So was Nick Terry and we went 5-21 that year.

Yes all road conference wins are absolutely good wins. I still think ball movement has been better, part of what has led to Sheldon's hot shooting streak as many of the ones he drained came off 2 or 3 passes setting up a good balanced open three.

That said, even in a comfortable victory we still see excellent opposing 3 point shot (47%) and not great 3 point shooting from us (37%)

Simmons was a beast, 9 for 10 from the field! Not to mention 3 blocks, not normally a big part of his game. I feel like if we are going to find a way to knock off Miami, Simmons having a night like this will be the key.

Kelly in foul trouble and quiet game but he made his 2 buckets count with a couple electric slams. Pavs also not amazing just didn't have the touch on the shot.

The insistence of 1 for 1 on bigs strategy remains bizarre to me. Breath is out and in response it results in 8 minutes for Evans while Kuany only gets 2. Why? Only because Hadaway played 38 and Simmons 32. Kuany can step in for Simmons and play alongside Hadaway...I don't know why coach sees that as a preposterous idea apparently.

The Hadaway hate has gotten out of control. We know he has a dick-ish vibe out there and it can be embarrassing, and we know he shoots too many threes. But this is a proud 4 year Bobcat that does a lot of really good things on the basketball court. We need his energy and productive work in the paint down the stretch...he is capable of being at the center of a run.

But I've said too much now, I will be labeled a weakling for dare being happy over winning a game we should win, and saying nice things about our players. The ever growing angry mob won't stand for such positivity...after all, we are NOT undefeated and in the top 25 and this is utterly unacceptable. To accept anything less is criminal, or something.

Agree 100% with this. Its going to awkward when Hadaway leads us on a run in Cleveland. Everybody complains about the portal but fail to put some respect on a guy that's been here and plays hard every night. Yes he's done some dumb shit over the years but I think his antics have been slightly overblown due to the struggles and expectations of this program, which I have no doubt Hadaway expects this program to be at the top of the league.

The crap we see on the court is undoubtedly dwarfed by the damage he's done to the program culture in the locker room. As a four-year guy, he should be expected to lead, yet he's among the least mature members of this year's team.

Oh?

Oh is right. Spill the tea if its there. If not, I'd be looking at Simmons as the one who is more harmful on the inside. New to the program, highest paid player (allegedly), throws the most temper tantrums, etc.

In fact, I remember after he fouled out against Ball state, I noticed our soft spoken PG actually show some fire when he told him to knock it off and go pick up the ball that he basically rolled away from the refs while arguing about his 5th foul. I thought that was pretty significant, maybe it was nothing.

I don't have any insider info but Hadaway being a "clubhouse cancer" would surprise me. Don't get me wrong, I think his on-court whining could have negative impacts thru the roster and culture (just like Boals overly whining to the refs) but my impression of Hadaway has been a good supportive teammate that the guys by in large like and respect.

Thanks for this Andrew, BA has just gotten ridiculously stupid with the know-it-all armchair crybabies who fall apart when we struggle, all the way down to 4th place, and they seem to get off on directly pissing on our most hardworking and loyal student athletes in particular. Go Bobcats.

Boals has told people he has "zero leadership" in the locker room. He is very frustrated.

And, whose fault is that? Frank had a problem of disharmony in the locker room one year. It was very bad. He was likewise very frustrated. He took responsibility, talked to the offenders, made adjustments, and solved the problem. Things were different the next year. I don't like mixing sports, but some coaches have leadership qualities that help them overcome these kinds of situations. Jeff is a great guy, but I fear he doesn't have the leadership skills to deal with these kinds of situations. I'm not saying he's not trying. Let me add that I personally don't have these skills either, but I'm not being paid the big bucks to coach D1 basketball either.

I don't think you're wrong thinking it eventually falls on Boals, but players have to lead at some point. If it's not Hadaway then someone else should step up. If they feel like they can't, that's a different story.

This is basically exactly what you shared last year, too.

I don't know how anybody watching this team could come away believing that Simmons throws more tantrums than Hadaway. Hadaway is truly the whiniest, cockiest player I can remember us ever having. He basically never shuts up, complains about every call, is constantly talking to the other team.

Simmons has shown his frustration plenty. But for long stretches he just puts his head down and plays hard.

I agree with that, however this is what I do appreciate about Hadaway. He is from the Chattanooga area (more or less) and turned down offers from high tuition D-1 private schools like Belmont and Lipscomb which were way closer to him so that he could spend four years here in Athens.

This is pure speculation -- I truly have no idea. But I've been wondering if a big part of Boals' recruiting price pitch these days is that he's a "players coach" and he's basically pitching them on a wide-open, iso heavy style that gives players a lot of freedom. Along with that, I get the sense he rewards retention by promising 4 year guys the keys and a central role, whether warranted or not. Just a guess, of course. But it seems like it would explain some things.

Yes. All of this.