Do it in non-conference

I have long been an advocate of the proverb, "If you don't play right, you don't play." Too many coaches do not seem to have any control over what is transpiring on the court because the players are just doing what they want to do. The time to get that fixed is early in the season. Yes, if you bench players who are not playing right, it may cost you some games, but at least they won't be conference games. Pay the piper early, and you may not have to pay later on. Convince the team you mean business, and maybe they will listen.