The NBA may be wrapping up its season, but Walt Disney World may continue to be a campus bubble for basketball. According to a report on ESPN.com at least eight non-conference men’s college basketball events could soon find a home at ESPN Wide World of Sports for the start of the 2020-2021 season.
What’s Happening:
- According to ESPN.com, men’s college basketball could be heading to Walt Disney World.
- A report posted this morning says that sources close to the matter have indicated at least eight college basketball events could move to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
- Of the 10 non-conference events scheduled for November and December, eight are expected to make the move to the Disney campus. This includes:
- The Champions Classic
- Charleston Classic
- Myrtle Beach Invitational
- NIT Season Tip-Off
- Wooden Legacy
- Orlando Invitational
- Jimmy V Classic
- Diamond Head Classic
- Currently, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is home for the NBA bubble as the professional teams finish out the 2019-2020 season. Playoffs are expected to end on or before October 14th.
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=29902029
- ESPN notes that the college events will likely have protocols differing from those of the NBA, though its not specified what those changes might be.
- While event dates haven’t been determined yet, the 2020-2021 college basketball season is scheduled to tip off on November 25th. Games would then span a two week period with some events overlapping and up to three games taking place at the same time.
ESPN Events Expected to Move to Orlando:
- Champions Classic: Duke, Michigan State, Kansas, Kentucky
- Charleston Classic: Charleston, Florida State, Houston, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Seton Hall, Tennessee, VCU
- Myrtle Beach Invitational: Charlotte, Dayton, Loyola Chicago, Missouri, Nebraska, Furman, Pitt, Utah State
- NIT Season Tip-Off: Arizona, Cincinnati, St. John's, Texas Tech
- Wooden Legacy: Georgetown, Kansas, UCLA, Virginia
- Orlando Invitational: Auburn, Belmont, Boise State, Gonzaga, Michigan State, Siena, Saint Louis, Xavier
- Jimmy V Classic: Gonzaga, Tennessee, Baylor, Rutgers
- Diamond Head Classic: Arizona State, Hawaii, North Texas, Oklahoma, San Diego State, Saint Mary's, Seattle, Temple
College Basketball in 2020:
- Other late fall non-conference games will likely be hosted in controlled environments. Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut are being considered as potential bubbles for the season.
- The Maui Invitational will move to Asheville, North Carolina.
- Battle 4 Atlantis will likely relocate to South Dakota.
- Houston and Atlanta are being considered for event bubbles.
- Finally, Louisville, Duke, and Kentucky are expected keep their events on campus.