We may have a date for the Flashes’ first game, and it’s against an opponent we never expected.
If all goes well on the COVID-19 front, the Flashes could open against Mid–American Conference opponent Ohio University on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the M.A.C. Center. (The Ohio date is firm; it’s possible there could be an earlier game.)
It would be the first time in school history KSU opened with a conference game. Usually MAC play doesn’t start until after Christmas and a full non-conference schedule.
It’s another thing the pandemic has made unique in 2020.
Coach Todd Starkey updated reporters on the team and the schedule on a Zoom press conference Wednesday.
Starkey said the team, which saw practice “paused” last week because of COVID-related issues, has returned to the court on a very limited basis. That means some players are working individually with one coach. If all goes well, practice can ramp up from there.
A most complicated schedule
It’s possible that the Ohio game won’t be Kent’s first. Starkey said he’s working every day on the schedule and might try to fit in a game earlier next week.
“I can honestly tell you that our non-conference schedule in the past four weeks has changed no less than 15 times,” the coach said, “whether it be changing dates of games or postponing or pushing games to next year, or somebody gets dropped and you have to put another game in place.”
The Flashes originally hoped to open Sunday at Northern Kentucky, but the COVID problems canceled that. Starkey also said the Flashes also had had a game with St. Bonaventure canceled because of COVID.
Starkey said the virus had disrupted schedules of 196 Division I teams (out of about 350). MAC teams Akron, Miami, Toledo and Buffalo had their openers canceled (though the Bulls found a substitute opponent).
“It’s kind of crazy,” Starley said. “We’re looking for games and being prepared for things to be canceled.
“I’m on a group text with about 20 coaches in the Midwest. We’re posting when games get canceled, and it’s like, “Can you play on this date?”
“It’s going to be like that all year.”
The Dec. 5 Ohio game appeared on the KSU schedule this week. The Flashes will play at Toledo on Sunday, Dec. 13. That game was originally scheduled for Dec. 30.
Starkey said that moving the Toledo game gave players a chance to be home for a few days at Christmas. Moving the Ohio game allows an empty date in the schedule after Christmas where a postponed MAC game could be rescheduled.
All MAC teams have two conference games in December.
About Ohio
Ohio was picked second in the league behind Central Michigan. The Bobcats have four starters back from last season’s 20-11 team, including all-MAC forward Erica Johnson and all-MAC guard Cece Hooks. Johnson had 31 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday in OU’s 76-72 opening game win against Liberty. The Flames were 19-11 last season.
The Bobcats are scheduled to host Notre Dame Friday.
“For us to be ready to play one of the top teams in the league right out of the gate, off this pause, is a tall task,” Starkey said. “But at the same time, this whole season is not going to be an even playing field.
“There are going to be teams that are in some sort of quarantine or coming out of some sort of quarantine throughout the year. Either you or your opponent may or may not have gotten in a full week of practice before you play. It’s just the way it is.
“We’re just happy to be bouncing the ball in the gym and have games on the schedule.”
Notes
• The whole team was in Kent for Thanksgiving. Anyone going home, Starkey said, could bring back the virus and set back the team further.
• Kent State has formally applied for a waiver to the NCAA rules to allow Penn State transfer Bexley Wallace to play this season. Most — but not all — such requests have been granted this season to allow teams as many players as possible in the pandemic.
• Sophomore guard Katie Shumate is recovering well from off-season knee surgery, Starkey said, and is likely to be able to play at some point this season. She has worked out in the gym but hasn’t participated in full drills.
Opening day MAC scores
- No. 25 Michigan 93, Central Michigan 75 at Michigan. Michaela Kelley, the returning MAC player of the year, had 30 and sophomore guard Molly Davis 24, but CMU got pounded on the boards by the Wolverines., 41-23.
- Milwaukee 67, Ball State 56 at Milwaukee. Senior Oshlynn Brown, a preseason all-MAC selection, didn’t play for BSU.
- Ohio 76, Liberty 72 at OU. Ohio trailed 25-14 after the first quarter.
- Eastern Michigan 65, Southern Illinois 52. Areanna Combs had 24 for Eastern.
- IUPUI 85, Northern Illinois 61 at Northern. IUPUI is the Horizon League preseason favorite.