The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Work still to be done finalizing schedules for some CT squads
Little by little, details are starting to emerge about the formats and start dates for the Connecticut programs planning to have seasons this winter.
Division I teams have games scheduled for later this month, while the Division II and III seasons would likely begin in January.
There is uncertainty surrounding some Connecticut programs as scheduling models continue to be discussed.
Case in point: Bridgeport appears on the men’s and women’s basketball schedules posted on the Molloy and St. Thomas Aquinas sites. Both teams are in the East Coast Conference with Bridgeport and list home and away matchups with the Purple Knights among their 18-game schedules, which they list beginning Jan. 9. However, when Hearst Connecticut Media reached out to Bridgeport men’s basketball coach Mike Ruane, he said via email that a conference schedule and practice start dates are still being discussed and have not been finalized.
ECC Commissioner Dr. Robert Dranoff said in an email, “We had a tentative plan in place but are now looking at an adjustment that would allow for fewer regular season games to help reduce travel and overnights as well as testing costs. Should know something by next week.”
The MAAC announced a change in its previously announced schedule format on Friday. Teams will play backto-back games at the same site. When the men’s team is hosting, the women’s squad will be on the road against the same opponent.
Here’s a look at where the state’s four-year universities stand in finalizing winter sports schedules.
Albertus Magnus: No GNAC games or tournaments during winter season (impacts men’s and women’s basketball and women’s swimming and diving). No decision yet on NEHC on men’s hockey season.
⏩ Bridgeport: Basketball tentatively set to start in ECC on Jan. 9 with 18-game double round-robin format, although that plan could be adjusted. ECC tournament March 3, 6-7. Field expanded to eight teams for this year.
Central Connecticut: Northeast Conference expected to announce basketball schedules no later than Nov. 15 with announcement on traditional fall sports seasons being held in the spring likely to be announced after that.
Coast Guard: NEWMAC suspended conference play for men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming and diving. Coast Guard announced that it will look to expand its scheduling alliance with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as it did during fall season and could schedule events against other programs.
Connecticut College: NESCAC has canceled winter season sports.
⏩ Eastern Connecticut: Little East Conference basketball programs are expected to play eight games, one against each conference team, with the season to begin Jan. 16. The swimming season will begin Jan. 22. Traditional fall sports could begin season in March, while spring sports seasons could start in February.
⏩ Fairfield: MAAC announced men’s basketball and women’s basketball schedules. Seasons will begin Nov. 25 with men’s team facing Providence and the women’s team meeting Sacred Heart.
⏩ Hartford: America East recently announced men’s basketball and women’s basketball schedules. Season begins in December with Saturday-Sunday or Sunday-Monday games held at the same site.
⏩ Mitchell: Start of basketball season has yet to be announced, unlikely to start before January.
New Haven: Northeast-10 Conference presidents met Monday, expect an announcement soon. Season not expected to start until January.
Post: Decided to cancel sports during the winter and spring seasons due to the student population studying remotely for the remainder of the academic year.
Quinnipiac: MAAC has announced men’s basketball and women’s basketball schedules. Five nonconference men’s hockey games are known.
⏩ Sacred Heart: Men’s hockey schedule is out. Northeast Conference expected to announce basketball schedules no later than Nov. 15 with announcement on traditional fall sports seasons being held in the spring likely to be announced after that.
Southern Connecticut: Northeast-10 Conference presidents met Monday, expect an announcement soon. Season not expected to start until January.
Trinity: NESCAC has canceled conference play and tournament during the winter season.
UConn: December conference basketball games have been announced. Hockey East announced the season will start Nov. 20.
⏩ USJ: GNAC canceled winter season conference play and tournaments.
⏩ Wesleyan: NESCAC has canceled all conference play and tournaments for winter season.
⏩ Western Connecticut: All WestConn athletic events canceled until Jan. 1. Little East Conference basketball programs are expected to play eight games, one against each conference team with the season to begin Jan. 16.
Yale: Expecting a scheduling update from Ivy League later this month. All sports suspended for remainder of 2020.