With the college basketball season scheduled to begin next week, Eastern reiterated its attendance policy for the 2020-21 season. Start times for all men’s and women’s basketball home games were also released.

As has been the policy since the basketball season was announced, no fans will be allowed to attend Eastern basketball games this season.

This is of course to comply with COVID-19 guidelines set by the state.

The women’s team will play its home opener Nov. 25 and the men’s team will take the court at Lantz Arena Dec. 3.

There will be no fans allowed for the volleyball season as well, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 7 with the home opener set for Feb. 14.

Eastern also announced an extension to the ordering period for cardboard cutouts that can be purchased to fill the seats in Lantz Arena in lieu of fans during the basketball and volleyball seasons.

Orders made before Nov. 18 will still be processed. According to the athletic department’s website, cutouts cost $50 and can be purchased at eiu.edu/facespace.

The start times for the men’s and women’s basketball home games were announced, all of which will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Women’s Basketball

-Nov. 25 vs. UIC, 12 p.m.

-Dec. 4 vs. Northern Illinois, 6 p.m.

-Dec. 5 vs. TBA, 5 p.m.

-Dec. 18 vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 6 p.m.

-Jan. 2 vs. Tennessee Tech, 1 p.m.

-Jan. 7 vs. Murray State, 4:30 p.m.

-Jan. 9 vs. Austin Peay, 1 p.m.

-Jan. 14 vs. Morehead State, 4:30 p.m.

-Jan. 16 vs. Eastern Kentucky, 1 p.m.

-Feb. 4 vs. Belmont, 4:30 p.m.

-Feb. 6 vs. Tennessee State, 1 p.m.

-Feb. 25 vs. Southeast Missouri, 4:30 p.m.

-Feb. 27 vs. Tennessee-Martin, 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

Dec. 3 vs. Chicago State, 5 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. Western Illinois, 4 p.m.

Jan. 2 vs. Tennessee Tech, 4 p.m.

Jan. 5 vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 vs. Murray State, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Austin Peay, 4 p.m.

Jan. 14 vs. Morehead State, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. Eastern Kentucky, 4 p.m.

Feb. 4 vs. Belmont, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Tennessee State, 4 p.m.

Feb. 25 vs. Southeast Missouri, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 vs. Tennessee-Martin, 4 p.m.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].