The office of the Southeastern Conference has announced start dates of December 29th and 30th for the men’s basketball season, with the women’s basketball season among the 14 member schools, including the University of Missouri, scheduled for a New Year’s Eve opening.
On Friday, Commissioner Greg Sankey announced a total of 20 dates left open for a total of 18 games for each men’s and women’s team in the conference, with 18 games to be played. That ratio leaves, in the event of the COVID-19 based postponement, two open dates that could be filled. For ten of the schools in the SEC, one of the open dates that will be filled involves participation the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on the final Saturday in January. Matchups for the 2021 games have not yet been announced, delayed by the pandemic. The four SEC teams not in the challenge will play in conference play on that day.
For the women’s schedule, there is a total of 18 play dates that would accommodate a 16-game league schedule.
There are expected to be non-conference games prior to SEC play, as the NCAA Division One Council has approved a start date of November 25th for the college basketball seasons. Teams can begin preseason practices on October 14th.
