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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Cajunfanatico
Yahoo Sports thinks they're a clown show:
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Take a bow Renu Khator. The Houston president is officially the emptiest suit in all of collegiate administration, the college president that has her fellow presidents rolling their eyes at cocktail parties.
Take a bow Chris Pezman. The Houston athletic director is the puppet for a volatile billionaire, as much in charge of his own department as the school mascot.
Take a bow, Tillman Fertitta. The University of Houston chairman of the board of regents and generous athletic department benefactor is living proof that you can buy a university and run the athletic department like a fantasy team. Fertitta is rich enough to own the Houston Rockets and vain enough to call into talk radio and give the hosts the low-down on how a coaching search went. (Yes, he actually did that.)
Houston’s clown triumvirate is being cackled at around college sports today as they clumsily attempt to fire Major Applewhite as Houston’s coach. In their attempt to woo an invite from the Big 12, Houston did the reputational equivalent of dropping a load of manure on commissioner Bob Bowlsby’s doorstep, ringing the doorbell and then running.
https://sports.yahoo.com/major-apple...233551453.html
Our friends in Lake Chuck are trying hard to get MACNeese on Fertitta's gravy train since he owns a casino there. We even had a troll here a few weeks ago bragging about their new gym and how the Rockets practiced there.
This is a prime example of just sit back and watch, NCAA will come calling down the road at Houston in a few years.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
talktomewillis
We'll know for sure in the next day or two. And, while I'm no doctor, my guess is he's out at least a month, maybe more.
Hope I'm wrong.
Thanks. Was impressive, showed he was a team guy first all year, stepped up big when Gant went down.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
talktomewillis
There have been 81 posts since I mentioned the injury to Marquetti looks to be serious and he could be out extensive time.
Not one reference to it.
Not even a good wish for Marquetti.
Lame.
I thought I had mentioned it in a couple of my posts regarding how much he will be missed on the court. You are right though in that we should have wished him well in battling this from a health standpoint. I regret not doing that and I am sure all Cajun fans are hoping he has a quick recovery. I am sure that is offered regardless of basketball.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
VObserver
I don't consider 4th in this conference competitive. In the five years you cite, we had a winning record vs top 200 RPI twice [the only two times in Marlin's tenure]. We have finished third or better in conference 3 times in 8 years, our median finish is 4th, our mean finish is also 4th. Out of conference we have had only 3 home games against top 100 RPI teams, and only 11 home games against RPI 101-200 during the 8 years of Marlin's tenure. To his credit, we are 10-4 in those 14 games.
I am happy with that kind of home winning percentage against top 200 teams; I just hate that only 14 of our home OOC games were against teams 200 or better in RPI. 14 were against teams with 201+ RPI, and at least 8 were against non D1 teams. Even worse is the fact that in the 8 years before this year we played 10 road and neutral site OOC games against teams with RPI of 201+, and we were 3-7 in those games [we were 9-32 vs Top 200 RPI in road and neutral site games].
If we have 5 non conference home games, at least 4 should be against teams with a 3 year rolling average RPI of better than 200, and the other should be at least D1. Road games should be similar.
The word "competitive" is obviously subjective from this thread. Fourth is not for some but is for others. Where we will be this year I have no idea but I do know it would be higher if Marquetti did not have to miss any games. The schedule changes you advocate simply won't happen due to the desires to play state teams and few others are willing to come here. Administration supports that approach. It could happen if the state teams improve and the proposed alliance comes to pass. SLU was a good team last year for example and I bet they will have a strong SLC season again. Everyone hopes for less non D1 games despite the fact that buying SWAC teams to replace them hurts the RPI. However that still does more to help prepare the team for conference play. I don't know what the policy on that will be going forward. I continue to remind people that 2/3 of our schedule is against SBC schools and there is nothing we can do about that.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Cajunsmike
The schedule changes you advocate simply won't happen due to the desires to play state teams and few others are willing to come here. Administration supports that approach. It could happen if the state teams improve and the proposed alliance comes to pass. SLU was a good team last year for example and I bet they will have a strong SLC season again. Everyone hopes for less non D1 games despite the fact that buying SWAC teams to replace them hurts the RPI. However that still does more to help prepare the team for conference play. I continue to remind people that 2/3 of our schedule is against SBC schools and there is nothing we can do about that.
All fair. But the reality is, as long as these limitations are in place, the ceiling for basketball will be extremely low, and the support will remain tepid. One way or the other, in order to maximize our potential as a program, something has to change in a MAJOR way.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
ManAboutTown
All fair. But the reality is, as long as these limitations are in place, the ceiling for basketball will be extremely low, and the support will remain tepid. One way or the other, in order to maximize our potential as a program, something has to change in a MAJOR way.
What can change is to win the league more regularly. That will increase support two to three years out. Unfortunate that the health of the team will make that a major challenge this season. Not impossible, but will require more efficient play from a number of guy than we have seen so far this year.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Ragin4U
Or just allow a thug coach to recruit thugs to come and win some ball games.
But I do agree with your 3 legged stool analogy.
So that's it then? It's either recruit less talented players that will graduate or we just go Thug U? Is that what you are saying? So there is no recruiting good players who will go to school and still earn a degree or work towards one? Right now, if we played Yale they'd whoop our ___. They have a couple of guys who are getting looks from the NBA and they are Ivy league kids. You can't tell any of us that we can't go out and find better athletes and overall better players that will still define what a student athlete is.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Cajunsmike
What can change is to win the league more regularly. That will increase support two to three years out. Unfortunate that the health of the team will make that a major challenge this season. Not impossible, but will require more efficient play from a number of guy than we have seen so far this year.
And Mike this points to our depth, or lack thereof. There isn't much we can do about overall health and injuries but losing a Marquetti or Gant is a back breaker for us because we don't have the players behind them.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
ZoomZoom
Yup, one bid leagues in most likelihood.
Possibly for this year but the MWC has been a solid league with multiple ranked teams and tournament teams in the past.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
MetryCajun
Spot on. This team has two difference makers and an above average PG. Everyone else are role players who have good games and bad games. Yesterday it was Hardy with some big plays and Miller who had a rough time. Next game it will probably be Miller who steps up. With only 3 players you can count on it will be tough for this team to string together wins. After watching the team yesterday I came away with the feeling that recruiting and not X's and O's coaching is our problem. The execution down the stretch shows Marlin knows what he is doing. He is just not getting good enough HS players. Right now all of our best players are p5 transfers. If he cant get more P5 transfers or more polished HS players ASAP he will not be here for long.
I think this post is spot on and pretty much been my biggest beef with Marlin to date. The only problem is that it has been a trend for his entire tenure here.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
talktomewillis
While many of you are complaining about beating Southeastern ( we were in Hammond because it's a two for one, to answer one complainers question) back to the reality at hand.
Malik Marquetti's injury appears to be serious. He could be out a month or more.
And, that's a serious blow to this team.
As far as the scheduling is concern, remember we go to 20 conference games next year. Plus, if Mark Adams is successful with his scheduling consortium, that would make 22. We will continue to play Tech and McNeese and we have Southeastern coming back to Lafayette next year. That's 25. We play at Arizona State. 26. We'll play in an MTE. 27. And if they do the dreaded pair of non-D1's that concludes the schedule.
I was out of town and didn't get to read anything about the game. What is the injury? I feel for him. Sucks to have your senior year go like that.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by
talktomewillis
There have been 81 posts since I mentioned the injury to Marquetti looks to be serious and he could be out extensive time.
Not one reference to it.
Not even a good wish for Marquetti.
Lame.
I thought you were replying to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Turbine
I hope Marquetti's injury isn't bad and he recovers quickly. GWS
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Cajunsmike
We have another quality transfer coming in, the top ranked player in the state signed early with us, and the second ranked player from last year is being redshirted. Your suggestions are being followed but that is probably not enough to improve as more is needed. It will be interesting to see if the HS guys can play at a high level next year. They are looking at bringing in another recruit in the spring period. Success there may tell the tale of their fortunes next season.
Mike, out of curiosity, do you know if Marlin and staff are recruiting any of the players that were in the Sunkist Shootout last week? I was there for a couple of days and never saw anybody from UL or at least not that I knew of. The reason I ask is there are some really good players that were in town. Sophie B Wright has several swing men who are not committed that looked pretty good. Walker has the top Sophomore and top Junior Guards in the state on their team and they are REALLY good. The junior dropped 43 against Riverside. We talk about getting better recruits and I'm just curious if we are even on any of them.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
Ragin4U
Butler, Wichita State were pointed out as models but they are not really because they are in much different situations. We cannot transplant UL out of the South and into basketball country nor can we reallocate football funds. The other schools pointed out have not had a level of success that is not that much greater than ours.
Come up with a program that is in the same situation and has sustained, top-tier success, because I don't really see one.
First of all, tell me which areas of the country you find to be basketball hotbeds. I'd like for you to identify them before I respond so we keep the contradictions to a minimum.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
Mike, I support our basketball program and like and respect Bob Marlin. He's a really good BB coach. But, we lack talent even in the SBC. Based on what I've seen so far this year, we'll be lucky to finish in the middle of the pack, especially with Malik injured to start the season.
Is our big freshman that bad that he can't play at all? Is the plan to redshirt him? What about the forward from Deridder? To play the way our staff wants, they need depth to rest starters periodically. If not, seems Coach Marlin will need to slow the tempo on offense.
Malik, get well soon!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
zephyr
Mike, out of curiosity, do you know if Marlin and staff are recruiting any of the players that were in the Sunkist Shootout last week? I was there for a couple of days and never saw anybody from UL or at least not that I knew of. The reason I ask is there are some really good players that were in town. Sophie B Wright has several swing men who are not committed that looked pretty good. Walker has the top Sophomore and top Junior Guards in the state on their team and they are REALLY good. The junior dropped 43 against Riverside. We talk about getting better recruits and I'm just curious if we are even on any of them.
I do not know if they are after any of the guys you mentioned. I know focus for spring recruiting is JUCO post players. I also know they have recently observed juniors and sophomores that are candidates for Signing in 2019 and 2020. No idea where they are from. Recruiting is part of the job that never ends.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cajunsmike
I do not know if they are after any of the guys you mentioned. I know focus for spring recruiting is JUCO post players. I also know they have recently observed juniors and sophomores that are candidates for Signing in 2019 and 2020. No idea where they are from. Recruiting is part of the job that never ends.
I guess my point was that we literally had some of the best players in the state playing in our backyard. Cook, the guard from Walker is a stud. The other guard runs about 6'4 or 6'5 and could likely play the 2 and 3 in college. I would just be very interested in why we wouldn't be recruiting these guys if that truly is the case. I saw coaches from LSUE in the stands and a couple other coaches.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
zephyr
I was out of town and didn't get to read anything about the game. What is the injury? I feel for him. Sucks to have your senior year go like that.
Malik has a knee injury. He was driving to basket and his leg buckled under him. He of course lost the ball, it was picked up by SLU, and they scored on the other end. After that, a timeout was finally called so as BJ Duplantis could attend to him.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
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Originally Posted by
MetryCajun
First you advocate disbanding Basketball, now you want wealthy donors controlling the our university and having a puppet administration. Any more great ideas?
Oregon played for a NC and Houston won a NY6 game and both advanced deep into the NCAA tournament as well as have having a football stadium not built during the Balkan Wars.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
zephyr
I guess my point was that we literally had some of the best players in the state playing in our backyard. Cook, the guard from Walker is a stud. The other guard runs about 6'4 or 6'5 and could likely play the 2 and 3 in college. I would just be very interested in why we wouldn't be recruiting these guys if that truly is the case. I saw coaches from LSUE in the stands and a couple other coaches.
I don’t know that we are not recruiting those guys. It would have been a good idea for a staff member to attend at least one day. Perhaps they did at some point. Note they left for Hammond Friday night. That is something new this year. Dr. Maggard is allowing for overnight stays for close bus trip games. Don’t know if it is a factor but they have pulled out wins in all three affairs.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
SlickRick
Mike, I support our basketball program and like and respect Bob Marlin. He's a really good BB coach. But, we lack talent even in the SBC. Based on what I've seen so far this year, we'll be lucky to finish in the middle of the pack, especially with Malik injured to start the season.
Is our big freshman that bad that he can't play at all? Is the plan to redshirt him? What about the forward from Deridder? To play the way our staff wants, they need depth to rest starters periodically. If not, seems Coach Marlin will need to slow the tempo on offense.
Malik, get well soon!
They are not redshirting either Lafayette or Gladney as they both have played in games. I think it is fair to say neither has showed enough in practice to warrant playing time when it counts. Also fair to say that is a disappointing development.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zephyr
First of all, tell me which areas of the country you find to be basketball hotbeds. I'd like for you to identify them before I respond so we keep the contradictions to a minimum.
Just on perception:
Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina probably have the best traditional high school basketball programs leading to better/more college talent. Urban areas would probably have the highest concentration of talent and more northern areas as well because of lack of football and baseball interest.
Texas and California probably produce a lot of players simply because of population and LA.
The point of that post was that someone said we should model ourselves after Butler, a private basketball only school in Indiana. And that's apples and oranges.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
talktomewillis
There have been 81 posts since I mentioned the injury to Marquetti looks to be serious and he could be out extensive time.
Not one reference to it.
Not even a good wish for Marquetti.
Lame.
Jay nobody mentioned it because it’s depressing. Injuries suck and I hate it for him because he is one of our most exciting players.
Without Marquetti we won’t win 20 games. The injury excuse will be used again, for a 2nd year in a row. It will also be valid for a 2nd year in a row.
That doesn’t change the fact that we are not getting what we pay for. We spend the most money in the league on basketball and we don’t see the ROI we as fans should expect.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
MetryCajun
Sad to hear. He has really stepped up this year. He is clearly a top player on the team and will be impossible to replace with one guy. Russell has to step up now and start hitting some shots.
We don’t involve Russel in the offense very much. He is a guy who gets better the more he is involved in the game plan. I’m not sure Russel will ever be an asset if we use him as a spot up shooter. It doesn’t fit his game.
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Re: MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SlickRick
Mike, I support our basketball program and like and respect Bob Marlin. He's a really good BB coach. But, we lack talent even in the SBC. Based on what I've seen so far this year, we'll be lucky to finish in the middle of the pack, especially with Malik injured to start the season.
So being a great recruiter is an important aspect of being a good coach. I’d also think evaluation of talent is another aspect. Gladney isn’t nearly college ready and should have been red shirted. Lafayette will never be a Division I player and should never have been signed. I’m sure he’ a great young man, but lacks the talent of Plaisance so we have experience with this type player.
No doubt recruiting IMO has been Marlin weakness. Too many lost battles, too many misses. Bob understands the game, can teach the game, but sadly hasn’t for nearly a decade been able to get enough talent to be really good.
Last year a prime example. Absolutely shouldn’t have lost to LilRock because Stove was out. Maybe Arlington but even that’s a stretch.
Good luck with the good coach, of course I’d prefer the better, and best option.
