Report: NCAA to change rules for scrimmages and exhibitions

  • 06/19/2024 9:00 am in

Last fall, on his weekly radio show, Indiana coach Mike Woodson enthusiastically discussed the potential for the Hoosiers to play exhibition games against elite competition.

“To play an exhibition game against Duke, a team like that, it’d be unbelievable,” Woodson told Don Fischer last October. “We’d have a packed house. I know that.”

According to a report published Tuesday on social media, the NCAA will change the rules for scrimmages and exhibitions, which could make an exhibition like the one Woodson mentioned a reality in the future.

The new rules would allow schools to play “up to” two intrasquad scrimmages at an off-campus location. Schools could also play two exhibition games against NCAA-affiliated schools, including Division I.

According to the report, it would be permissible to publicize the scrimmages and exhibitions and sell tickets.

Currently, most pre-season exhibitions between Division I programs are played behind closed doors. These exhibitions are often referred to as “secret scrimmages.” These exhibitions are closed to fans and media and cannot be publicized.

The exception in recent years has been for charity games. Teams can play a charity game to raise funds after a catastrophic event if they do not exceed two preseason events.

The NCAA has yet to announce any changes to rules regarding scrimmages or exhibitions as of Wednesday morning.

Last season, Indiana played exhibition games against a pair of in-state opponents, Marian University and the University of Indianapolis.

Filed to: