Overtime excitement (for 2nd straight game)
Advertiser-Dan McDonald
<center><i>Cajuns able to extend home streak to 20 </i>
</center><blockquote><p align=justify>
LAFAYETTE — “We refuse to lose,” joked Louisiana head basketball coach Jessie Evans after his Ragin’ Cajun squad walked the tightrope once again Tuesday night.
The Cajuns almost fell, but got big plays defensively at the end of regulation and at the end of overtime in escaping with a 72-69 win over Denver’s hustling Pioneers.
UL (17-6, 9-1) trailed in the final 40 seconds of regulation and in the final 70 seconds of overtime, but found a way to escape with its 20-game homecourt winning streak intact and maintain its big lead in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division.
“This is the way it’s going to be from here on in,” Evans said. “We’re going to have to take everyone’s best shot.”
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The Cajuns took a major shot from the heavy underdog Pioneers (12-13, 4-7), who trailed by a double-figure margin with just over nine minutes remaining before rallying to take a 61-59 lead with 49 seconds left on a deep-corner 3-pointer by B. J. Pratt.
However, Michael Southall calmly hit two free throws with 34.8 seconds left to tie the game, and a solid defensive stand forced a poor three-point attempt by Zeljko Zupic at the horn to force the Cajuns’ second overtime in as many games.
In the extra period, Laurie Bridges’ free throws with 1:04 left gave the Cajuns a 70-69 lead, and the Pioneers missed two shots in the final minute. On the second one, Southall came outside to swat away a jumper by Carvell McAlister to force a shot-clock violation with four seconds left, and Brad Boyd’s two free throws provided the final margin.
“Our guys played hard,” said a disappointed Denver head coach Terry Carroll. “We got after them some defensively and got them out of their rhythm on offense.”
The Cajuns genuinely struggled offensively in the latter stages of the second half, and didn’t score from the field after the 9:44 mark when Bridges hit a driving jumper that provided the game’s biggest advantage at 55-45.
From there on, the Cajuns got only six free throws and missed their final seven chances from the floor.
“We dodged a bullet,” Evans said. “They were defending well, and we turned it over several times. It’s not like we didn’t get good looks, but they just didn’t go down.”
Many of those shots did go down in overtime, with Boyd hitting a long trey and Bridges following with a jumper to provide a 66-61 advantage in the first two minutes of extra time. However, Erik Benzel had eight of his 17 points in overtime, including a driving layup and four straight free throws that made it a one-point game.
Then, he scored on a layup off a steal for a 69-68 advantage with 1:30 left, a shocking turnaround after the early OT edge and considering that Denver played the overtime without leading scorer Brett Starkey, who fouled out late in regulation when Southall hit his clutch free throws.
“We weren’t able to play in the overtime like we would want to play,” Carroll said, “because we were without the personnel we needed. We showed some character, but you can’t cry over spilled milk.”
Bridges finished with 15 points as did Cedric Williams, who hit four baskets in a four-minute period midway through the second half to help the Cajuns build that twin-digit lead. His basket with 10:05 left and his steal that set up Bridges’ jumper provided the 55-45 edge.
The Cajuns, though, had five turnovers in those final 10 minutes, including three in a three-minute period.
“We weren’t playing like we should be,” said Williams, who was 7-of-11 from the floor. “We didn’t underestimate them because we know Denver’s a good team, but we just didn’t play like we should.”
Denver had dropped a 15-point 95-80 decision to the Cajuns in Denver 10 days ago, but the Pioneers went to a more deliberate attack and frustrated the home team for much of the game.
DU only hit 39.3 percent from the field, but made enough shots and got a solid inside game from Starkey (20 points, 8-of-11 shooting). The Pioneers hit 50 percent from the field in the first half, and two free throws by Rodney Billups and a jumper by McAlister in the final 16 seconds gave DU a 36-35 halftime lead.
“We were missing a lot of assignments,” said defensive ace Immanuel Washington. “We’ve got to talk more. We did a pretty good job of getting through screens, but we were playing tense. We have to relax but not relax too much.”
The Cajuns scored the second half’s first six points to reclaim the lead that eventually reached 10 points, but DU steadily cut into the lead and Starkey scored on a breakaway and was fouled with 1:22 left to make it a 59-58 game.
He almost matched that play moments later off a long rebound, but Kenneth Lawrence poked the ball out of bounds to stop a layup attempt. However, Pratt’s third three-pointer provided the two-point lead before Southall’s free throws.
Southall finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with his five blocks, the last of which came at the most opportune time.
“They (Denver) gave a little more effort than we did several times,” Evans said, “but when the game was on the line I thought we gave great effort. They didn’t get a lot of good looks on those last couple of possessions.”
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Cajuns seeking improved effort
<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser
LAFAYETTE — Good basketball teams aren’t happy with sub-par performances, even those that wind up as victories.
After a few seconds of jubilation following Tuesday’s 72-69 overtime victory over Denver, most members of the Louisiana squad weren’t happy with their performance even though they preserved a basket full of winning streaks.
“We should be playing way better than we are,” said senior Immanuel Washington, one of the sparks of a defensive effort that was mostly responsible for the team’s seventh straight win.
“The intensity wasn’t there for most of the game. We’ve got to come out with more intensity.”
The Cajuns trailed by as many as four points in the first half against a DU team it led by 23 in Denver less than two weeks ago, and then let a 10-point lead slip away in the final nine minutes.
Still, they survived with a second straight overtime win, and in the process built a three-game margin over the rest of the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division and put themselves in a position to lock up the division’s top seed for the postseason tournament on Saturday.
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“We have to expect this,” said Cajun coach Jessie Evans. “We’re leading the west and separating ourselves now, and that means we’re going to take everyone’s best shot.
“The mark of a good team is they win, but their heads are down in the locker room. They weren’t satisfied.”
The Cajuns (17-6, 9-1) have taken teams’ best shots in three games in the now-concluded homestand, with South Alabama and New Orleans both coming up with strong efforts in two games last week.
Louisiana trailed in the final minute before taking a 67-60 win over South Alabama, and had to go into overtime on Saturday in a 79-75 victory over UNO.
The Denver win was the eighth straight in Sun Belt play and the 20th consecutive win in the Cajundome, still the country's seventh-longest such streak.
Still, a team that hadn’t played an overtime game in the ’Dome since Nov. 18, 1997 — Evans’ first game as head coach, a 77-71 win over Virginia Commonwealth — has now played two in four nights.
“We played a lot harder in the overtime,” said sophomore Cedric Williams, one of two Cajuns with 15 points. “We played more hard-nosed defense. Saturday at New Mexico State, we’ll get back to where we’re supposed to be.”
Evans’ squad took an 81-74 home win over NMSU on Jan. 2, and will play its next-to-last game against a West Division rival Saturday in a 9 p.m. (CST) regionally-televised (COX 76 locally) game at Las Cruces, N.M.
The host Aggies (16-6, 6-4) are in second place in the West and are the only team in the division with a realistic chance to catch the Cajuns.
And, if Louisiana wins Saturday, that chance will also be gone. The Cajuns would be four ahead of NMSU with four to play, insuring no worse than a share of the division crown and the West’s top tournament seed.
“This is the position that we wanted to be in,” Evans said, “to go to Las Cruces and lock up the West.”
It won’t be easy. NMSU has won five of its last six games, has only lost once at home all year — a two-point decision to Middle Tennessee — and will also have all week to prepare for Saturday’s clash. The Aggies also lead the league in home attendance, and school officials expect their largest league crowd of the season Saturday.
“We’ve got to work some this week on techniques,” Washington said, “and get back to playing man on ball. But it’s mostly intensity. We’re playing too tense. We have to relax, but not get too relaxed.”
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Cajuns could clinch Sun Belt West title
<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The battle for Sun Belt Conference West Division basketball honors runs for two more weeks, but in effect the race could end tonight.
Louisiana could bring the West to a premature end when the Ragin’ Cajuns play New Mexico State in a battle of the division’s top two teams.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. (CST) in front of an anticipated full house at the Pan American Center. The game will be televised as part of the Sun Belt’s regional television package and will air in Lafayette on COX Sports Television (cable channel 76).
The Cajuns (17-6, 9-1) have won seven straight games and are on an eight-game streak in Sun Belt play, having opened a big gap over the rest of the West with five games remaining in the regular season.
The only team hanging anywhere close is the host Aggie squad (16-6, 6-4), which is three games back only because NMSU has won five of its last six.
A UL win would insure the Cajuns no worse than a share of the West title with four games remaining, and would lock up the No. 1 seeded slot from the West for the league’s postseason tournament March 7-11 in Bowling Green, Ky.
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Even if the Cajuns lose tonight, they would still hold a two-game lead in the division with both UL and NMSU heading into two road games at Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock next week.
“This is where we wanted to be when we started,’’ said Cajun head coach Jessie Evans, “but there’s no question that this one’s going to be the toughest test we’ve faced. New Mexico State is playing for its survival in this thing.’’
The Cajuns posted an 81-74 win over New Mexico State back on Jan. 2 in their league opener, putting all five starters in double figures led by the 21 points of Laurie Bridges.
That win also continued a winning streak in the Cajundome, one that now numbers 20 games to rank as the nation’s seventh-longest such streak. But home court didn’t matter that much on the Cajuns’ last road trek, one that saw them take wins over North Texas and Denver by a combined total of 46 points.
In fact, the three games since then were much closer, with Louisiana taking a 67-60 win over South Alabama and then being forced into overtime to take wins over New Orleans and Denver on Saturday and Tuesday.
NMSU has also posted wins in three straight home games including a non-conference win over Colorado-Colorado Springs on Monday, and will wrap up a four-game homestand tonight. The streak also included a 78-60 win over UNO and a 77-71 win over South Alabama last week.
Junior James Moore (16.9) leads the Aggies in scoring and had 22 points in the earlier meeting with the Cajuns, while Jason Fontenot (12.4) added 20. Those, however, were the only double-figure producers in the Jan. 2 game.
The Cajuns have four players averaging in double figures in Brad Boyd (16.5), Anthony Johnson (14.9), Michael Southall (14.5) and Bridges (11.2). Southall, who tops the team in rebounding (7.4), is the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week, an honor that Bridges earned one week ago.
“”I really think our guys are ready to play,’’ Evans said. “”They wanted to play the next night after the Denver game. But I’m glad we had the extra day to prepare and get some work done.
“”Playing the close games last week was a positive in that each possession was critical, and it’s going to be like that tonight and from here on in.’’
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Tracking Louisiana's meteoric rise in the RPI
Quote:
<i>Posted on Delphi by Jay Walker</i><p align=justify>The Projected RPI for UL is 51 as of this morning. That is based on the Cajuns winning the remainder of their regular season games, and our non conference opponents having a 33-32 record the rest of the way.
The projected rpi has gone up in the last two weeks because of the Cajuns win over NMSU which was projected as a loss, and several upsets by our non conference opponents (Loyola-Chicago beating Butler, for example.)
IF the Cajuns run the table and there are some more upsets by our opponents, the RPI could be higher.
Now, about the Mid Major Top Ten. Of the teams ranked in the ESPN poll and the top ten of college insider, the Cajuns have the sixth best RPI currently. Creighton (43), Butler (44),, gonzaga (46), Weber St. (52) and Kent (57) are currently higher.
By the Way, the WAC teams are not eligible for the mid major poll since they are a "major" conference in basketball.
The Cajuns RPI is higher than every single WAC team
<center><p><a href="http://forums.delphiforums.com/RaginCajuns/messages?msg=9318.2">The source of the info</a>
Jay Walker just said Cajuns are #1
Jay Walker just said the Cajuns are the first team in the country to win their division. Yahoooooo!!!:D :D
Early season "Crawfish Quotes."
This was some quotes I dug up from pre-season and early season about my takes on the Cajuns. They all were copied off of the archived messages at Delphi. Of course I would never gloat but.. well, you be the judge:
October 12:
“My opinion of this team is that if Southall and Laurie Bridges become eligible they will again contend for the SBC West title and with a few breaks could win it all. If they do not become eligible, they will still be a top 4 team in the conference. If anyone else who attended has any observations, I would love to hear some other views.”
October 25:
“The above statement is not correct. Even though Mike did not work out as much as some had hope during the summer and goofed off academically, last year he was our best player and the other players seemed to like him. He is not a cancer in the locker room has an average work ethic during practice. Even if he does not make the NBA, if he can become eligible, he is still the 2nd best player in the conference this year, the best next year. What we have done is form a lynch mob based on opinions of people who admitted they only saw him play a few times or not all. I have seen Mike play at least 15 times and have definitely the best freshman I have seen at UL. I have also seen him in practice and he is certainly no "Cancer." The kid is a bit immature, but how many of us were not at that age. Let's at least find out if he becomes eligible before we prepare to string him up!”
November 23:
“If we get the big guy back, this team could be special.”
December 12:
The Big Cheese could have just stood under the basket last night and scored 50+ points. There was nobody that could defend him on that team. As odd as it sounds, Jesse had mercy on those guys by keeping Southall, Boyd, and the bunny out for most of the game.
December 17: (to Reggie)
As far as the team this year, I wish you had the opportunity to see how our man Brad Boyd has improved this year on his shooting fundamentals, you would be proud. This year’s club has more talent on the court than I have seen since I began to follow the Cajuns in the middle 80s. That does not necessarily translate to wins though, because as a coach you know that they have to keep their heads screwed on right in order to be champs. Perhaps your example of the team from 2000 should be used to inspire these guys on the value of teamwork. I just hope they can be their best and represent the school honorable, as you guys did.
Fish
December 16:
“To a lesser extent, the bunny was doing the same things last year. He has just gotten a little better as a senior has. I saw no negatives in the starting 5's performance tonight. I also really like Cedric Williams. Before he gets out of here, I think he will be a star in this league. This team has the POTENTIAL to be very good this this year, if they can stay together and not get full of themselves. Southall looks even better than he did as a freshman, and that was great. Cameron is quietly making a name for himself, (remember the 3 point shot?) Over 70% from the free throw line as a team.”
November 14:
“If Mike comes back, this team could be very special. Like I said, last night the "D" did not show up, but I have seen in the scrimmages that they are capable of playing good defense, so I am not overly concerned”
“I don't know what our record will be at the end of the season, but I have seen a great deal of improvement on the part of 3 key players, Johnson, Boyd and KJ. Kj has not gotten rattled yet this year and seems to be playing in control most of the time. His passing has improved greatly and he is passing off rather than shooting in a lot of cases. When he has shot, it has been open looks or lay-ups, possibly from the fast break. The bunny is playing in control and is flying to the basket this year. Brad has been shooting lights out from the perimeter. Again, I don't have a clue what their record will be, But if Southall comes back this team could be much better than last year, but so could the rest of the belt.
This assessment is based on 3 scrimmages I attended as well as the game last night.”
November 28:
“I think anyone who is panicking is slightly premature. This is a very good team, but even with that you still have to go out and play the games. Mcneese wanted this one a lot more than the Cajuns did and it was evident from the very start. My father in law, neutral observer) was impressed with both clubs. Personally, I was a bit disappointed in the play of the Cajuns, but not surprised. If Southall comes back, this team will be excellent. Even without him they are a pretty good team.”
December 19:
“As I have said before, this is the most complete Cajun team talent wise I have seen. (Before anyone jumps on me, I was not here in the 70s.) That does not automatically translate into wins, they still have to show up. Last night they were out-hustled in the first half by the B-C team. Fortunately the Cajuns flexed their muscles in the second half and put these guys away. The coming road games will provide some answers, but so far I am excited about this team.”
:D :D:D
Johnson steps up big on defense
<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser-Bruce Brown
LAFAYETTE — Mention Anthony Johnson, and soaring dunks and dazzling moves around the basket come to mind.
The UL Lafayette senior forward can still do those things better than most, as reflected in his 14.7 points per game (second on the team) and 5.5 rebounds each night (also second) for the Sun Belt Conference West Division champions.
When the Ragin’ Cajuns clinched the West with last Saturday’s 69-58 victory at New Mexico State, Johnson scored 18 points and had 7 rebounds.
But Johnson’s contribution to the clincher went beyond offense. He also made life miserable for NMSU’s James Moore on defense, helping to limit the Aggies standout to just six shots and a pair of field goals.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/60E77252-2457-45B9-85BD-E03CDCE34E2E.shtml">The rest of the story</a><!--
Johnson was sidelined by injury when the Cajuns hosted NMSU earlier this year, and Moore nailed 10-of-14 attempts and scored 22 points. The Cajuns won, 81-74, but Moore was more than effective.
“My ankle is much better,” said Johnson, who has started only 14 games and missed three others with ankle and foot ailments. “My movements are quicker now.
“Defensively, I can get down and defend my man with the ankle feeling differently.”
While the ankle was healing, Johnson also dealt with nagging foot discomfort.
“I had some orthodics, but they weren’t working,” he said. “So I just play without them now.”
At New Mexico State, Moore had to deal with Johnson’s quickness as well as the size and physical play of freshman Cedric Williams, and it made for a long evening.
“We challenged Anthony before the game and told him he would have to guard Moore,” Cajun coach Jessie Evans said. “We told him we didn’t know if he could handle it, and I think that got him going a little bit.”
The Cajuns once again thrived in a hostile environment, sending many of the noisy crowd of 8,859 home early with their impressive victory.
“We play well on the road because the intensity is up with everybody pulling for the opposing team,” Johnson said. “We’re used to playing in front of big crowds, now that we went out to California (Cal’s Golden Bear Classic) and North Carolina (UNC Charlotte’s Pepsi Classic).”
“The mark of a really good team is how it prepares and how it plays away from the friendly confines,” Evans said. “I think it shows a lot of character when you can go into another team’s arena and play well and win.
“Also, we’ve got really good competitors. They like that kind of situation.”
The Cajuns are sure to find hostile crowds Thursday night at Arkansas State and Saturday at Arkansas-Little Rock, and especially at the Sun Belt Tournament hosted by Western Kentucky in March.
“I think winning the Sun Belt Tournament will take having everyone on the team pulling together, doing their job and listening to the coaches,” Johnson said.
“The depth we have is an advantage for our team. We’ve got five extra starters (coming) off the bench, and that’s going to give us some rest.”
Obviously, the Cajuns (18-6, 10-1 in the Sun Belt) are focused on the league tournament, and the chance to earn an NCAA Tournament berth by winning, but they also have the Arkansas swing and home games next week against North Texas and Western Kentucky remaining in the regular season.
“I want to get into the big dance,” Johnson said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet (by winning the West). It’s my senior year, and that makes me play extremely hard because it’s my last year.”
Now that he’s healthy again, Johnson can do more things to help the Cajuns reach their goals.
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UL clinches share of West
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA Là -- The University of Louisiana men's basketball team clinched at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference West Division title with Saturday night's 69-58 win over New Mexico State.
On an eight-game win streak, the Cajuns (18-6, 10-1) can clinch the SBC West's outright crown with a win in any of their last four games.
UL completed a series sweep of New Mexico State (16-7, 6-5) and wrapped up the top seed for the West Division in the upcoming Sun Belt Tournament for the second-straight season.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/stories/021803/spo_clinch001.shtml">The story</a>
Re: Early season "Crawfish Quotes."
Quote:
Originally posted by Crawfish
October 12:
“My opinion of this team is that if Southall and Laurie Bridges become eligible they will again contend for the SBC West title and with a few breaks could win it all. If they do not become eligible, they will still be a top 4 team in the conference. If anyone else who attended has any observations, I would love to hear some other views.”[/B]
Was that with a healthy Marcus? Those are some real good early calls.
Ragin' Cajuns look to maintain win streak
<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser-Bruce Brown
JONESBORO, Ark. — Dickey Nutt isn’t surprised that Louisiana coach Jessie Evans is eager for his Ragin’ Cajuns to play Nutt’s Arkansas State Indians tonight.
The Cajuns ride a wave of momentum into the 7:05 p.m. contest at the 10,563-seat ASU Convocation Center after clinching the Sun Belt Conference West Division title with last Saturday’s 69-58 win at New Mexico State.
“I enjoy playing in Jonesboro,” Evans said. “They have great support there, and the fans really get on you.”
“I’m not surprised that Jessie’s looking forward to coming here,” Nutt said. “He’s got a great team.”
UL is 18-6 overall and a league-best 10-1 in Sun Belt play. The Cajuns also own a commanding 36-14 lead in the all-time series with the Indians.
Arkansas State is struggling at 11-13, 4-7, but battled evenly before losing 69-63 at Western Kentucky last weekend.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/367869DC-A21C-49A5-BAAD-5F547EF7A7F2.shtml">The rest of the story</a><!--
“I felt we played a pretty good game there,” Nutt said. “We were tied with two minutes to play. But the Thursday before that we played probably our worst game at Middle Tennessee (a 79-55 loss).
“I’m proud of the way the team has come back. We lost Terrance Saulsberry at point guard to a torn ACL on the first day of practice, and had a couple of heart-breaking losses to New Orleans (70-68) and Western Kentucky.
“You start with great character, top to bottom. We’ve got good students and good people on the team. They have heart, they’re sincere and they’ll fight with all their might.”
That might not be enough against the Cajuns, who are outscoring foes 77.5-68.2 points per game and lead the Sun Belt in scoring marging at 9.3 points per game. They also pace the league in assists (15.38), a tribute to teamwork.
“We thought we could wrap up the division last week if we kept coming as a team,” Evans said. “We’re not surprised, nor are we satisfied. The program deserves to be where we are now. We’d be disappointed if not.”
“They have four guys scoring in double figures (Brad Boyd, 16.8 ppg; Anthony Johnson, 14.7; Michael Southall, 13.8; Laurie Bridges, 11.1), and that shows you the kind of balance they have,” Nutt said.
“They have probably the best sophomore in the country in Southall. Johnson is one of the premier players in the league. Boyd’s shooting ... he shows no conscience. They have an experienced point guard (Kenneth Lawrence with 105 assists, 47 steals) and they also have Bridges.
“We’ll have to be ready to play well on defensive transition and keep them off the boards. We need to be better there.”
Southall is 15th in the country in field goal percentage (59.8) and can control a game even when not scoring, such as last Saturday at NMSU.
The Indians are led by Tevoris Thompson (15.6 ppg), who is tied for 16th nationally with 89 percent free throw shooting, backed by Paris London (10.9 ppg) and Kim Adams (8.8 rebounds).
“We had over 7,000 fans for the Arkansas-Little Rock game, and it should be the same Thursday,” Nutt said. “I feel we have the best fans in the league. They come out in bunches. We need to get more wins for them.”
The Cajuns invade UALR on Saturday, while New Mexico State is at Little Rock tonight and at ASU on Saturday.
“It’s a tough weekend, no question,” Nutt said. “But that’s the part of the schedule you’ve got to love. We play two of the best teams in the league in 48 hours.”
The best at the moment is Louisiana, armed with momentum.
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Basketball home attendence
average home attendence for 2002-2003 season=5,313
up from 2001-2002 season=3,836 not bad at all :D
still 2 home games left to make it better!
Well, THIS is upsetting...
I had a class and a meeting tonight so I didn't get to listen to any of the game. CAJUNS lose 84-72 to ASU. Someone PLEASE tell me what the hell happened!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
