As a longtime college basketball analyst and Cleveland State alum, I've been tracking the Vikings' schedule release with particular interest this season. While most fans are busy circling rivalry games and planning road trips, there's an underlying story developing that could impact our entire conference. Let me walk you through what promises to be an electrifying season while addressing something I've noticed happening behind the scenes - something that reflects broader changes in college athletics.
The Vikings tip off their season on November 6th against local rival Akron, and frankly, there's no better way to start what should be a redemption season after last year's 18-14 finish. What really caught my eye though was the December 2nd showdown against Kentucky at Rupp Arena. This is exactly the kind of high-profile matchup that can make or break an NCAA tournament resume, and I've heard from multiple sources that our players have been working overtime to prepare for this exact challenge. The Horizon League schedule kicks off properly on December 28th against Oakland, but the game everyone's talking about is the January 15th rematch against archrival Wright State, who edged us out in last season's conference tournament semifinal. I've marked February 10th on my calendar too - that's when we host Milwaukee in what could very well decide the regular season championship.
Now, here's where things get interesting beyond the court. While analyzing this promising schedule, I couldn't help but think about the officiating situation that's been developing across college basketball. According to multiple sources I've spoken with, referees only realized a significant pay structure change upon receiving their actual paychecks last Thursday. What's particularly concerning is that officials for women's games are earning less than what they made during the previous two seasons - and this adjustment came abruptly without much warning. This isn't just about numbers on a paycheck; it's about maintaining the quality of officiating that our games deserve. When you have experienced officials potentially stepping away because of compensation issues, that affects the product on the court for every team, including our Vikings.
Looking at the rest of Cleveland State's schedule, the February 24th game at Northern Kentucky stands out as another potential thriller. Last season's double-overtime classic between these teams was one of the most exciting games I've covered in years, and with both teams returning most of their core players, we could be in for another instant classic. The regular season wraps up on March 2nd against Purdue Fort Wayne, giving us a solid finish before what we all hope will be a deep conference tournament run.
What troubles me about the officiating situation is the timing. These changes are happening right as college basketball is trying to regain its footing after several turbulent years. We're asking referees to be better than ever with instant replay and tighter foul calls, yet apparently we're paying them less in certain cases. I've spoken with several officials who requested anonymity, and they expressed genuine concern about how this might affect the pipeline for new talent entering the profession. If you're a young official looking at the compensation for women's games specifically decreasing from approximately $1,200 per game to around $900, would you stick with it? I'm not so sure.
Returning to the Vikings' schedule, I'm particularly excited about the non-conference slate that includes a November 20th trip to face West Virginia. That's exactly the kind of tough road environment that prepares a team for March. Coach Gates has done wonders with this program, and I believe this schedule sets us up perfectly for a return to the NCAA tournament. The December 10th game against Ohio University gives us another in-state bragging rights opportunity, while the January 6th contest at UIC starts the conference travel schedule.
Here's what I think needs to happen with this officiating situation - and I say this as someone who's been critical of referees at times throughout my career. The Horizon League and other conferences need to address this compensation issue transparently. We're potentially looking at a 25% reduction in pay for women's game officials compared to two seasons ago, and that simply doesn't align with the growing popularity and quality of women's college basketball. I've watched our Cleveland State women's team develop into a legitimate contender, and they deserve the same quality officiating as the men's program. This isn't just about fairness - it's about preserving the integrity of the game we all love.
As we count down to tipoff, I'm genuinely excited about both Cleveland State basketball teams and their potential this season. The men's schedule provides plenty of opportunities for statement wins, while the women's team looks poised for another strong campaign. But we can't ignore these behind-the-scenes developments that could ultimately affect the product on the court. The Vikings have all the pieces for a memorable season - now it's up to the entire ecosystem of college basketball to ensure that the framework supporting these games remains strong. I'll be watching from my usual seat near midcourt, cheering on the green and white while hoping the broader issues find sensible resolutions before they impact the beautiful game we've all gathered to enjoy.