I’m sensing we lack the alpha dog leader that we’ve had so many times over the last 20 years or so. Am I wrong? Or is that not necessary?

Watching this team, I think it's clear that Boals is trying to figure out what he has with his youngsters.

Based on their early returns, I believe he's high on AJ Brown, Sheldon and Hadaway. It's going to take time but this freshmen class has talent. We're going to see a lot of Brown/Hadaway as the season progresses.

It's nice to see Roderick find his shot. He looks a lot more comfortable in bench role.

Definitely missed DW3 out there today but didn't need him to take down Alabama State.

Clayton played with solid energy and I even thought Wiznitzer looked okay early. Gabe is definitely a project but he's at least playable. I've seen a lot of people hard on him which I think is a result of HS recruiting profile and transferring from Louisville. He needs work but he's not completely lost on the court.

I'm okay with the production from Hunter/Miles Brown but a little concerned about how Baker fits in.

I feel like Baker is playing his way into next man up after BRod off the bench. We can’t get away with the 3 6’1 guys starting anyway.

I spoke with Boals during halftime of a game at Peden and he used these words exactly:" I like this team a lot but I'm worried about one thing...we've got no alpha dog." No lie.

That was awesome, wish I could find a video of it.

I was surprised by the complete lack of students. I get it, the last day of break, traveling, family, getting back into the swing of things, etc. But it's an easy leave late morning to get back in time for the game that I would think a few dozen students would do. I literally did not see a single student other than the 110 and some of the Women's team. I took advantage and watched from the Ozone with my kids.

Miles Brown should be the alpha dog. I feel like we have under-utilized him to some extent during his time here, or in some ways he was under-utilized himself. He has the ball skills and outside shot to be the guy with the ball. He is already our go-to on defense. He is playing really well this year and I hope he uses his Covid year next year.

AJ Clayton needs to be the guy he was yesterday. Exactly what we need. He looked like a post player. He is definitely stronger and more athletic than last year. Very encouraged by what I saw from him.

Wiz is KVK 2.0. Absolutely maddening and downright embarrassing at times (he got completely crossed over and tripped to the ground like a baby giraffe midway thru the 2nd half). He had 2 absolutely terrible turnovers, and a few other gaffes. But he also rebounded well and had some nice moments. Let's hope his career continues like KVK's did. Recall many people loathed him his first 2 years but by graduation he was a hero.

Nothing personal on Baker I just still wish we didn't pick him up. Would've preferred just more Miles/B-rod/Freshmen than bringing in the journeyman for one year. He isn't a bad player he just doesn't bring much in the way of shot-making and assists. He does seem to play good defense.

I want to see more of all 4 freshmen. What that looks like in terms of who loses minutes, I am not sure. But I honestly like what I see in all 4. AJ Brown is an absolute athlete, it is obvious to the naked eye. I'd love to see him starting by January.

The post-game tournament awards "ceremony" was really awkward. Yikes.

Boals let it slip in the post-game that we're finalizing plans to play in the Bahamas next year. Not the Atlantis one, the other one (Baha Mar is it?).

Yeah, the Bahamas tournament that Ball State is playing in, which appears to only be broadcast on Flosports. It's just mid majors which kind of sucks because these are usually easy ways to get a few P5s on the schedule.

Devon Baker scored 16 points at Detroit and has scored only 16 points in the three games since. With him being here for one year only, if AJ Brown is anywhere close to equal ability in practice, the two should swap roles. Build AJ up for the future.

The Elmore James comment in postgame sounded like EJ is in a bit of a doghouse, but at least understands what he has to do to get out.

Hadaway looks like he could blossom into senior year Treg Setty in the not too distant future. He attacks downhill, has a jumper, and plays with high energy.

Are we sure that tourney is just mid-majors? If we’re in the Baha Mar next year, it’s headlined by Providence, K-State, and Miami. https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/posts/providence-miami-an...

After games 1-3, I thought it was pretty clear that Boals brought Baker into be a shot maker and our primary scorer. That seems to have disappeared recently but IMO we still need him to get his shots up during the non-con schedule.

I think Baker could be that "alpha dog" scorer but needs to catch fire here soon or those plans could change and complicate things on offense.