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Tennessee basketball season to start no earlier than Nov. 25

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 4: General view of the exterior of Thompson-Boling Arena prior to the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida defeated Tennessee 10-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 4: General view of the exterior of Thompson-Boling Arena prior to the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida defeated Tennessee 10-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA has given the Tennessee basketball men’s and women’s Volunteers a start date.

Before the SEC football season has even begun, plans are being made for college basketball. A ruling on Wednesday will significantly alter the men’s Tennessee basketball schedule and have an impact on both the Vols and Lady Vols.

Instead of Nov. 10, as initially planned, the NCAA Division I Council ruled Nov. 25 as the 2020-2021 college basketball season’s start date, Jeff Borzello of ESPN says. Later on, Andy Katz tweeted out that the maximum number of games is 27, the minimum number is 13, there will be no scrimmages or exhibitions, and Oct. 14 was designated as the practice start date.

As of right now, this shouldn’t affect what’s currently the Tennessee Lady Vols’ schedule. The only dates set in stone for Kellie Harper’s second team include the Jan. 21, 2021 date with the UConn Huskies and the 2020 Cancun Challenge, which has already moved to Florida and starts on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 this year.

On the men’s side, though, Tennessee basketball just saw a lot of changes come its way. Rick Barnes’ team has a major Nov. 11 showdown with the Wisconsin Badgers on the slate, and it also was set to face the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Nov. 14. What happens with those dates is up in the air.

Then there is the Charleston Classic, an eight-team tournament that includes the Vols and was set to be played on Nov. 19, 20 and 22. That event had already moved to Florida as well, but when or if it takes place now is up in the air. Speaking of tournaments, the NCAA is still planning on a 68-team tournament and 14 locations in March and April.

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Other major dates are safe, including the Jimmy V Classic when the Vols face the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and the SEC/Big 12 challenge on the men’s and women’s sides are fine as well. Other major dates for the men’s side, including the Memphis Tigers and Cincinnati Bearcats, should also work out. Still, Tennessee basketball has some things to resolve, but they have a starting point.

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