Report: Nonconference schedules will occur in bubbles

The idea of the NCAA adopting bubble formats for nonconference college basketball schedules later this year seems to be gaining momentum. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Report: College basketball nonconference schedules will occur in bubbles

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/19/20

The idea of the NCAA adopting bubble formats for nonconference college basketball schedules later this year seems to be gaining momentum.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports is reporting that Orlando could house "multiple" early season nonconference tournaments if previously-scheduled games are lost because of the coronavirus pandemic:

Sources: Following the success of the NBA restart, Orlando has emerged as a prime location to play multiple early season college basketball tournaments in a bubble type setting.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 19, 2020

Source: Many college basketball coaches and administrators believe that current non-conference schedules will dissolve due to COVID-19 and teams will look to play regionalized games in pods or bubbles to fulfill any hope of non-conference basketball before league play. https://t.co/rXXk7dt6Yj
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 19, 2020

Last week, Houston event operator Rhossi Carron told ESPN about a plan that involved housing 20 college programs in an isolated hub for a nonconference schedule that could run from Dec. 1 through Dec. 21.

On Tuesday, Kentucky coach John Calipari said during an ESPN Radio appearance he is in favor of a bubble format for the annual Champions Classic early season event that includes the Wildcats, Michigan State, Duke, and Kansas.

"We all play each other, round-robin. You walk away with three games," Calipari explained.

Since May, bubbles have provided the UFC, National Women's Soccer League, and Major League Soccer with havens to complete events and tournaments free of virus outbreaks. The NHL, NBA, and WNBA have all experienced zero virus-related stoppages during their return-to-play scenarios.

On Monday, NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said a decision on college basketball start dates and schedules could be announced by mid-September.

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