CLEVELAND - The men's basketball Mid-American Conference Tournament started Tuesday in Cleveland. Below are some news and notes from the first day of the tournament.
Kent State guard suspendedKent State University suspended junior guard Chris Singletary for its opening-round game in the MAC Tournament. Singletary was ejected from Sunday's season finale against the University of Akron after he punched Zips senior forward Nate Linhart. The game officials called a flagrant foul, which does not carry a mandatory suspension.
Akron coach Keith Dambrot said Monday that Singletary had a history of cheap shots. Before the suspension was announced he also said he trusted Kent State coach Geno Ford to make the correct decision.
Ball State University freshman guard Randy Davis was ejected from the Cardinals' first game against Central Michigan University, but did not receive further punishment. Davis got into a scuffle with junior guard Robbie Harmon and replays showed Davis throw a punch.
Advanced scoutingBall State assistant coaches Bob Simmons and Jay Newberry were on hand for Tuesday's opening game against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. The Chippewas won 62-49 and will meet the Cardinals in the quarterfinals Thursday.
In addition scouts from the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies have been credentialed and will likely arrive later in the week.
Fresh paintWith the conference debuting a new logo this year, there is a new look floor for this year's tournament. Gone is the red and yellow color scheme and semicircles painted like basketballs. The court is now green and blue to match the official conference logo.
Budget cuts Fans were left to listen to typical NBA arena music throughout Tuesday's opening round as the schools chose to keep their bands, cheerleader, dance teams and mascots home. Gary Richter, assistant MAC commissioner in charge of media relations, said the schools' entertainment groups would be in Cleveland for the quarterfinals.
Neutral court advantage Quicken Loans Arena is the neutral site for the MAC tournament, but the drive is much closer for some fans. Kent State and Akron are both within an hour from downtown Cleveland. Ford said the Golden Flashes' fans were as important to his team as senior guard Al Fisher.
"They gave the kids some life," Ford said. "It was the second or third best atmosphere we had all year and it was on a neutral court."
Fisher, the reigning MAC Player of the Year, scored 25 points and had five assists in its opening round 64-61 defeat of Northern Illinois University.
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