In about five weeks, college basketball teams across the country will take the floor in what should one of the most unique seasons in the history of the sport.
There are no exhibition games or secret scrimmages, all they have at their disposal is 42 days of practice to ensure they're ready.
That makes the next month critically important.
After an offseason highlighted by uncertainty, Xavier started official practices this week.
"You think about this whole offseason and all the uncertainty along the lines of COVID-19 and all the sudden you're allowed to practice," said Xavier men's basketball coach Travis Steele.