I must be missing something. Many justices are approved after October 1.
A Term of the Supreme Court begins, by statute, on the first Monday in October. Usually Court sessions continue until late June or early July.
Time is of the essence, there may be no second chance for this one. They will organize screaming women toxic riots carrying mattresses on their backs. Femme freak shows will ensue, expect them by next week if they drag this out to Wednesday.
You are right- Hon. Justice Gorsuch was approved April 7th, mid session.
No idea, except that politically, the snowball smear machine is in gear with an election in November.