Syracuse Basketball: Orange can begin summer activities on July 20

The NCAA has given the green light for Syracuse basketball and other collegiate hoops teams to start summer activities in a month.

Syracuse basketball, the men’s and the women’s groups, may kick off “summer athletics activities” in about one month’s time, according to a plan approved by the NCAA’s Division I Council.

In giving the go-ahead for this plan, the council will enable players to work out in-person with their coaches for the inaugural instance since the novel coronavirus pandemic halted the 2019-20 campaign in mid-March, prior to the start of the Big Dance, per this report by The Associated Press.

A statement from the NCAA says that the newly approved plan from the council provides for voluntary work-outs and “up to eight hours of virtual nonphysical activities through July 19.”

"Then one day later, on July 20, “required summer athletics activities may begin and can last up to eight weeks or until the school’s first day of classes or Sept. 15, whichever is earlier.”"

During that period of time, according to The AP, such activities could consist of “weight training, conditioning and skills instruction with coaches supervising for up to eight hours per week.”

The AP article says that on Sept. 15 or the first day of classes at a particular school, whichever arrives first, that team can shift to work-outs that are similar to the summer model, “but two days off per week are required.”

The story adds that full pre-season practices can commence “42 days before a school’s first regular-season game.”

Syracuse basketball, both the men’s and women’s squads, can commence on-campus work-outs on July 20.

This is an encouraging development for the Orange. On the men’s side, the ‘Cuse is losing former star forward Elijah Hughes, although the team is returning four starters from 2019-20.

The crew also has an intriguing 2020 recruiting class that boasts a trio of four-star incoming freshmen as well as a top-10 sit-out transfer in Alan Griffin, who has an excellent shot at receiving an NCAA waiver to immediately compete.

For the Syracuse women’s squad, its roster – with a deep rotation coming back, a stellar 2020 recruiting class and the possible return of Tiana Mangakahia – has the makings of a ranked team that should contend for an Atlantic Coast Conference crown and could absolutely vie for a long journey in the NCAA Tournament.