It's hard to get a smaller sample size, especially because so many of his tiny allotment of minutes has been in garbage time, but there's no doubt he looks relaxed out there. His silky jumper has been good for 2-3 from long range. Given the team's season-long shooting woes, I'd like to see a bit more of him in situations like last night.

Really was a stunning development to see Olumide out there in a pivotal stretch. I was more excited about the block than I was the three. Like all have mentioned here...having another body to contribute on the wing is helpful...especially with Roderick struggles. I know we keep saying it will turn around. We are getting to the point with #3 where we are now saying let's hope he finds it for the MAC tourney. Regular season is rapidly coming to a close and Roderick hasn't found it yet.

The question now is: Will Boals burn Olumide's redshirt? I believe he still has the right amount to qualify for a redshirt. I personally thought he looked comfortable out there. Sometimes with Towns I cringe when he gets the ball. He is an athletic guy who really works hard but Towns is not a ballhandler. Olumide seemed very confident taking passes, squaring up and definitely defending.

On another note, Ezuma looked more comfortable as well in extended minutes. He definitely is a bowling ball at times but there were spots last night where his activity at the rim was great.

Even though Sam and Clayton didn't play a ton last night I watched their body language at timeouts and they were engaged and energetic. Love the culture Boals has created!!!!

An injury redshirt is different from a voluntary redshirt. For the latter, you can't play at all, so redshirt is not an option for Olumide.

I was trying to watch several games at once last night, so maybe I missed this but what is the story on Carter sitting on the bench so much?

Injury? In the doghouse? Coach wanting a look more at younger guys?

Sometimes (generally speaking) guys end up in the portal if they don't get some floor time, so maybe it's time to start playing Ilumide and Ezuma (SP?) more.

I thought it might be a new Covid variant.

I apologize for that run-on sentence. It's Friday afternoon and I just don't care at this point.

The NCAA has thrown the rulebooks totally out the window.

I remember when Stallings was recruiting Peyton Willis at Vandy. And got him.

Now 3 head coaches at VU later, Willis is still playing NCAA D-1 basketball.

After VU, he went to Minnesota. And then College of Charleston. Now Minny again.

So he's in like what, his 7th year of college?

If the NCAA has decided that the rules are now that there are no rules...

I’ve seen enough - Start him! Bring BRod off the bench, take some pressure off of him .

At the risk of sounding naive about the way things work in D1 college athletics, we just need to ask ourselves what is the purpose of a scholarship? I understand that injuries and hardship happen, and if those things truly affect a person's ability to complete their degree on time, then of course such an exception should be made. But the idea that someone gets a 5th year because they were deemed not good enough to play yet? Well, that's why you have four years. Take coaching, practice hard and earn your way into the rotation. That's why you have more scholarships than players actually on the field at a given time. I'm very much in favor of athletic scholarships and the accompanying opportunity, but when is enough enough? If someone can't complete their degree in four years because of basketball, that means that there is too much time devoted to basketball/football or whatever else and that commitment should be dialed back via regulation. Athletes also have tutors, special study facilities, summer sessions to catch up or whatever. This is all good stuff. However, that brings me to my second question... What is the purpose of a redshirt year? What does it actually accomplish? is it so someone can improve their chances of becoming a pro? Is it to help make the NBA/NFL execs have easier decisions on more seasoned players? Again, my naivete on full display, that's not really the purpose of college athletics. Has any coach ever said to a player "I want you to take a redshirt year to ensure you'll complete your degree"? No, it's a decision based almost solely on the player's current ability.

There are profs who state "if you miss more than 20% of classes you will fail my class" even though the NCAA says that should not be a thing.... It does. My kid took Stats and Cluster in the middle of the season. Kind of insane but he got it figured out. Most athletes I talked to at OHIO tried to take the difficult classes in their majors when they did not have to travel for games.

As for the assumption that it should be done in 4 years.... I agree but the reality for a lot of NON athletes is that it is happening with less frequency. Not sure why athletes should be different than the gen pop.

This has been true for many years. Don’t think it’ll change any time soon.

Having said that how many of these majors do we have on our varsity teams? I suspect not more than 5-10 percent, and those I’d guess are primarily in sports other than basketball or football. Anybody have the actual numbers?