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The Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team’s attempt at back-to-back wins was spoiled as the Lamar Cardinals broke open a seven-point game in the second half with a 12-0 run and went on to post a 80-63 victory Saturday evening at the Montagne Center.
The UL Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team's attempt at back-to-back wins was spoiled as the Lamar Cardinals broke open a seven-point game in the second half with a 12-0 run and went on to post a 80-63 victory Saturday evening at the Montagne ...
On second thought, I guess we HAVEN'T quite turned that corner yet.
Watched the game last night...5 guys on the court not on the same page yet....It will get better.
UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!
I have to agree, this is the second time I have seen them play and I am concerned. We lack energy as a team, we lack chemistry as a team, we do not have a cohesive plan (coaching). Each time it seems we can not make up our mind who our go to guy is (do we have one?). I am not liking what I see. Don't get me wrong they try and they play defense but every team seems to have better shooters than we do. You can't beat teams that can make 15 foot jumpers an you can not. There are no Graylin Warners or Dion Raineys at forward and no Mike Allen types or George Almones. We aren't wild and out of control like Marty's teams but I am not sure we have IT whatever IT is. It seems like another rebuilding year to me and boy I how bad I want to be wrong.
What concerns me the most, and I've stated this in other threads to which many did not agree, is our lack of fundamentals. We can't seem to make 3 trips down the court without carelessly turning the ball over such as travel calls, bouncing a ball off our foot, having a defender easily strip the ball away from a guard or not being able to block out men smaller than us and giving them 3 shots at the basket due to offensive boards. I still believe that shots will begin to fall and that this team is a better shooting team than it is showing. However, this lack of focus and or lack of fundamentals is a more pressing issue because we are getting beat at the smaller things in a game that amount to a lot. I am not one to single players out often but Mbamalu is a turnover machine lately. I think Marlin likes him due to his steady play last year and while he was not spectacular in anything he does, he played hard defense and played smart. Now, he is a turnover mahine and every time I hear his name on the radio, he is typically either being called for a foul or dribbling the ball off his feet. I'd prefer to see Kentwan Smith play more as well as AMT if that is the case
Side note: JJ did not become JJ till UL was 15 games into the season last year.
Losing him (never really had him this year) hurts everything.
Elfrin is doing a good job but even Elfrin won't become Elfrin till the mid way point of the season.
jmo
Ditto. Really what is up with all these UNFORCED and STUPID turnovers.
Uh, I'd say that JJ was playing pretty well last season even before he started averaging 20 points per game in conference. However, the point is that the turnovers and mental breakdowns are teamwide and Elfrid Payton is one player while the issues we are having are with everyone. Good teams do not consistently play inconsistent, especially against the teams we've been playing who are far from worldbeaters.Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbine
Good point Zephyr, we will know more about this one game down the road depending on if Lamar is any good or not.
This team has been up and down all year but I'm not concerned. We should be ready for conference with everyone healthy and more chemistry. Sun Belt will be a little tougher this year, Middle Tennesse and Denver seem to have VERY good squads so we are going to have to step it up a notch.
Side note:
I really like what I saw from AMT in his limited playing time against McNeese. Any reason why he is not playing more. I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of him.