The Missouri Valley Conference announced on Nov. 20 there will be a new conference schedule released due to the changes in the scheduling format. 

Previously, each MVC team was playing most conference opponents once at home and once away, like in previous seasons. 

Following Friday’s decision, the MVC will now have teams play a back-to-back series at the same location, rather than teams alternating locations.

“The new format significantly reduces travel and places an emphasis on the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff,” the MVC announced on Friday. “The Conference will continue to play an 18-game format in which most MVC teams will face one another in a two-game series on back-to-back days at the same site.”

According to the MVC, each school will play four road series and four home series and will also face their designated ‘travel partner’ in a single-game, home-and-home series.

The new schedule will be released in early December, while all conference play will begin after Christmas. The conference tournament will not be affected by this scheduling change. With the men’s tournament from March 4-7 and women’s tournament from March 11-14.

The MVC also announced that they will be using devices during practice and games to help with contact tracing.

“KINEXON SafeZone technology utilizes lightweight, wearable devices, called SafeTags, which will be used conference-wide by basketball student-athletes, coaches and select staff during practices and games.  SafeTags can accurately calculate the proximity between individuals by distance and length of time in order to perform quick and accurate contact tracing,” the MVC said.

Sports reporter Ryan Scott can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter @RyanscottDE. 

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