CLEVELAND — On Wednesday, Cleveland State University released its schedules for Horizon League play in men's and women's basketball.
The Vikings men's basketball team will open the 2020-21 Horizon League conference schedule on the road against Robert Morris University on December 19 and December 20. Click here for the complete men's basketball conference schedule.
Potential non-conference games between Nov. 25 and the start of conference play are being considered and will be announced when finalized.
In an effort to limit travel, meet NCAA testing protocols, and provide time between new opponents, Horizon League contests in 2020-21 will be played against the same opponent in a back-to-back weekend series, either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday, with each team playing a total of 20 league matchups.
Both the men’s and women’s programs will host a total of five weekend series, with men’s/women’s doubleheaders in four of the five series. Tipoff times will be announced at a later date.
“It’s an exciting day for myself and our program,” said men’s basketball head coach Dennis Gates. “I would first like to thank Cleveland State President Harlan Sands, Director of Athletics Scott Garrett, and our CSU Athletics Resocialization Committee for their leadership, ensuring that our players return to play in a safe manner. I am so proud of the amount of patience, understanding and flexibility our young men and their parents have displayed since March up until this moment. Our program has been working extremely hard during the offseason and we cannot wait to get out on the court and compete in this incredible league.”
Due to the conditions created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cleveland State will begin the season with no spectators inside the Wolstein Center. League safety protocols will prohibit spectators at all conference games through at least December 31, 2020, while CSU will work with local health officials to evaluate future spectator plans should those factors significantly improve. All games will continue to be streamed on ESPN digital platforms.
The Vikings women’s basketball team will also open league play against Robert Morris with home games at the Wolstein Center on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13. Click here for the complete women's basketball schedule.
Editor's Note: The below interview with Dave "Dino" DeNatale and Cleveland State men's basketball coach Dennis Gates was recorded on September 30, 2020
