Gophers hoops in a bubble? Reported plans might be possible for Pitino's team

The official start of the college basketball season is still to be determined during the pandemic.

And even when that date is announced likely later this month nothing can be for certain if teams will actually play. Richard Pitino is "pretty confident" something will happen.

"My guess is logically it makes sense for basketball because we have [fewer] people," Pitino said last week. "And when the students go off campus there seems to be some sense we can proceed and play."

Crystal ball predictions aside detailed ideas on where teams could play in basketball bubbles are coming together.

And some plans being formed have links to the Gophers.

CBSSports.com's article Tuesday revealed that Mohegan Sun Arena is a possible bubble site to host 16 teams for 32 games from Dec. 9-20, according to confidential documents.

The Gophers were one of the teams to receive those detailed plans from the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off organizers, sources told the Star Tribune.

In an emailed response to the Star Tribune, a HOF Tip-Off spokesman said Wednesday they had no comment on the recent bubble report while "we're waiting for the NCAA and the conferences to make decisions later this month."

The Star Tribune learned in mid-August that the HOF Tip-Off submitted to each school in their tournament this year a COVID-19 operational plan for review if their "event was able to go on per conference and university regulations, inclusive of testing protocol."

"The Hall of Fame is mindful of all the possibilities that exist with the upcoming college basketball season," a spokesman wrote in August. "We are confident in our venue and the measures that have been taken to produce a safe environment and have contingency plans in mind should adjustments be needed. We are also mindful that the decision could ultimately be out of our control. We are planning for our Tournament, but have not and will not put tickets on-sale until a later date [if at all]. Mohegan Sun is currently the bubble location for Viacom's Showtime Boxing and Bellator properties."

As recently as a few weeks ago, the Gophers were reviewing contingency date options for December if the beginning of the college hoops season shifts to after Thanksgiving or later, including the HOF Tip-Off. They haven't committed to playing any nonconference games yet if dates are different than the current contracts.

On Tuesday, the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. was reported (also CBSSports.com) to be another preferred bubble destination.

Bubbles like the NBA and NHL working smoothly makes college coaches highly optimistic about playing.