Ohio coach Jeff Boals met with members of the media Thursday afternoon to reveal the availability of some of the team’s top contributors. Boals delivered the news both AJ Clayton and Aidan Hadaway will miss time with injuries.
“In 30 years (of coaching), I’ve never had a 10-day stretch like this,” Boals said. “It’s up to me to uplift everybody and stay positive. We’ve got to figure things out. It might not be yesterday, today, or tomorrow, but eventually, we will. We’ve got a great group of guys in the locker room, and we will rally.”
Hadaway, who leads the team in rebounds and is among the team leaders in scoring, had surgery Tuesday to repair an ankle injury sustained on the road against Akron. Following surgery, whether Hadaway can return this season is doubtful.
Clayton, who was limited in his last few games, was ruled “out” by Boals as the team evaluates a potential leg injury. Clayton is still being evaluated and has no timetable for return.
While Clayton and Hadaway sit out with injuries, Boals delivered promising news on Elmore James, who took a step away from the team following Ohio’s tilt with Ball State.
“Elmore was back with us (Wednesday), so he’ll be back,” Boals said. “He will probably play (against Kent State).”
Without two starters, Boals will now look to every other team member to step up in their absence.
“I think everyone’s got to step up, especially when you play Kent State who is averaging close to 13 offensive rebounds per game,” Boals said. “Everyone who plays has to step up their game.”
