Photo Courtesy of AUM Athletics
By: Tasker Wheeler
The Auburn University at Montgomery men’s basketball team was set to play at University of Alabama at Huntsville on Jan. 20, but due to freezing temperatures, the game was postponed until the following Monday, according to AUM Athletics.
This UAH game, as is any game during conference season, can result in a huge impact on the players– win or lose. Especially after the daunting loss the Warhawks endured the previous week, they were eager for the next game winning whistle.
On the day it was announced the game was cancelled, graduate student and transfer point guard Travis Anderson answered a few questions. The six-foot student athlete spoke about game cancellations and the impact it can have on the team’s morale, primarily the game readiness in weekly preparation. Game postponements and cancellations are not uncommon but are deflating in morale with the amount of time spent on the court in practice, Anderson said. “There is a slight impact because of the days leading up to practice, we are gearing up to go play both mentally and physically. Once the game is cancelled, that energy is deflated a little. And it restarts game preparation till whenever the next game may be.”
A similar “weather” situation occurred earlier this season, a game against West Florida meant to be played in Pensacola, Florida. But again, due to the weather, this game was postponed for the foreseeable future. I asked Anderson a question about how earlier in the spring basketball season, the game against West Florida was canceled due to weather. Seeing as though this is becoming a frequent occurrence, Anderson said the team is staying positive. His reply came with the utmost authenticity and motivation, saying, “With everyone having experiences with COVID dealt with situations like this. We understand that it is something that is beyond our control and we have to continue to roll with it. Knowing we don’t have many games left in the season, we have to appreciate each moment with each other regardless of what happens.”
Before the UAH game on Jan. 20, a weather report about hard freeze warnings in Huntsville was released. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported that by 7 a.m., temperatures ranged from negative 1 degree Fahrenheit near Huntsville. Coaching and athletics staff monitored the weather and agreed to postpone the game due to safety concerns on the icy roads to and from Huntsville as temperatures dropped with highs two degrees under freezing. Although this was not the result the players may have wanted, the game was played just two days after the regularly scheduled date.
Anderson said with words of encouragement, “I feel the team is ready to win the next game, having the game pushed back allows us to prepare a little more. The hard part on the other side will be battling three games in one week, but taking it one game at a time, one day at a time.”
He added, “I try to do a good job of balancing being a leader by not only using my voice but showing actions. Telling our team to stay focused and stay on the details helps everyone individually, which in turn benefits us together as a team.” To stay focused amidst game cancellations and strive for the best on the court each practice – because small details can make the biggest impact, day by day. The men’s basketball team next went on the road Jan. 27 to face Shorter University in Rome, Georgia where they knocked down the Hawks in a 100-80 win.