

Exactly!

 

[Boreifs]

Not a city. Find somewhere that no one wants to visit in the winter, like Frostbite Falls.

And what location like that would have four-six regulation basketball courts and hotel space for 300 people? Hope you were joking.

 

[oldude]

Can't argue with your point but isn't opening public schools a much more dangerous thing? The college kids are in a relative cocoon compared to 6-18 year olds who will mix with other kids daily along with everyone else each of their classmates contacts. Then they take that home to their working parents and families who have had a whole different slew of contacts. And yet NY is allowing school districts to re-open with in-person attendance.

A couple comments on NY’s school reopening plan. There are still approximately 170/749 NY school districts that have yet to either submit their reopening plan to the NY State Dept of Health for approval or whose plans have been deemed insufficient. Most NY schools plan to run some type of hybrid program which entails both in person and online education. Finally, in recognition that many parents will not send their students to school under any circumstances, most NY schools will offer 100% online learning to those who prefer. I will be surprised if 50% of NY school kids actually attend in person classes once schools open up.

 

[Alydar]

And what location like that would have four-six regulation basketball courts and hotel space for 300 people? Hope you were joking.

Not a big city, or a casino. 300 people aren't a lot. My point was about the post suggesting the Mohegan Sun arena/casino/hotel. People coming and going from all over the country is not a good idea. Same with NYC or Phil. I'm sure there are several smaller cities. 2 courts can hold 6-8 games a day. That's more than enough.

But not my problem. Fans can just watch and wait.

 

[JellyBean]

Just have to wait and see what develops. Smart move by the athletic department and the football program to cancel the season. Too many unknowns to risk student athletes health. This Covid19 is way different than you common ankle or knee injury. So just play it safe and resume next season. But for basketball programs, we just have to wait and see what develops over the next few months and go from there.

 

[the Q]

Can't argue with your point but isn't opening public schools a much more dangerous thing? The college kids are in a relative cocoon compared to 6-18 year olds who will mix with other kids daily along with everyone else each of their classmates contacts. Then they take that home to their working parents and families who have had a whole different slew of contacts. And yet NY is allowing school districts to re-open with in-person attendance.

College kids run all over the area. They live off campus, they have off campus jobs. They go out and about at stores like everyone else in the area.

And they congregate with a ton of their peers on weekend nights before dispersing back to those community areas.

I would imagine a college campus (that doesn’t act like a prison) would be a very high risk area.

 

[Alydar]

College kids run all over the area. They live off campus, they have off campus jobs. They go out and about at stores like everyone else in the area.

And they congregate with a ton of their peers on weekend nights before dispersing back to those community areas.

I would imagine a college campus (that doesn’t act like a prison) would be a very high risk area.

Dangerous, yes. But more than an 8 year old riding school buses, sharing bathrooms at school and sharing all those contacts with their families. who are much more at risk than a 19 year old.
My entire point was that there seems to be a lot of angst (justified) over colleges opening and little concern about K-12. I understand that it's wcbb but primarily it's a health issue and college campuses, admittedly risky environments, are much more insular than any city's educational system.

 

[the Q]

Dangerous, yes. But more than an 8 year old riding school buses, sharing bathrooms at school and sharing all those contacts with their families. who are much more at risk than a 19 year old.
My entire point was that there seems to be a lot of angst (justified) over colleges opening and little concern about K-12. I understand that it's wcbb but primarily it's a health issue and college campuses, admittedly risky environments, are much more insular than any city's educational system.

I think both are atrocious ideas.

you can’t have buses if you are having in person school.

 

[Alydar]

How did the AAU run tournaments this summer? I don't remember seeing even one report of a COVID positive as a result of them being held over several days. Why is it that those tournaments were held without a problem (or anyone even talking about) but now both college and pro games are problematic?