AU WOMEN’S HOOPS: Boddie happy to be part of Tiger offense again

An injury would have made it easier to swallow. Heck, maybe even a long-term virus or something.

But Whitney Boddie, unfortunately, had a clean bill of health throughout the 2007-08 season. Because she was academically ineligible for the 2008 spring semester, the now-senior point guard watched from the Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum stands or followed along online when the Tigers hit the road during the entire SEC season and postseason.

Auburn’s noticeable struggles without Boddie, the only true point guard on the roster last season, didn’t make an already terrible situation any easier.

“It was the worst thing ever,” Boddie said. “When it really hit me, it was just like, ‘I messed up.’ I messed up for my teammates, I messed it up for myself, family, Auburn, the supporters, everyone.

“It was a hard pill to swallow.”

Fortunately for undefeated No. 9 Auburn, which takes on No. 18 Florida at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum today at 2 p.m., Boddie digested that pill and completely focused her attention on her classwork. Because of that, she’s no longer watching from the cheap seats.

“It just gave me that drive and made me want to get better and give more than what I’m bringing to the table every night,” Boddie said. “I’m just really hungry.”

Boddie has been back to her usual doings this season, averaging nearly 10 points and 7.5 assists per game.

Of course, it goes far beyond that, as the Tigers’ fast-paced offense revolves around Boddie.

The Florence native constantly looks to push, and her ability to penetrate and kick the ball out to open shooters was unmatched during her absence. Two guard Alli Smalley, one of the largest benefactors of the open looks Boddie creates, can attest to that, as she was forced to fill in for Boddie last season.

“I apologize to her every day for that,” Boddie joked.

“I think it’s obvious to anyone who’s followed us from last year to this year how valuable she is,” coach Nell Fortner said “I think we’ve all seen the benefit of that this year. She’s incredibly important.”

The importance of Boddie’s versatility was apparent Thursday in Auburn’s tightly-contested, conference-opening win at South Carolina.

With Sherell Hobbs struggling from the field and Smalley unable to get many open looks, Boddie was forced to score — something she said she prefers to avoid unless necessary. It became a necessity, though, and she put up a career-high 21 points to help Auburn slip past the Gamecocks, 80-76.

What she’ll have to do against Florida (15-1), another tough test for 16-0 Auburn, will depend on what the game dictates. If Thursday’s game was any indication, it will force Boddie and the rest of her teammates to be ready for Florida’s best effort to date.

“It’s kind of like how we used to look at other teams,” Boddie said. “With the No. 8 (ESPN/USA Today) ranking and being undefeated, we’re the hunted, which is fine. We’ll take the challenge.”

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