Richard Pitino wants to see his Gophers basketball team back on campus just to be around his players again more than anything. But the issue of safety is the most important step before their return.
The NCAA voted last week to allow athletic activities on campuses starting Monday.

The University of Minnesota hasn't announced when its athletes are returning, but the NCAA released Friday a plan from its medical experts that would help sports teams return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Pitino shared his thoughts on his players being allowed back possibly soon, how college basketball might look different when it returns to competition next season and more.
He was joined during a Strib Live virtual town hall by Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Q: The Gophers haven't said when athletes will be allowed back on campus in June, but what concerns do you have when your players return?
A: I think the biggest thing is we've got Marcus Carr is in Canada. That's over the border, so what does that mean for him? Or what does that mean for my [kids] from Texas in Tre' Williams and [Sam Freeman]. I know the most important thing is the safety part of it. Making sure the families, the kids, the student-athletes feel really, really good about us bring them back. Making sure that model is right. As crazy as it sounds, I'm always itching to get back with our guys. I am, but let's make sure we are turning everything over in case something does happen that we have all those [things in place]. I told [Gophers athletics director] Mark Coyle, I used to think your job is easy and my job is hard. I told him the other day, 'We've got it reversed now. You may actually have the harder job.'
A lot of schools, football more than basketball because we have a little bit more time. But they are concerned about a level playing field in this all. Some guys are coming back earlier than others.