The Book: 2007-08 Ragin' Cajuns Basketball

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&nbsp; <b>Synopsis: </b>Louisiana’s men’s basketball roster will again be riddled by youth, as the Cajuns welcome eight newcomers to the 2007-08 squad which already featured five returning underclassmen. The Cajuns have only three seniors, each with one year of experience in Cajun Country - Maurice Barksdale, David Dees and Abray Milson. Barksdale returns after sitting out the 2006-07 season to recover from off-season wrist surgery. Last season, five freshmen saw significant playing time including 2007 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Elijah Millsap. The Cajuns could own one of the more exciting backcourts in the Sun Belt Conference. Behind Barksdale, Dees and Millsap, UL also has two other letterwinners and eight newcomers ready to fill in at any time. With the departure of Valentino Hart and Adam James, the key to the Cajuns’ success this season could lie at the post position.

<b>The Frontcourt - Quick Hits </b>

While the backcourt is loaded with young returning players, the frontcourt boasts only three returners - senior Abray Milson (Lafayette, La.) and sophomores Tyren Johnson (Edgard, La.) and Courtney Wallace (New Orleans, La.).

Last season, the Cajuns’ frontcourt produced just 379 of their 2,013 points (18.8 percent). However, UL lost nearly half of that frontcourt point production in the departure of Valentino Hart and Adam James.

Milson, Johnson and Wallace combined for just 199 points in only 844 minutes a year ago. Wallace, who enjoyed the most playing time last season, will be depended on to help solidify the Cajuns’ frontcourt. However, Lee and his staff will not rely on Wallace to carry the load on his own. Milson and Johnson will see a considerably larger amount of playing time.

Milson, the only returning low post player for UL with more than one year of Division I experience, is one of only three seniors on the squad and will be highly depended on at the low post position.

Last season, Milson averaged 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Milson and Wallace each started eight games a year ago, while Johnson started two. Milson, who spent his freshman season at Utah Valley State College, will face his former school when the Cajuns host the Wolverines in January.

Wallace chipped in 4.0 points and 2.3 boards per game. Johnson added 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Wallace was one of three freshmen last season that averaged double-digit minutes

Johnson, Milson and Wallace will be aided by the additions of true freshmen Travis Bureau and Chris Gradnigo and sophomore La’Ryan Gary.

Bureau, a Class 5A All-State selection at St. Amant (La.) High School, averaged 24.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 blocks per game in his final prep season.

Like Bureau, Gradnigo, also a Louisiana product, was an All-State (Class 4A) selection as a senior. The LaGrange High star was also a two-time All-District and Southwest Louisiana Most Valuable Player honoree.

The final piece of the Cajuns’ frontcourt puzzle, Gary, was local basketball star coming out of high school. After three years at Lafayette’s St. Thomas More High, Gary transferred to Carencro (La.) High for his senior season, where he averaged 20.3 points per game.

<b> Preseason Intangibles </b>

Youth is Served. Louisiana boasts the third-least experienced team among the 347 NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs. UL has a combined eight letters earned (Eight players having earned one letter each at Louisiana). Eight other schools have fewer than eight letters - College of Charleston (6), Idaho (6), Texas State (7), UALR (7), Louisiana Tech (7), New Mexico State (7), Utah State (7) and Texas-San Antonio (7) - while four schools have a combined eight letters earned - Boise State, San Jose State, Charlotte and Lamar.

A Fresh Start. Despite having 16 players on the 2007-08 roster, Louisiana-Lafayette has just three freshmen on the team this season - Travis Bureau, Chris Gradnigo and Sutton Yanosky. On the hand, the Cajuns will not endure a shortage of sophomores as 10 of Louisiana’s 16 players are sophomores athletically - the most of any Sun Belt Conference team.

There’s a New Assistant in Town. Former North Texas assistant coach Jai Steadman joined the Cajuns staff over the summer. Steadman is familiar with southwest Louisiana as he was an assistant coach at McNeese State in 2004-05.

<b> 2007-08 Schedule Notables </b>

Thirteen home games highlight UL’s 2007-08 home schedule, including four non-conference meetings with North Alabama, UAB, McNeese State and Utah Valley State.

Louisiana welcomes four first-time visitors to the CAJUNDOME - North Alabama, UAB, Florida Atlantic and Utah Valley State.

Year four of the Robert Lee era kicks off in front of the home crowd at the CAJUNDOME against NCAA Division II member North Alabama on Nov. 14. UL then quickly depart for a two-game road swing at Louisiana Tech (Nov. 16) and Oral Roberts (Nov. 20).

UL returns home to face first-time visitor UAB on Nov. 27 before traveling to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Nov. 30. UL’s meeting with the Vols will be the first of two games featuring the Cajuns to be televised this season. The UL-UT contest will be carried by Sports South.

The Cajuns open the month of December on the road at UCF on Dec. 11. UL then returns to the ‘DOME to face McNeese State on Dec. 13. UL opens Sun Belt Conference play at in-state rival Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 16 before embarking on a trans-Pacific flight to Hawai’i to participate in the 44th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. The field includes East Tennessee State, Georgia, Hawai’i, Ohio, St. John’s, St. Mary’s and Tulane. UL will be making its seventh trip to the Rainbow State and its first since the 1998-99 season. Louisiana opens the tournament against the hosting Warriors on Dec. 19.

After the Cajuns return to the mainland, UL will host another first-time visitor - Sun Belt foe Florida Atlantic - on Dec. 29.

The new year begins with a pair of home games - Arkansas State (Jan. 3) and New Orleans (Jan. 5). The Cajuns then travel to Little Rock, Ark., to face UALR on Jan. 10, followed by a trip to Denton, Texas, against North Texas on Jan. 12. The Cajuns’ fourth first-time CAJUNDOME opponent and last non-conference test - Utah Valley State College - comes to town for tilt on Jan. 15.

Western Kentucky awaits the Cajuns at home on Jan. 19 before UL hits the road again to face South Alabama (Jan. 24) and Troy (Jan. 27). The Cajuns close out the month of January at home against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 31.

Louisiana then hits the road for a cross-country venture that will begin Feb. 6 at Florida International. The Cajuns then travel to Denver, Colo., to face the Denver Pioneers on Feb. 10. The Cajuns’ game at Denver will be their second televised game of the regular season. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain.

UL will then get a brief break from travel to face Louisiana-Monroe at the CAJUNDOME on Valentine’s Day. However, the Cajuns then have to make their final road trip of the regular season to face Arkansas State (Feb. 16) and New Orleans (Feb. 20).

The Ragin’ Cajuns conclude the regular season with three straight home games - UALR (Feb. 23), North Texas (Feb. 28) and Denver (Mar. 1).

The Sun Belt Conference Championship will be held March 9-11 in Mobile, Ala. The first round games will take place March 5 at campus sites.

<center><p><a href="http://www.ragincajuns.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15400&ATCLID=1248926" target="_blank">RaginCajuns.com</a>

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The 2007-2008 basketball media guide is now available on ragincajuns.com for those who are interested. I've attached the link to the specific page below.

http://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArti...CRIBER_CONTENT=

Woo Hoooo!!!!!!!! It's my favorite time of the year -- Basketball Season!!!

The men play an exhibition game against Louisiana College on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m in the CajunDome. Geaux out and support the Cajuns!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow night will be the first tip off of the season. Although it's an exhibition game, it's a game none the less. I don't know what everyone else is expecting from this years very young team but I am expecting a lot. When I say a lot I don't necessarily mean in the form of wins in losses but what I'm looking for is a showing of a good future. I do think that this team will not end up last in the conference as every magazine ranking predicts but I also don't expect us to be "dancing" in March. What I see with this team is a young team with a lot of potential for being very good. That should surely be the case if we get a big man next year.

I'm sure some people's expectations will be very high as usual, and rightfully so as a fan should expect a lot from their team. And I'm willing to bet some of those people will be screaming for Coach Lee's job come Jan. /Feb. I don't know about the rest of you, but in my opinion Coach Lee has until Milsap graduates to turn the program back around. And with that being said I think Coach Lee will be here for a while.

So Tuesday night let's make sure that we get people in the Dome, even though it's only and exhibition, and support this young team. Give them a reason to win!

I heard coach Lee on the radio last week and from what I heard we can expect to see a lot of speed and good shooting which I am pumped up to see. Last year we were losing and the games were slowed down from what I was used to seeing D. Mitchel, Orien, Boyd etc.. who made the game a show. My expectations aren't that high for wins and loses but I do expect to see us compete everytime we get on the court. I just can't wait to see the speed on the court that I here about, that 'you may beat us but you're gonna be dead tired after' approach. Can't Wait!

One thing will be improved free throw shooting. I think we'll shoot 70% as a team this year. I think that will help in some of the close games we've lost over the last couple of years.

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Originally Posted by CajunCanaille

_ So Tuesday night let's make sure that we get people in the Dome, even though it's only and exhibition, and support this young team. Give them a reason to win! _

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Dome Foam!!!!!

MMMMMMMM....Beeeerrrrrrrrrr!!!!

I am ready for BBall. I will be there. I have average expectations about this years team. I would like to expect a lot, but I was there and remember last years team.

go cajuns

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Originally Posted by RaginFan

_ I am ready for BBall. I will be there. I have average expectations about this years team. I would like to expect a lot, but I was there and remember last years team.

go cajuns _

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I got what I expected out of last year's team. I knew we were going to be aweful. I think we're going to be alot better this year. I'm predicting us to be a plus 500 team.

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Originally Posted by ULtimateCajun

My expectations aren't that high for wins and loses but I do expect to see us compete everytime we get on the court. I just can't wait to see the speed on the court that I here about, that 'you may beat us but you're gonna be dead tired after' approach. Can't Wait! _

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I am with you 100%. This team will be very athletic. But they are also very young. For us to be successfull this year, we must play 40 minutes of high tempo basketball.

I just want to see some hard played games that we can learn from this year. A winning season would be a bonus in my mind.

YES! Dome Foam!!!!!!! they better not jack up the price again like they did last year! That means I will be forced to .........to bring more cash!haha

Yeah your right, the Cajun Dome need to quit raising prices and actually roll them back a bit. They are pricing certain would be Cajun fans out of a market that needs to still grow. Wins will attract the fans, but I am sure the captive Fans would love to be able to atleast sample the DomeFoam. I feel there are a certain number of families from around Acadiana that would love to frequent atleast a couple of games per month but their budgets with the Dome concession cost say they can not afford to go but once per month. Maybe I am wrong but I feel that if we had a little more affordable concessions more would be purchased and more would afford the opportunity to frequent the Cajun Dome for many events not just UL Games!!!!


DaddyCajun


ps My family of 5 will be there and so will my parents. They are like most of us getting older by the years rolling by, and I really treasure the times that we spend together at UL events!!!:h:

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Originally Posted by ULtimateCajun

I heard coach Lee on the radio last week and from what I heard we can expect to see a lot of speed and good shooting which I am pumped up to see. Last year we were losing and the games were slowed down from what I was used to seeing D. Mitchel, Orien, Boyd etc.. who made the game a show. My expectations aren't that high for wins and loses but I do expect to see us compete everytime we get on the court. I just can't wait to see the speed on the court that I here about, that 'you may beat us but you're gonna be dead tired after' approach. Can't Wait!

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Games were played at a slower pace last year because that gave us the best chance to win. What I expect to see this year is a lot more turnovers caused by our defense due to having more speed. What will determine how successful we are is execution in the half court offense. I know Coach Lee believes we will shoot better. That does not necessarily mean perimeter shooting. We will shoot a higher % due to having more talent which will result in fewer missed layups. I believe Coach Lee knows we have to put up more wins in order for him to continue to have community support. I will be there with my freshman son and teenage daughter. As far as concessions go, eat at home in order to save money. Just get to the game to support the team.

yeah the prices are high but that's not the University, it is the Cajundome (city management). I don't think UL has any say in the prices of food and drinks. Correct me if i'm wrong. But I could certainly see how it can get a bit pricey, I remember going to the games as a kid and wanting everything on the menu at the cajundome.

Ugghhhhh!!!!!!! I am SSSOOO jealous that you get to go to the games and I'm stuck here. (Contemplating just how far I can swim across the Caribbean Ocean to get back to Louisiana) Someone needs to promise to sit behind the bench and yell for the players for me. (And you have to yell loud. I have a HUGE voice!)

If you have a chance to go...go to the game!!! Who cares how much refreshments cost. At least you have the opportunity to see the team play!!!

When did this thread become about the price of concesions? Who cares how much they costs. I would pay $10 for a "Dome Foam!!" They are that good.

I agree with the post that we will be fast and athletic. Judging from the Dunk Competition at Midnight Madness we should have at least one guy to put on a show like D Mitch used to do.

Geaux "Dome Foam"......I mean Cajuns!!!

Anybody know if there is set starting line-up yet or is that kind of a work in progress right now? interested to see what kind of height we are going to have on the floor for the majority of the game. I feel like i haven't been to a Cajun game in two years with all the fresh faces, I know Dees, Millsap, Barksdale, and after that I'm in the dark.

I'd leave prices as they are as long as the Cajuns are getting a cut of the sales of food & beverages.

Actually Barksdale is hurt w/ a bruised hip and will not start and may not play. The Daily AdverTiger reported this starting five:

PG W. Lago
SG D. Dees
SF E. Millsap
PF T. Johnson
C A. Milson

I would guess we will see a lot of rotation tonight being that it is an exhibition.

I was impressed with the season tickets this year. They are very sharp!

Well, from what I have heard, and why I don't really like the increase in concession prices, namely for beer, is that UL's deal with the city for using the CD really sucks in UL's favor. We don't earn much of the gate, and I think the rent's pretty high.

is the game on the radio?

83-68 Cajuns with a little under 7 minutes left...seem pretty balanced tonight with Millsap, Lago, Gradnigo, and Gary in double figures scoring. I know its just exhibition though!

Can someone who was there please report on what they saw? The stats looked good, but stats don't tell you everything. What was the chemistry like? Any stand-outs?

Does someone have a picture of our new court?