MM 6.26: NCAA extends recruiting dead period through August 31

The NCAA Division I Council announced Thursday that the recruiting dead period will be extended through Aug. 31.

“The full Council and the Council Coordination Committee will continue to review the recruiting dead periods on a regular basis. A dead period precludes all in-person recruiting. Phone calls and correspondence can continue to occur,” the NCAA released in a statement.

Division I recruiting has been in a dead period since early March due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The biggest affect this has is on perspective athletes in football and basketball, as they cannot visit campuses or see coaching staffs in-person.

Despite this extension, the recent announcement that men’s and women’s basketball programs could begin up to eight weeks of required athletic activities starting on July 20 has not changed.

In other news

The Testudo Times women’s basketball bracket has reached the Sweet sSxteen. While voting on-site has ended, you can still cast your votes in this Twitter thread.

Maryland football posted a throwback to Steve Suter’s iconic punt return against West Virginia in the 2004 Gator Bowl.

Maryland men’s basketball went back even further to bring back this dunk from Steve Francis.

Maryland women’s basketball has lived in the top-25 in recent years, good for the third longest streak in the country.

Maryland men’s baseball had some attrition Thursday, with redshirt junior catcher Tavan Shahidi transferring to Campbellsville University in Kentucky.