It's been a little while since I've been on here during these uncertain times and now that I've got over the initial mourning period of UCLA losing to crosstown rival USC this last Saturday night, I thought I should provide an update that I came across late this afternoon on Twitter. The MIAC Presidents' Council has officially approved the continuation of planning for the possibility of winter sports. The tweet also said that the Council will reconvene in January to confirm plans for not only basketball but also for hockey, indoor track and field along with swimming and diving championships.
While I think this is certainly encouraging news to a degree, I think it also gives the Presidents' Council enough wiggle room to opt out of the plan should the situation with COVID-19 warrant. I'm trying to be hopeful here as I'm sure coaches and athletes are as well but there's just still so much uncertainty out there that prevents me from getting too excited here. You may have seen already that the WIAC Council of Chancellors announced this last Friday to resume planning for winter sports to begin on February 1, 2021 contingent upon securing of ongoing COVID-19 testing. Though the MIAC in their brief announcement on Twitter earlier today didn't specify a date, one would assume that they're likely targeting the same February 1 date. At the very least, I think you have to give both conferences a lot of credit for at least making some contingent plans given the environment and situation.
Although I didn't see anything specifically from the UMAC side, both Northwestern and North Central have been playing games thus far. Northwestern has notched wins over Maranatha Baptist, Viterbo, Waldorf, conference crosstown rival North Central and, most recently, a thrilling OT win vs Edgewood this last Friday night. North Central so far has established a rather surprising 6-0 mark with wins over Trinity Bible, Maranatha Baptist (twice), Oak Hills Christian and said Northwestern team. Now, while most of those wins won't garner much attention from the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, it is at least good to see some teams in action - even if you have to do it online.
So, for right now anyway, the best advice I can offer up is to stay tuned - and keep your fingers crossed. Meanwhile, keep masking up, do the social distancing thing and, God willing, we'll get through this.
