Big Ten men's basketball play began with four conference games "just two days after Christmas," and the "reason for this year's abridged holiday break ... stems from television, bowl games and a calendar that backs up the college basketball season," according to Brendan Quinn of MLIVE.com. Many people agree the "early start is not ideal." This week in most previous seasons was "used for time off or an extra non-conference game," as the "only other time the Big Ten opened" on Dec. 27 was in '11-12. Games this season are "falling on the 27th and 28th to accommodate open TV windows and avoid bowl conflicts." However, if this season's start dates "seem untimely, next season's will feel transformative." The Big Ten in '17-18 will "play its conference tournament one week early" -- from Feb. 28-March 4 -- so it can be held at MSG. The change will "lop one week off the regular season and condense the schedule further." Big Ten Senior Associate Commissioner for TV Administration Mark Rudner said that conference coaches have "petitioned the league to discontinue games played between Christmas and New Year's Day" beginning next season. The goal is to "provide mandatory time off for players." Rudner: "That's what the coaches want and they have the support of the athletic directors and the administrators. It's to give the players the week of Christmas-New Year's week off. So there'd be no conference games, no non-conference games." But Quinn noted the shorter season, "plus the request for a week off, of course, will require some dramatic changes." Following '17-18, some "normalcy will return." The Big Ten Tournament will "go back to its normal week and be held in Chicago" in '19 and '21, and in Indianapolis in '20 and '22. Ultimately, the Big Ten "could play a lead role in the NCAA ultimately reexamining the official start date of the season" (MLIVE.com, 12/27).
