But Sargent welcomes the barbs. He’s just glad he recognized Holden’s value while there’s still time for him to make a difference..
“Like so much in this business, I get the blame for a lot, which I understand. I get the credit for probably far too much. But I’m very thankful for the timing of how things came together,” he said.
“There’s a lot that goes into (pulling a redshirt). I just appreciate his fearlessness. He’s exactly what this team needs.”
Reminded how the almost-overlooked Braun ended up making the HL all-freshman team, Sargent smiled and said of Holden, “He’s on his way.”
The 6-foot-6 Hamilton product probably won’t have enough games to earn postseason honors, but he’s transformed the Raiders after sitting out 15 games over the first two months.
He made his first start in the win over Northern Kentucky on Sunday, snagging a game-high nine rebounds and scoring five points in 11 minutes.
He’s also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over Oakland.
“He’s just unafraid, and it’s rare for a true freshman to have that,” Sargent said. “Some of the older guys that have been through the wars have kind of needed that along their side.”
The springy Holden has averaged 7.4 points (fifth on the team) and 7.0 rebounds (second) while playing 15.6 minutes per game.
He’s been especially active on the offensive glass, getting 16 in his five games,
But he’s handling his early accomplishments with humility.
“It was stressful sitting on the sidelines, knowing my team needed something and I couldn’t do anything to help,” he said. “I think it was just our (lack of) connection. We were just off every game. There wasn’t a connection. I think I can help with that.”
He already has. The Raiders are 3-2 since he was unleashed.
And he’s earning rave reviews from his teammates.
Keaton Norris: “He’s just competing, that’s what it is. He’s so gifted, and when you tie that with how hard he’s playing, it’s been huge for us.”
Brandon Noel: “He’s just super-athletic. He’s fun to play with even when he’s not scoring.”
Michael Imariagbe: “He’s just an athlete. He might be undersized, but I feel like his athleticism makes up for it.”
Sargent said he started Holden on Sunday because he might be the Raiders’ best frontcourt player at defending ball screens, which is a staple of the NKU offense.
That means he’s not only physically impressive, but he’s heady, too.
As senior Jack Doumbia said, “That boy is a monster.”
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Milwaukee (13-7, 6-3) at Wright State (10-10, 4-5), 7 p.m., ESPN+, 101.5, 1410
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