Yeagley’s Hoosiers receive further clarity on season

Although the Quest for Nine remains on hold, the starting line is now in sight.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a plan for conducting fall championships during the spring semester, finalizing start dates for the regular season and NCAA Tournament, and outlining changes to the postseason format.

For Indiana’s men’s soccer program, Feb. 3 is the earliest the season may begin. Postseason selections will be made April 18 and the College Cup will run May 13 to 17. The tournament will look different this year, with the field reduced from 48 teams to 36. Of those three dozen participants, 24 will be automatic qualifiers — so that part won’t change. The change will be felt on the bubble, with only 12 at-large bids being doled out.

College Soccer News ranked IU sixth nationally in its preseason poll released last month.

The other fall sports received their marching orders as well on Tuesday. Here’s how they all break down:

WOMEN’S SOCCER

First game: Feb. 3
Selections: April 18
Championship dates: May 13-17
Bracket size: 48
Automatic bids: 31
At-large bids: 17

CROSS COUNTRY

First event: Jan. 23
Selections: March 6
Championship dates: March 15
Bracket size: 255 per gender
Automatic bids: N/A
At-large bids: 255 per gender

FIELD HOCKEY

First game: Feb. 12
Selections: April 24
Championship dates: May 7-9
Bracket size: 12
Automatic bids: 10
At-large bids: 2

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

First game: Jan. 22
Selections: April 4
Championship dates: April 23-25
Bracket size: 48
Automatic bids: 32
At-large bids: 16