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The 2020-21 College Basketball season is shaping up to be a coronavirus filled disaster.
As of Saturday, the New York Times reports 1 in 378 Americans each day are testing positive for COVID-19 while 49 of 50 states (Vermont) are seeing a spike in new cases.
In the midst of the surge, the College Basketball season is set to tip off in just 10 days, creating fear and anxiety among many about how an indoor sport that doesn’t allow for any sort of social distancing can be played safely.
Former Kentucky Wildcats head coach Rick Pitino who is in his first-year coaching the Iona Gaels, made it clear he does not want to see the season start on time amid the surge.
Saturday, Pitino took to Twitter proposing a delayed season with “May Madness” instead of a typical March NCAA Tournament.
Save the Season. Move the start back. Play league schedule and have May Madness. Spiking and protocols make it impossible to play right now.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) November 14, 2020
When discussing protocols, Pitino is likely referring to frequent testing, which some smaller schools’ may not be able to afford and a handful of states such as New Mexico and Oregon heading back into shutdowns.
The idea for a May Madness likely stems from the announcement of a COVID-19 being widely available by April of 2021 according to director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Thus, these ideas aren’t too far fetched, but with money needed to be made after losing the 2020 NCAA Tournament, most conference tournaments and spring sports, there’s a good chance the NCAA rolls the dice and plays on amid the pandemic.