Starting or off bench, J'Vonne Hadley ready for first taste of Pac-12 play for CU Buffs

Nov. 30—J'Vonne Hadley made a much-needed return to the rotation.

His return to the starting lineup may not be far behind.

Hadley might have played at less than 100%, but he appeared in prime form during a 65-62 home win for the Colorado men's basketball team against Yale on Sunday, coming off the bench to go 5-for-6 with 13 points and five rebounds.

The bench role may not be permanent. After Hadley missed two games, head coach Tad Boyle said after practice on Tuesday he wanted to be somewhat cautious of Hadley's sore shoulder. He also noted a starting lineup that included Jalen Gabbidon, a former Yale standout, was somewhat of a reward for CU's graduate transfer.

Whether Gabbidon remains in the starting five will be revealed on Thursday night as the Buffs tip off Pac-12 Conference play at home against Arizona State (6:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1).

"It was a combination of things," Boyle explained. "A combination of his shoulder and being out for a couple games. And Jalen Gabbidon playing against Yale, because I've got such great respect for Jalen and the decision he made. And I have great respect for (Yale coach) Johnny Jones. So it was a combination of those things.

"I wouldn't get too caught up in that. I might start J'Vonne on Thursday. I don't know, we haven't even talked about it as a staff."

Hadley started three of the season's first four games, with his only previous bench appearance occurring during the win against Tennessee on Nov. 13 in which Boyle shook up his entire rotation. Hadley injured his right shoulder in a loss against UMass on Nov. 17 and missed CU's games against Texas A&M and Boise State. Hadley has been productive in his two appearances off the bench, grabbing 10 rebounds against Tennessee before his 13-point, five-rebound game against Yale.

Hadley is the Buffs' leading rebounder (8.0), third-leading scorer (10.4), and shares the team lead in field goal percentage (.500) with Tristan da Silva. And whether it's in the starting lineup or off the bench, the junior college transfer is eager for his first taste of Pac-12 play.

"League is important, especially with where we're trying to get to," Hadley said. "We know that all these games really count, but we're taking it game-by-game. We can't look ahead. I know we play Washington after this (on Sunday) but we can't look ahead. Arizona State is a good team. They won big against Michigan. So we know what we're walking in to. We've just got to be prepared."

The start of Pac-12 play is yet another early-season challenge for a Buffs team that already has faced plenty. This marks the third season of having standalone league games in early December after the Pac-12 moved to a 20-game league schedule, although in reality for the Buffs it's the second season, given the early league games in December of 2020 were postponed due to pandemic issues.

Boyle admits he still is adjusting to getting conference play started so early. But, like an early-season road trip that kept the Buffs away from home for five games — two against ranked foes — in 10 days, it's a challenge CU has no choice but to embrace.

"In a perfect world, you want all (conference games) together," Boyle said. "I don't like playing two (now). But the reality is, based on the calendar, you have to play two. So I totally understand it. But I don't think any coach in America wants to play a league game December first. But by going to a 20-game league schedule, and looking at the calendar, and having travel partners to get to this part of the country, we have to do it. I get it."