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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Because of the coronavirus threat, nobody knows for certain when or even if the 2020 college football season will happen. NCAA officials and programs are trying to plan as best they can. The NCAA announced the creation of a committee to look at issues such as how much preseason practice and conditioning would be required. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says discussion is just beginning after most programs had spring football practice shortened or wiped out.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa All-America center Luka Garza is entering the NBA draft process without an agent so he can maintain his college eligibility. Garza was runner-up to Dayton’s Obi Toppin for Associated Press national player of the year after becoming the first Big Ten player to average at least 26 points per game in conference play since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994. Garza scored 20 or more in a school-record 16 straight Big Ten games. Coach Fran McCaffery says he supports Garza's decision. Garza must withdrawal from the draft by May 29 to remain eligible at Iowa.
UNDATED (AP) — First-year college football coaches have been put even further behind because of the shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. New coaches already have plenty of ground to make up, from getting to know assistant coaches and players to installing new systems on both sides of the ball. The shutdowns have made their situation even more complicated as they try to build a foundation in preparation for next season while not knowing when it will begin.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Ivy League scoring leader Mike Smith says he’s transferring to Michigan. The 5-foot-11 Smith averaged 22.8 points a game last season at Columbia. He’s ranked 11th by ESPN.com among grad transfers with immediate eligibility. Smith missed most of the 2018-19 season because of a torn meniscus, but he came back strong while playing heavy minutes. Smith scored at least 14 points in every game in 2019-20. Michigan needs help in the backcourt after the loss of senior Zavier Simpson. The school also announced recently that guard David DeJulius intended to enter the transfer portal. Smith announced his move on Twitter.
UNDATED (AP) — Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season was delayed until October because of the new coronavirus. The season is scheduled to begin with seven FBS games on Aug. 29 before the majority of teams play their openers the following week.
UNDATED (AP) — Over or under? Las Vegas oddsmakers have projected win totals for every team in major college football from Clemson to Kansas. On the latest AP College Football Top 25 Podcast, Chris Fallica of ESPN — aka The Bear from “College GameDay” — joins the AP’s Ralph Russo to give his early plays on what teams will exceed their projections or fall short.
UNDATED (AP) — College baseball stands to benefit from Major League Baseball's decision to shorten its 2020 draft to as few as five rounds and limit signing bonuses for undrafted free agents to $20,000. The college game also will have older and more experienced players because of the NCAA's decision to allow players whose season was shut down by the coronavirus pandemic to return to school in 2021 with the same eligibility standing as in 2020. Michigan coach Erik Bakich says the talent level in the college game could be the deepest ever.
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