The Book: 2006-2007 Ragin' Cajuns Basketball

[Clutch0364]

Ok, so I am sitting here at work listening to Jay at the Sunbelt coaches preseason conference. Now I know it is a good thing to not have thought about the round ball yet because that means the football team is doing well!!!!

However, it almost November and I havent heard anything about our upcoming season. So now I ask all of you pundits that know a thing or two if you could give up your preview! Come on Clutch, I know you have a preview for us!

Not to mention, we are picked to finish......6th!!! Repeat, 6th in the West...not the confernce but just in the west. YUK!

Would like to read a lil bit about what to expect this season.

We have so much youth it is hard to preview anything with them but I'll try to dig up something for you because I know deep down your a good guy...just with really bad habits lol

[CajunPar]

I am anxious to see this team grow. I know these guys are young and inexperienced, but have you seen them? Coach Lee must have really had them hitting the weight room this summer. We are impressive in physical strength. The player’s arms are huge, except for a couple of players like Tyren Johnson and Corey Bloom (ineligible). Coach Lee plays an aggressive style of basketball and you must be strong. Last year Turner, Pesoli, Barksdale, Fields etc... Were not physically capable of being strong, that will not be the case this year. I predict we will be better defensively than people think. As for talent, a lot is unknown, but I am interested to see how Dees strengthens our outside shooting, how Mouton uses his new found body to strengthen up his defense, how the three young big guys (Milson, Wallace, Milsap) react to college basketball at this level, and if Lago can grow as a point guard and leader of this team. I want to see if Gary and Dison can apply their talent and become a force in the Sunbelt for years to come. All of these things will be told over the next couple of years.

Predicted starting lineup:

PG- Rhett Hebert (with Lago waiting in the wings)
G - David Dees (hope he can shoot like I think)
C - Adam James (Milson should have an impact soon)
F - Valentino Hart (Wallace, Milsap can play)
F - Ross Mouton (should be stronger on defense and Dison if eligible
could help)

[Tripple Threat]

I am anxious to see this team grow. I know these guys are young and inexperienced, but have you seen them? Coach Lee must have really had them hitting the weight room this summer. We are impressive in physical strength. The player’s arms are huge, except for a couple of players like Tyren Johnson and Corey Bloom (ineligible). Coach Lee plays an aggressive style of basketball and you must be strong. Last year Turner, Pesoli, Barksdale, Fields etc... Were not physically capable of being strong, that will not be the case this year. I predict we will be better defensively than people think. As for talent, a lot is unknown, but I am interested to see how Dees strengthens our outside shooting, how Mouton uses his new found body to strengthen up his defense, how the three young big guys (Milson, Wallace, Milsap) react to college basketball at this level, and if Lago can grow as a point guard and leader of this team. I want to see if Gary and Dison can apply their talent and become a force in the Sunbelt for years to come. All of these things will be told over the next couple of years.

Predicted starting lineup:

PG- Rhett Hebert (with Lago waiting in the wings)
G - David Dees (hope he can shoot like I think)
C - Adam James (Milson should have an impact soon)
F - Valentino Hart (Wallace, Milsap can play)
F - Ross Mouton (should be stronger on defense and Dison if eligible
could help)

Kelly Tripucka...I haven't heard that name in a while...How about them Pistons?

[diggler]

Dison Status?

[CajunPar]

Kelly Tripucka...I haven't heard that name in a while...How about them Pistons?

They jump way too high, run way too fast, play way too much defense. They would have never made it in K.Tripucka's world.

[CajunPar]

Dison Status?

Who needs Dison when you have Adam James?!!!!!

[diggler]

I hope to God that Milson will be our starting center!!

[NewsCopy]

Robert Lee has been involved in college basketball for a lot of years, but he doesn't mind saying that he's more than concerned about his UL basketball squad's opening exhibition game tonight. "This is the first time I've actually been scared about an exhibition game," Lee said as his team prepared for a 7:05 p.m. meeting with Spring Hill College at the Cajundome. "I don't care if it's an exhibition game or not, I like to win." Normally, that's not a problem in exhibition games, especially against an NAIA club like the Badgers. But Spring Hill may not be a typical exhibition opponent. The Badgers went 22-9 last year and have three double-figure scorers back from that team. Spring Hill also threw in 256 three-pointers last year, and had nine more in the first half against Florida State in a Tuesday exhibition when they led Florida State 39-34. FSU eventually rallied for a 90-72 victory, but the video of that game was enough to give Lee chills. "The coaches that scheduled this game, I don't know if they did their research," Lee said. "I got scared watching them shoot the ball." The fright level may also be magnified given the makeup of the Cajun squad. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[CajunKahouna]

I wonder if we have ever lost an exhibition game? Oh well, never mind.

[Tripple Threat]

Very Duke like...white bread and nothing fancy. No dunks and as my wife said, "the game lacked biceps flying to the rim". But...it looks like they're going to be disciplined. Not a lot of forced shots, although Lago was a little erratic. Ross looks more aggressive and his stroke looks good. Dees will come along, I don't think he hit a jump shot, but he drove to the rim and drew some fouls. VALENTINO HART is the new heart and soul. I Love The Guy. We'll be going to all the games, these guys hustle and play hard. Worth the price of admission. My 2 cents.

[ulforlife]

Very Duke like...white bread and nothing fancy. No dunks and as my wife said, "the game lacked biceps flying to the rim". But...it looks like they're going to be disciplined. Not a lot of forced shots, although Lago was a little erratic. Ross looks more aggressive and his stroke looks good. Dees will come along, I don't think he hit a jump shot, but he drove to the rim and drew some fouls. VALENTINO HART is the new heart and soul. I Love The Guy. We'll be going to all the games, these guys hustle and play hard. Worth the price of admission. My 2 cents.

(some copy from another post)

I thought the guys played sloppy the frist half but stepped it up once they realized they could be the boss. I really liked how Ross took charge, 22 points isn't bad on his first night. I also think this guy Dees is going to be a good player (14 points). Valentino played well I thought, he is a very aggressive guy and though sometimes he looks to be over the top I really think he wants it bad and he gives his all. I have spoken with him a number of times and he is really trying to buckle down this year and give it his best. He was a lot of "hart" (I know)... Ross looks like he's been shooting the ball a lot, he's clean. Rhett made some key plays to get the guys going and Wallace looks like he'll come around shooting if he settles down a little. Free throws looked decent tonight, definately better than last year. Never know, we'll see how it goes but as far as the future...I think we'll be ok. these guys are going to grow together

[Tripple Threat]

(some copy from another post)

I thought the guys played sloppy the frist half but stepped it up once they realized they could be the boss. I really liked how Ross took charge, 22 points isn't bad on his first night. I also think this guy Dees is going to be a good player (14 points). Valentino played well I thought, he is a very aggressive guy and though sometimes he looks to be over the top I really think he wants it bad and he gives his all. I have spoken with him a number of times and he is really trying to buckle down this year and give it his best. He was a lot of "hart" (I know)... Ross looks like he's been shooting the ball a lot, he's clean. Rhett made some key plays to get the guys going and Wallace looks like he'll come around shooting if he settles down a little. Free throws looked decent tonight, definately better than last year. Never know, we'll see how it goes but as far as the future...I think we'll be ok. these guys are going to grow together

I heard a guy sitting behind me say that he spoke to Valentino a few times...student section, middle, about half way up...moved out at half time. Was that you? I was with the cute "little" pregnant blonde sitting below you.

I agree with you, free throws looked a hell of lot better than last year.

[Jeaux]

I agree with almost everything said earlier. Free throw shooting looks much better as well as ball handling. Although the cajuns won't be athletic as in past years shooting and scoring should be much better. Will Lago looks like he could grow into being our next T-Wade. Courtney Wallace is a banger inside. But Tyren Johnson is the one with the most upside from what I saw in his limited action. 20 more pounds and a couple of inches and he could be a beast... and we have 4 years with these guys. Until then we have Dees and Mouton to hold us over to the young guys develop more.

[cajun67]

Lots of works in progress including our srs. Weak perimeter shooting again this year unless it develops. Not as much athleticism but as pointed out, good potential for disciplined movement. FTs did look better. Mostly off back not front of rim as last year. Inside will be a bear but I am most patient. Good to see round ball again.

[Clutch0364]

I have to work weekdays so I will probably only get to see 1 or 2 games this year so you guys needs these post after every game :-) Glad to hear the Cajuns played well...how about the women?