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NCAA Basketball: Teams impacted most by unique 2020 offseason

By Drew Schmelzer

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

This has been an offseason like no other for NCAA Basketball. Which teams have been both positively and negatively affected so far?

The best event in sports, the NCAA Basketball tournament, did not happen this past season because of Covid-19. The cancellation of March Madness ruined the swan song for seniors across the country like Myles Powell (Seton Hall) and Cassius Winston (Michigan State). It killed the dream season of programs that had already secured a bid like Rutgers and Penn St, both squads who hadn’t been dancing in years. Covid-19 ended legitimate chances for non – power 5 schools like San Diego St and Dayton to go to the Final Four.

As college basketball fans, we all want to put those memories behind us and gear up for what will be one of the most anticipated seasons we’ve ever had in 2020-21. Unfortunately, on campuses nationwide, it’s not that simple as COVID19 will have a direct impact on your favorite team in 2020-21.

The summer is prime team development time for college hoops programs and players. Typically, the kids are on campus almost all summer. They are taking fewer classes and have minimal distractions, making it the best opportunity within the calendar year for chemistry building and for players individually to take that next step. For that reason, there are teams relying on freshmen and newcomers with high expectations who are in a tough spot heading into the upcoming season. There are also teams returning very much intact that will be uniquely well prepared and will have a leg up in its approach to 2020-21.

Who are the three teams most negatively impacted by the uncertainty and lack of prep time that this pandemic brings? Who are the three programs best built to go into 2020-21 relatively unhindered and ready to make a run at the Final Four in Indianapolis? Let’s take a look.

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