Michigan Basketball: Could Big Ten play in its own bubble?

I’m going to be honest here: I need Michigan basketball to return. And here’s one way it could happen.

Current conditions are being evaluated and plans are being formulated so that Michigan basketball can play this season.

One of the most recent developments came when the conference announced that if a national schedule is not allowed, the Big Ten would limit competition to within its members. But what if that’s not enough?

What if more drastic measures are required for there to be any chance of witnessing a game? Here’s one scenario that could work to get Michigan basketball and others back on the court.

Massive tournament (Big Ten Bubble)

One of the biggest issues in allowing conference play is traveling. There could be times when a breakout occurs near a school canceling the game or causing it to be rescheduled – with hopes the virus can be contained quickly. That’s not an ideal situation for anyone.

What if, however, the entire conference were to move the season to a shortened, two-month affair, all in one location. While the amenities won’t be as flashy as the bubble in Florida, Indianapolis is certainly large enough for this massive event to take place.

The entire thing can last three months. One month of mandatory practices (teams can hold localized practices for months beforehand as long as it’s agreed upon) and then spending the other two months playing two or three times a week (16-24 games)

There are many issues that would also need to be addressed by those involved. The first would be allowing all students to be taught virtually, which isn’t as farfetched of an idea. Universities across the country have allowed this for years, it’s just a few holding out on that front.

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Next, if a student-athlete desires to sit out the year for whatever reason, there must be some mechanism in place to grant that person another year of eligibility. People have health issues or families with health issues and punishing a person for circumstances outside of their control is ridiculous.

Testing and other safety protocols would have to be in place, but when you break it down, as long as the kids, their parents, and all other stakeholders are willing to put in the time, effort, and money to make it happen, what could stop it?

Obviously, this would largely depend on the money aspect. Do the conference teams have the cash to execute the plan and implement it safely? Probably not for the time frame. And not with the dwindling revenues facing athletic departments.

Not all is lost, however, as a lucrative media deal could fix the flow of money. A record-setting contract and big-time sponsorships for one of the largest and most-watched conferences in the NCAA is entirely possible and especially one big enough to cover travel, airfare, and all the other requirements for such a monumental event.

The Big Ten bubble season. How will it go down in the record books? Will it count?

Next. Projecting Big Ten standings in 2020-21. dark

Let’s not worry about that. Let’s just have a season.

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