Division III schools voted to start the men's and women's basketball season on a consistent date, Nov. 15, starting in 2008, as part of the legislative process at the NCAA's annual convention.

The vote, by a margin of 248-185, means that Division III basketball will have the same start date every year, exactly one month after the first permissible day of preseason practice, Oct. 15. Previously, the first date of the season was the Friday before Thanksgiving and would vary from year to year.

&&b-boxr&&In 2008, the season will start six days earlier than it would have previously, lengthening the calendar of games while keeping the season itself at 19 weeks, from tipoff to Final Four.

The Division III membership also voted to restrict usage of male practice players in women's sports by a narrow 223-206 margin, with 17 abstentions. Only three men can be used in a women's basketball practice, and just one day per week. Those practice players must have intercollegiate eligibility remaining and will use a season of basketball eligibility in order to participate. For discussion and other news from the convention vote, check out the Daily Dose.