College Basketball Start Date Set at Nov. 25

There is a specified start date to the Cade Cunningham era of Cowboy basketball.

The Division-I Council approved a Nov. 25 start to the 2020-21 college basketball season Wednesday. It was a move from the initial start of Nov. 10.

As part of the move, teams can begin their 12-hour a week schedule Sept. 21, with traditional practices starting Oct. 14.

The maximum number of games teams can play is 27 with the minimum being 13. As of now, OSU has 31 games scheduled, but six of those contests are scheduled before the new start date, including the Charleston Classic. On Tuesday, it was reported the Charleston Classic would be moved to Orlando, Florida, so if OSU still played three games in it, the Cowboys would have to drop at least one other game from their schedule.

Here is the Cowboys’ nonconference schedule before the new start date was released:

Date	Opponent
Nov. 10	Green Bay
Nov. 13	vs. North Texas (Hoop Hype XL)
Nov. 15	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Nov. 19-22	Charleston Classic (Florida State, Seton Hall, Houston, Penn State, Tennessee, VCU, Charleston)
Nov. 28	Oral Roberts
Dec. 1	at Marquette (Big 12/Big East Battle)
Dec. 6	Oakland
Dec. 12	at Wichita State
Dec. 19	Virginia Tech
Dec. 29	Central Oklahoma
Jan. 30	Big 12/SEC Challenge (Opponent TBA)

The D-I Council vote also made it to where there would be no scrimmages or exhibitions, and there is a recommendation of playing at least four nonconference games.

The fact that there are plans is a good sign for Cowboys’ fans, as it now feels like the 2020-21 season is happening. This is the most anticipated OSU basketball season in recent memory with Cunningham, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, on the roster.

This is arguably the most talented and deepest roster Mike Boynton has had in his tenure. Cunningham is part of a top five recruiting class, and the Cowboys also return Isaac Likekele, who has arguably been the team’s best player the past two seasons.

With that said, this season will center on Cunningham, who is projected to be the No. 1 NBA Draft pick in 2021. A big season for OSU and Cunningham would not only benefit OSU this season, but for seasons to come.

There isn’t much else known about the season other than the start date, as reenacted in this video OSU shared:

BREAKING: We now take you live to our press conference with @thacoachmike on the @NCAA basketball start-date announcement.#LetsWork I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/aRUukLwKuC

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) September 16, 2020