Miami's Haddix can knock it down

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Tulsa's Ben Uzoh, right, tries to strip the ball away from Miami of Ohio's Rodney Haddix during a College Basketball Invitational game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

AP Photo Tulsa's Ben Uzoh, right, tries to strip the ball away from Miami of Ohio's Rodney Haddix during a College Basketball Invitational game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

Junior guard Rodney Haddix II may regard himself as a defender,  but RedHawks coach Charlie Coles has a bigger role in mind

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 8:15 AM Wednesday, November 11, 2009

OXFORD — It all started for Rodney Haddix II with the College Basketball Invitational at the end of the 2007-08 season, which was fitting. Haddix, a little-known, seldom-used guard for Miami University’s basketball team, had his breakout game in a postseason tournament few people had ever heard of.

He scored a team-high 12 points in Miami’s 61-45 loss that day, saw his playing time more than triple in the 2008-09 season, and now is one of the players coach Charlie Coles is counting on to help the RedHawks make a championship run this season.

Haddix, a 6-foot-3 junior, opened some eyes during Miami’s two exhibition games earlier this month when he attempted eight shots from the 3-point arc and drilled all eight. His only problem might be a crowded backcourt which also includes senior Kenny Hayes, junior Antonio Ballard, sophomore Kramer Soderberg and freshmen Orlando Williams and Allen Roberts.

Coles, however, hasn’t been able to overlook Haddix’s ability to energize Miami’s offense.

“We’re going to try to get him open,” Coles said of Haddix. “When a guy shoots well, I think it’s up to the coach to allow him to do what he does best.”

Haddix said he actually thinks of himself as a defender — no surprise since the minute practice begins under Coles, the importance of defense with a capital D is drilled into every RedHawk player.

“I feel my role is more of a defender,” Haddix said, “but when there is an open shot presented to me, I try to knock it down.”

Haddix said “bringing the guys some energy” is one of his goals, a tough goal to achieve during his freshman season when he played just 38 minutes.

“Coming in from high school, you’re used to playing a lot,” said Haddix, a native of Georgetown, Ky. “You want to get out there and make something happen. But sometimes you have to wait your turn.”

After the RedHawks were knocked out of the 2008 Mid-American Conference tournament, the RedHawks limped into their CBA game against Tulsa. Michael Bramos was out. Tim Pollitz’s knees were one massive pain. Coles turned to Haddix, and in just 12 minutes of court time, he nearly doubled his total point production for the season.

“It gave the coaches a chance to see that I could do some things,” Haddix said. “But the hard work after that was the key.”

Last season Haddix saw his total minutes jump to 168, and he scored a career-high 16 points against Northwestern State last Dec. 30.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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