The Book: 2006-2007 Ragin' Cajuns Basketball

[MiamiCajun32]

I think you need to give any new coach 4 years to get his program in place. In Coach Lee's situation I think its 5 years in that he was hired so late after the recruiting period.

Here is one simple question: When was the last time a Cajun basketball coach had 4 or 5 years to simply build a team that could compete in a weak conference? Evans came in and cupboard was completey bare, but thankfully did not need 4 or 5 years. Same goes for other coaches past.

If UL basketball was logically headed for 4 years of mediocrity just by letting Evans go, then UL would never have let him go.

Maybe in a couple of years Cajuns will be above .500 and then the following year will compete for a sunbelt title, with about 33% of winning it (but only if another program, such as Western Kentucky, is not having a great year.

The reason Cajuns went to NCAAs the last two times was due to transfers. There will be no more great transfers coming in because of what happened this year to Lee's transfers from last year.

This high school class will have to outperform their current status because none are even close to major college blue chip material (such as Greene, Wade, Southall, and Mitchell all were). None are even as acclaimed as Turner and Barksdale coming out of high school. Of course, this year's class has to be academicaly eligible as well, which seems to be a constant problem for many programs...

[Clutch0364]

Here is one simple question: When was the last time a Cajun basketball coach had 4 or 5 years to simply build a team that could compete in a weak conference? Evans came in and cupboard was completey bare, but thankfully did not need 4 or 5 years. Same goes for other coaches past.

If UL basketball was logically headed for 4 years of mediocrity just by letting Evans go, then UL would never have let him go.

Maybe in a couple of years Cajuns will be above .500 and then the following year will compete for a sunbelt title, with about 33% of winning it (but only if another program, such as Western Kentucky, is not having a great year.

The reason Cajuns went to NCAAs the last two times was due to transfers. There will be no more great transfers coming in because of what happened this year to Lee's transfers from last year.

This high school class will have to outperform their current status because none are even close to major college blue chip material (such as Greene, Wade, Southall, and Mitchell all were). None are even as acclaimed as Turner and Barksdale coming out of high school. Of course, this year's class has to be academicaly eligible as well, which seems to be a constant problem for many programs...

We never let Evans go...he was offered more money than we could match to take over at San Francisco.

[lxa656]

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.

[CajunRebel]

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.

This is going to be a tough season. A really tough season.
So far I am am not too impressed with Coach Lee's program. But I'll save that for another day.

[CajunKate]

One word... YOUNG! Okay, two words... young and INEXPERIENCED! That about sums up my preview. Nonetheless, I renewed my season tickets, and I'll be at every home game. Geaux Cajuns!

[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.