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Kent State released the non-conference schedule for the 2013-2014 season today. It features some challenging contests and nine (!) home games. Here's the full schedule:
Date |
Opponent |
||
November 8 |
Ohio Northern |
- |
- |
November 11 |
Temple |
39 |
62 |
November 13 |
Seton Hall |
129 |
109 |
November 17 |
St. Peter's |
289 |
282 |
November 21 |
Western Carolina |
244 |
235 |
November 22 |
USC-Upstate |
230 |
193 |
November 23 |
Niagara |
132 |
138 |
November 27 |
Youngstown State |
192 |
200 |
December 1 |
Kennesaw State |
341 |
330 |
December 4 |
Bucknell |
54 |
66 |
December 21 |
Charleston |
152 |
154 |
December 28 |
Cleveland State |
196 |
266 |
December 31 |
Princeton |
125 |
92 |
Note: Bold games are home games
The Flashes play two games against NCAA Tournament competition (Temple and Bucknell) and also have good match-ups with Charleston, Princeton and Seton Hall. It was weird to see only two major conference teams (Seton Hall and Temple), but look for Kent State to give both of them a game. Remember, Kent State has beaten a major conference foe the last two seasons in road games at West Virginia and at Nebraska. Temple might be a tough hill to climb, but Seton Hall is definitely there for the taking.
The Flashes are also taking part in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, and are hosting the three games from November 21-23. The Seton Hall game is also a part of that tournament.
It's always good to see the Northeastern Ohio teams playing each other; it has almost become a mini-rivalry between Akron, Kent State, Cleveland State, and Youngstown State. Hopefully they continue to schedule each other so that the fanbases will be able to travel to some games during the season.
Kent State loses Randal Holt and Chris Evans, but still should have a strong nucleus. That's a lot of scoring to replace, but the Flashes have been building on quality transfers (K.K. Simmons and Derek Jackson) and JUCOs to fill the void. With this schedule, I don't see any reason the Flashes can't get to twenty wins yet again.