I'm Sorry, But…..

[Bandwagon King]

We won.

My thought is that, with Coach Marlin's guidance and coaching, we are headed back to where we all want our program to be. The program was NOT in great shape when he got here. Recruiting had been lacking for several years, so our talent level was no where CLOSE to what we've been accustomed to. And our lack of wining seasons was the result.

As we head back up, I can either sit on the sidelines and moan...or I can buy my season tickets, attend the games...and overall be a vocal supporter and defender of the program along the way.

We've got SOME help coming in this next class...and Ramone, Kadeem, Elfred, JJ and Antwann will all be a year older. It will come.

And...we won.

I didn't make it last night due to the flu. However, it sounds as though this team has a lot going for it in spite of their lackluster shooting & turnover habits. Is it just not possible that the basketball talent in this state is really down right now compared to other places? I mean is anyone else in Louisiana tearing it up right now? Did any other state school go to the tourney last year? I think with time & the right kind of support the BIG FISH is gonna turn this thing completely around. I can't wait to see thsi guy get his hands on some really great talent & coach them up.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I didn't make it last night due to the flu. However, it sounds as though this team has a lot going for it in spite of their lackluster shooting & turnover habits. Is it just not possible that the basketball talent in this state is really down right now compared to other places? I mean is anyone else in Louisiana tearing it up right now? Did any other state school go to the tourney last year? I think with time & the right kind of support the BIG FISH is gonna turn this thing completely around. I can't wait to see thsi guy get his hands on some really great talent & coach them up.

There are numerous teams this year, last year, and recent past that are upper tier teams with Louisiana kids doing important roles on these teams. The talent is in the state until signing day then it is other states.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Our BB team is just not that good. Understand I do not question the effort, which is always there. We have no dribbler, no shooter, no passer, no free throw shooter and no goto guy at all. We can't make layups or put backs. We stay in games because we play defense and are very athletic. We need a point guard that understands the roll. We need a shooter than can bury an 8 ft jump shot. Two games in a row, opponents have made last second threes that I don't believe we would have made.

My hope is for a championship but my guess is we'll be lucky to make the second round.

Maybe next year!

Many of the things you bring up for individuals is true. We have very few top five individual performers on the team in any catagory that are considered important, but are top tier in many team stats, http://www.sunbeltsports.org/fls/410...l/confonly.htm .That is why I would give Marlin an B+ on coaching. He would get an A+ on coaching but has yet to deliver on recruiting difference maker players, and recruiting is a major role of a head coach in college sports.

The freshman he is putting on the floor is his first real class, I never consider a shortened recruiting season in any sport as an indicator of a coaches recruiting skills. I absolutely love Payton, who should be playing in high school and is still 17 years old. Many freshman are 19 headed for 20 but this guy is just blossoming. I think Smith out of Mississippi is a real talet who needs a year in the weight and conditioning room. He will be a stud. Long will be good, and should have been part of this years class.

I am highly hopeful with Marlin, he can coach, he can win close games, and yes he will recruit well. Let us not forget we are losing close games as well as winning them. The important point is we win a lot more close one than lose them, and face it we are actually in clsoe games and not ten, twelve, and more down late in games. All we need is a little more talent and experience.

[Bandwagon King]

There are numerous teams this year, last year, and recent past that are upper tier teams with Louisiana kids doing important roles on these teams. The talent is in the state until signing day then it is other states.

Could you give us 12-15 examples of this? As I was talking with Kevin, Big Dave, & other local basketball guys & listening to the radio at local as well as state wide guys in the know, I have not heard of there being a great wealth of talented basketball players in this state over the past couple of years. It is just a fact of life. We are even down a little in football talent this year. Of course the HUD didn't let that stand in his way, but the HUD has one hell of a support staff.

[Just1More]

Can't disagree with anything that I have read here. Very happy that we have Marlin as a coach here....IMO, best coach since Bobby Paschal

I think you are correct. I know it sounds cliche, but it is going to take time to get his program going. His style is a stark contrast to his predecessor and it takes a lot of maneuvering to get it tuned properly. Personally, the right way to frame what's happening righ now... with this team makeup... is "we are winning despite some serious handicaps".

The flip side is the painful fan situation... loaded with talent and can't win. We are doing very well, considering. To be in the race at this point is a blessing. We're building character in our existing team and we're staged to promote good recruiting. Marlin is doing a bang up job IMO.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Could you give us 12-15 examples of this? As I was talking with Kevin, Big Dave, & other local basketball guys & listening to the radio at local as well as state wide guys in the know, I have not heard of there being a great wealth of talented basketball players in this state over the past couple of years. It is just a fact of life. We are even down a little in football talent this year. Of course the HUD didn't let that stand in his way, but the HUD has one hell of a support staff.

I know you love to hear this, and I can admit it, I WAS WRONG. The state of Louisiana as far as I can find out has three people playing on top 20 RPI teams. Two at USM, and one at Memphis.

I guess there is one kid in high school who committed to Baylor this week from a school in the River Parishes, and another earlier both cosidered top prospects.

[Bandwagon King]

I know you love to hear this, and I can admit it, I WAS WRONG. The state of Louisiana as far as I can find out has three people playing on top 20 RPI teams. Two at USM, and one at Memphis.

I guess there is one kid in high school who committed to Baylor this week from a school in the River Parishes, and another earlier both cosidered top prospects.

I understood your thinking, but sometimes reputation is just based on historical facts that aren't true at a particular time. I can remember when Louisiana would put 4, 5, even 6 teams in the tourney & still had what seemed like every team in the sweet 16 have at least one Louisiana kid on their team. We are at a historical low talent wise for this state in basketball. I believe this will all turn around in a couple of years & there are going to be some great recruiting classes, but for now, I think Marlin is doing as good of a job as can be done. I think his as well as the team's efforts are being appreciated & will be rewarded in short time.

[Million$Mullet]

I wish Smith and AMT would play more. I think those two have something that we lack severely and that's the ability to create and score.

[22Cajun]

Funny thing is that you all side line coaches need to know that Marlin did not out coach anyone Thursday. That tech was dumb (we have lost all 3 games he has been T'd in were we should have won) The kids on our team could play at any other schools in the sunbelt- No we may not have a superstar by your words but the kids do not suck like you all get on here and blast them or call for someone to replace them. You all should be ashamed. Our conference record is third best in the ENTIRE conference. Marlin does not play his kid 30+ minutes so that limits points scored. Why you all drag our kids down try appreciating them for the work they do. Alll of you cry for a point guard you need to realize how Marlins offense runs and that he calls the sets and who is to score! Unless it is transistion the sets are determined.

[SlappyCajun]

LA Basketball took a serious hit after Hurricane Katrina. However, there are still good players leaving the state.

Chip Armelin, Sulphur - Minnesota
Markel Brown, Peabody - Oklahoma State
Charles Carmouche, McMain - Memphis
Jeremy Jacob, Woodlawn - Oregon
Eric Weary, Warren Easton - NMSU
B.J. West, Rapides - NMSU

Javon Felix, St. Aug - Committed to Texas
Ricardo Gathers, Riverside - Committed to Baylor
Michael Qualls, Huntington - Committed to Arkansas
Deion Taylor, St. Aug - Committed to Richmond

Still plenty of talent in LA

[CajunRed]

Funny thing is that you all side line coaches need to know that Marlin did not out coach anyone Thursday. That tech was dumb (we have lost all 3 games he has been T'd in were we should have won) The kids on our team could play at any other schools in the sunbelt- No we may not have a superstar by your words but the kids do not suck like you all get on here and blast them or call for someone to replace them. You all should be ashamed. Our conference record is third best in the ENTIRE conference. Marlin does not play his kid 30+ minutes so that limits points scored. Why you all drag our kids down try appreciating them for the work they do. Alll of you cry for a point guard you need to realize how Marlins offense runs and that he calls the sets and who is to score! Unless it is transistion the sets are determined.

Please point out where anyone on this thread said that our players suck.

Thanks

[duggie85]

Funny thing is that you all side line coaches need to know that Marlin did not out coach anyone Thursday. That tech was dumb (we have lost all 3 games he has been T'd in were we should have won) The kids on our team could play at any other schools in the sunbelt- No we may not have a superstar by your words but the kids do not suck like you all get on here and blast them or call for someone to replace them. You all should be ashamed. Our conference record is third best in the ENTIRE conference. Marlin does not play his kid 30+ minutes so that limits points scored. Why you all drag our kids down try appreciating them for the work they do. Alll of you cry for a point guard you need to realize how Marlins offense runs and that he calls the sets and who is to score! Unless it is transistion the sets are determined.

With the refs that call sun belt games, I will never be mad at Marlin for getting t'd up.