Women’s college season still up in the air

Will college basketball be played this season?

Some two months from the traditional start date, uncertainty lingers. There are concerns about how to safely play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, enough to leave some coaches wondering whether the season will be conducted at all.

“As of right now,” said Hartford women’s coach Morgan Valley, “no one really knows what’s going on.”

Schools should get some clarity Wednesday, when the NCAA’s Division I Council will convene to listen to multiple recommendations on when the games can begin. A Nov. 21 tip-off date has gained the most traction from the women’s and men’s basketball oversight committees, according to multiple reports. That would allow for a two-month window where campuses would be practically empty and social distancing concerns would, in theory, be minimized.

There has also been talk of isolating teams in bubbles, similar to what many professional leagues have done. Mohegan Sun in Uncasville has emerged as a potential host site because of its location and amenities, not to mention the fact it’s already staged multiple sporting events (boxing and MMA) over the last few months. But nothing is certain (more on that later).

“There’s rumors flying around, but conferencewise, nothing’s been confirmed. Nonconferencewise, we haven’t received

any information,” Valley said. “I think [Wednesday’s meeting] will propel people to move.”

HOW REALISTIC IS A BUBBLE?

Well, let’s start here: In this unprecedented landscape, bubbles have been a rousing success. The NBA, WNBA and NHL have played games in isolated locations for weeks without interruption.

They’d seem to make sense for college basketball, too. Relatively speaking, team traveling parties are small, and students are accustomed to taking their schoolwork with them on the road. Many schools have gone to remote learning anyway.

This concept would allow teams to reduce travel, limit large gatherings and play as many games as possible — especially against nonconference opponents. Venues could be scattered across the country.

Curiously, several women’s coaches said discussions concerning a bubble have been minimal, at least compared to men’s basketball — “No one has discussed a bubble that I know of for WBB,” one coach texted — but one has to think their plans will ultimately align.

“I would be very surprised if conferences say they’re going to build a bubble so that the men could play, but they don’t care about the women,” UConn Athletic Director Dave Benedict said.

According to multiple reports, the Big East is one of several conferences exploring bubbles for its women’s and men’s teams.

REGIONAL PLAY?

Hartford is scheduled to tip off its season at Pittsburgh and participate in an early-season nonconference tournament hosted by DePaul. Both are “guarantee games” that would net the Hawks $35,000.

However, should the season indeed start Nov. 21, neither game will be played. And there’s a good chance the Hawks won’t be making any other long trips, either.

In fact, regardless of whether the bubble concept materializes, several coaches expect travel to be significantly reduced this season. Given the health risks and financial costs of the coronavirus on athletic departments, teams figure to be a bit more careful where they go to play games. Complicating matters could be the restrictions on “hot spot” states, which would require that travelers quarantine for 14 days after returning home.

Valley — who’s in her second season with Hartford — doesn’t expect to stray too far from New England. The same goes for Quinnipiac, which under coach Tricia Fabbri has established itself as one of the sport’s better mid-majors.

In-state schools have discussed scheduling more contests against one another — either single games or tournaments resembling the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, a four-team event including UConn, Quinnipiac, Mississippi State and Maine on Nov. 28-29 at Mohegan Sun.

“It will be based on budgets, based on restrictions from state to state,” Valley said regarding travel. “It will be institutional-based.”

To the point, Valley said, that some schools from one-bid leagues might ask themselves if constructing a nonconference schedule is really worth the trouble.

WHAT ABOUT THE NCAA TOURNAMENT?

The NCAA has already shot down the proposal from ACC men’s coaches to allow every team — yes, all 300-plus — into the NCAA Tournament.

That’s not to say, however, that March Madness won’t be different.

While the NCAA remains committed to keeping the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, in April, a source didn’t rule out changing regional sites (Albany, N.Y.; Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Spokane, Washington) should complications arise.

“It’s definitely something that’s on the table as a discussion point, if need be,” the source said.