SEC links: Could college football season be moved up to July?
Here are some SEC links for Monday:
Could college football be moved up to summer? Michael Smith of the Sports Business Journal reports, “Amid a growing concern that the college football season could be pushed back, or even canceled, an alternative could come into play — moving the season up to July, August and September, writes SBJ’s Michael Smith. Every other scenario has the season starting later in the fall, at a time when the coronavirus could be returning for another round of infections as the cool weather returns and a vaccine most likely unavailable until 2021. But staging an abbreviated college football season in the summer presents an opportunity to play games when the warm weather could help prevent the spread of the virus.”
One college football AD suggests a summer mini-camp. Texas A&M’s Ross Bjork thinks an NFL-style mini-camp could make up for losing spring practice, reports Craig Stephenson of AL.com. “In a conference call with members of the media, Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork said such an idea has been floated in meetings with fellow SEC and NCAA executives. He did note, however, that no one is yet sure “social distancing” restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic will be lifted any time soon.”
The NCAA is to vote Monday on spring athletes. The governing body will decide if spring athletes can get another year of eligibility, reports Logan Lowery of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal. Spring athletes most most if not all of their seasons thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
There will still be tough decisions to make. Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post writes, “Had Friday been a normal Friday, which it decidedly was not, Reilly White would have been with her teammates on the University of Virginia women’s crew team at the Rivanna Duals, staged north of Charlottesville. It was to be her final season of rowing, and instead she’s running in solitude, riding a Peloton with a virtual class, trying to find routine when hers is broken.”
HBO documentary to tell more about Will Wade. David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports, “Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball coach Will Wade will be featured prominently Tuesday night on HBO, and it’s not expected to be a flattering role. The premium cable network will air “The Scheme,” a documentary focusing on Christian Dawkins, who became the central figure in the federal investigation into the corruption of college basketball. Wade, who guided the Mocs during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons and has since spent two seasons at VCU and three at LSU, will be heard on wiretapped conversations with Dawkins that have not been admitted in the two federal trials that have occurred to this point.”
Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry has declared for the draft. Tyler Horka of the Clarion-Ledger reports, “Reggie Perry is ready for the next level. The 2019-20 SEC co-Player of the Year declared for the NBA Draft via Twitter on Sunday afternoon. Perry averaged 17.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Mississippi State.”
Arkansas’ Mason Jones entering draft. Bob Holt of the Democrat-Gazette reports, “University of Arkansas guard Mason Jones, a junior this season, is among 38 college basketball players with eligibility remaining who have announced they’re making themselves available for this year’s NBA Draft. Jones, voted by media members as The Associated Press co-SEC player of the year and an honorable mention All-American, posted on his Twitter account Friday that after much discussion he has decided to enter the draft.”
Georgia basketball with two entering draft. Rayshaun Hammonds has joined Anthony Edwards as Bulldogs declaring for the NBA Draft. Edward is not expected to return. Hammonds says he is just testing the waters, reports Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Georgia basketball gets a junior-college commit. Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald reports that Tryon McMillan, a 6-8 forward from Kilgore Junior College in Texas has committed to the Bulldogs over LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona State and St. John’s.
[UK basketball recruiting news at NextCats]
Ray Mears helped make Knoxville a basketball town. John Adams makes the case in the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Mears was 278-112 as the Vols head coach from the 1962-63 season through 1976-77. He won three SEC titles.
Auburn equipment staff sewing masks. Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser reports, “The Auburn equipment room is supposed to be bustling at this time of year. Football players need to get fitted for helmets and pads. Staff need to take inventory and get everything ready for the next season. And that room was bustling Saturday — just not for any reason related to Tiger athletics.”
Sports books posting over/under on Trump’s words. David J. Neal of the Miami Herald reports, “There’s no live action human sports for wagering. So, a sports gambling website decided to put up numbers so people could lay down some money on President Donald Trump’s daily pronouncements. SportsBettingDime.com has posted Over/Under numbers on the words and phrases the president regularly uses in his daily coronavirus pandemic media briefings.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 9:11 AM.
