As a longtime follower of college basketball and someone who's covered the Cleveland State Vikings for over a decade, I've learned that understanding a team's schedule goes beyond just dates and opponents. This season, I'm particularly excited about the Vikings' prospects, especially with what appears to be a favorable home game lineup that could really play to our strengths. But before we dive into the schedule specifics, I need to address something that's been bothering me about the broader landscape of college basketball – something that directly connects to our Vikings program in ways most fans might not immediately recognize.
The recent revelation about officiating pay cuts in women's basketball really struck a chord with me. According to multiple sources, the adjustment came abruptly, with referees only realizing the change upon receiving their actual pay on Thursday. What's particularly concerning is that officials for women's games are now earning less than what they had earned the past two seasons – I've heard numbers suggesting a 15-20% reduction in some cases. This matters for our Vikings because it speaks to the broader ecosystem of college athletics that both our men's and women's programs operate within. When I look at Cleveland State's schedule this season, I see 16 home games at the Wolstein Center, which gives us a significant advantage, but I also wonder about the quality of officiating we'll see throughout the conference given these compensation changes.
Looking at the non-conference slate, I'm particularly excited about our early December matchup against Kentucky – a game that could really put Cleveland State on the national map if we perform well. The Horizon League schedule then kicks into full gear in January, with what I consider to be a crucial three-game homestand against Oakland, Detroit Mercy, and Northern Kentucky. Having watched this team develop over the years, I believe these conference games will determine whether we finish in the top four of the league – my prediction is we'll end up third with a 12-6 conference record, though I know some analysts have us finishing as low as sixth.
The officiating pay situation becomes relevant here because quality refereeing is crucial for the integrity of these conference games. I've noticed over the years that when officials feel undervalued, it can subtly impact game quality – not through intentional poor calls, but through perhaps less thorough preparation or even higher turnover among experienced officials. For a program like Cleveland State that's looking to build consistency, this external factor could influence close games, of which I count at least seven on our schedule that I'd classify as potential "toss-ups."
What really excites me about this year's schedule is the balance between challenging opponents and winnable games. The November tournament in Florida will test our young players early, but I think it'll pay dividends come February when we're battling for postseason positioning. Personally, I've always believed that scheduling two or three "stretch" games against power conference opponents builds character, even if we don't win them all. The December 18th game at Ohio State is a perfect example – it's a rivalry game that gets our players up for the challenge, and the exposure helps with recruiting throughout Northeast Ohio.
The financial aspects of college sports have become increasingly complex, and the officiating pay situation is just one piece of that puzzle. When I consider that women's officials are seeing compensation reductions while the NCAA tournament continues to generate substantial revenue – reportedly over $900 million annually from the men's tournament alone – it creates a dissonance that troubles me as someone who cares about the health of the entire sport. For Cleveland State specifically, where both our men's and women's programs are important to the university community, ensuring quality officiating across the board should be a priority.
As we look toward the crucial February stretch of the schedule, I'm particularly focused on how our backcourt will handle the pressure of road games at Wright State and UIC – traditionally tough venues for visiting teams. Having attended games at both arenas over the years, I can attest to the challenging environments, which makes competent officiating even more critical. If the reported pay cuts lead to less experienced crews working these important conference games, it could inadvertently affect outcomes in ways that hurt teams like Cleveland State that rely on precise execution in half-court sets.
What I find most promising about this year's Vikings schedule is the timing of key games. The late January matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne comes at a point where teams typically hit their stride, and with five returning starters, I like our chances in that one. Then there's the regular-season finale against Milwaukee – a game that could have seeding implications for the Horizon League tournament. Having covered this program since 2010, I've seen how these final regular-season games can create momentum heading into March.
The conversation around officiating compensation ultimately connects to the quality of the product we see on the court. While I'm excited about the potential of this Cleveland State team – I genuinely believe they could win 22 games this season – the broader context of college basketball's infrastructure matters. As fans, we invest emotionally in these games, planning our winters around the schedule, traveling to support the team on the road, and creating the atmosphere that makes the Wolstein Center special. We deserve games officiated by professionals who feel valued for their expertise.
As the season approaches, I'm marking my calendar for what I consider the can't-miss games – the rivalry matchups against Akron, the conference battles with Wright State, and those intriguing non-conference tests that will show us what this team is really made of. The schedule sets the stage for what could be a memorable season for Cleveland State basketball, provided the broader ecosystem supporting these games remains strong. After following this program through ups and downs for over a decade, I'm optimistic about what lies ahead, while remaining conscious of the structural challenges that extend far beyond the court.