INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Five-star freshman Cody Williams played in his first NCAA Tournament game against Boise State and got a win, “In March you win any way you can and just really gutting that out it kind of shows our toughness,” Williams said as he sat at his locker after beating the Broncos in Dayton.
The team won but Williams struggled individually: no points in 11 Minutes (0-4 FG) off the bench. He’s usually a starter, but Williams has battled injuries all season and has missed a lot of practice time and game reps. The Buffs know he’s talented and capable, and they’re supporting him through it all, “Everyone goes through it,” said forward Javon Hadley, who has also dealt with his own injury struggles this season. “That's mainly the message. No matter how old you are, junior, sophomore, super senior, seventh year, it doesn't matter. Everyone is going to go through injuries. Everyone is going to battle different things, whether it be personal issues, stuff on the court, off the court. It doesn't matter, everyone is going to go through something that's going to throw off their game a little bit. Everyone is going to experience something. Your teammates are there for you and they're going to pick up your slack.”
Tad Boyle recruited Williams with the thought that he would play a major role in getting his team to the NCAA Tournament. He still believes in his young freshman, “His year has been tough in terms of start, stop, start, stop with his injuries, and unfortunately this one came at a time of the season where we haven't had a lot of quality practices. So he's rehabbing on the side, trying to get back into shape with an ankle. It's hard to get the cardio that you need to come back once you're out two and a half, three weeks, whatever that was.”
“We haven't had any quality practices, so that's been really unfortunate for him to get those game reps and practices, which are so important. But I've got confidence in him. I really do. And his teammates have confidence in him. Every game is a different game, and who knows what's going to happen tomorrow. You've just got to be ready when your number is called.”
Williams is still adjusting to coming off the bench. But the Buffs Head Coach realizes it has not affected him negatively, “He's a wonderful young man, and he's a team-first guy, which I appreciate. We're going to keep encouraging him and helping him as best we can.”