Aden Holloway in the United Center on Friday night? As of mid-morning on Friday, the destination for Holloway's approved weekend travel is not known. Alabama basketball fans assume that Holloway will be in Chicago to cheer on his teammates against the Michigan Wolverines.
Nate Oats silent about Holloway's plans
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has been silent about Holloway's plans, although a guess is that Oats knew before the court agreed to left Holloway's travel ban.
The University of Alabama has not issued any update about Holloway's suspension. The presumption is that the school's review process is incomplete. Holloway is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Tuscaloosa District Court on Apr. 14. There is a small probability that the school's Office of Student Conduct has quietly removed Holloway's suspension
Due to the school's suspension, Holloway is technically not a current member of the Alabama basketball team. That status does not affect the bond he has with Crimson Tide players. Alabama's Houston Mallette recently said, "Yeah, we love Biz. Our prayers are with him, and that's our brother for life."
A fair perspective is that Holloway's legal problem means he has 'let down' his teammates. His offensive firepower could have been the difference between a loss on Friday night or advancement to the Elite Eight.
Nate Oats has shown strong support for Holloway since the felony drug possession arrest: " Now is not the time to ignore a kid that you've built a real relationship with. Now is the time he needs more love from the adults in his life than at any point. ... I'm going to continue to talk to him, love him, help him through this, and we'll see where it all takes us."
The college basketball world will likely be playing 'Where's Aden' in the United Center on Friday night. If Holloway is in Chicago, will Nate Oats be so bold as to allow Aden to sit on the team bench? Will Aden's presence at the game be a boost or a distraction to Crimson Tide players?
Friday early afternoon UPDATE: As reported by the Tuscaloosa News, the University of Alabama released a statement: "Nothing has changed with regard to Aden’s status with the team."