Provo • Although it’s a bit later than usual, the BYU men’s basketball is finally getting started with its season — and fans will be able to watch.
The Cougars will start official practice for the upcoming 2020-21 season on Wednesday, and the second practice session at 6 p.m. will be broadcast live on the BYUtv App and BYUtv.org.
It’ll be the first chance to see the strong group of newcomers amongst the returners following a record-breaking year that would have led the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament as a single-digit seed. It’ll also be the first glimpse at how BYU will look to fill the holes last year’s seven seniors, including three starters and two key reserves.
Since the shortened 2019-20 season ended, the Cougars have added grad transfers Brandon Averette (Utah Valley) and Matt Haarms (Purdue); junior college transfers Gideon George (New Mexico JC) and Spencer Johnson (Salt Lake Community College); and freshmen Caleb Lohner (Wasatch Academy), Hunter Erickson (Timpview) and Townsend Tripple (Rocky Mountain).
The NCAA announced last month that the season would begin Nov. 25 and while teams could start practices Oct. 14, there would not be any exhibitions or scrimmages played. There’s also a minimum of four non-conference games and teams may play no more than 27 regular-season games.
Last week, the West Coast Conference announced league games; BYU will get things started at Pepperdine Dec. 31 and complete league play by hosting Gonzaga Feb. 27.
While the Cougars' non-conference schedule has yet to be announced, BYU will find itself in the Legends Classic Presented by Old Trapper on Dec. 2-3.
The Legends Classic will also feature UConn, Southern California and Vanderbilt.
Because of the uncertainty of opening indoor arenas in New York City due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legends Classic will instead be relocated to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Matchups, along with game times and other information, will be announced at a later date.
“We are pleased to be able to bring the best of college basketball to Mohegan Sun, especially under these trying circumstances,” Gazelle Group president Rick Giles said. “Mohegan Sun features a prime location, an outstanding facility and the proper amenities to provide a safe, secure and controlled environment. We truly value our relationship with Barclays Center and we look forward to returning there in 2021.”
