Pesoli, Fields will not return to UL basketball

[cajun1300]

As per today's arrest reports:

Lucian Alexander Graham, 22, Bellaire, TX - possession of marijuana.

[RonMexico]

As per today's arrest reports:

Lucian Alexander Graham, 22, Bellaire, TX - possession of marijuana.

very nice.

L'Ronte'

[Jason]

As per today's arrest reports:

Lucian Alexander Graham, 22, Bellaire, TX - possession of marijuana.

Got rid of him just in time. He scared me everytime he got the ball any way....

Good Riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cajunsmike]

Last year's recruiting class was a total dissaster. Not just because it was not a good one, but because Lee recruited players he proclaimed would help Cajuns go far in NCAA tourney, only to flop completely. Then Lee blames it on the players by cutting them all loose, with little or no explanation for most. Have you ever seen a program offer scholarships and then take them away for so many players, just one year into the coach's and university's committment to them (most of these transfers turned down scholarships at other schools to go to UL?

I was happy that Lee brought back Southall and gave him a final chance, which worked out well for the player and coach. However, that move by Lee makes the idea that he is cleaning house for some ethical reasons a bit hard to swallow. Seems like he is just throwing these players' careers under a bus because he would rather go in a different direction. It is too bad that these players and their parents did not know that Lee thought of this as an option when he was recruiting them with full scholarships committed until their playing eligibility is over.

Even if all these players were bad apples and were not following team rules (doubtful), if so many players are cutting up then it falls on the head coach, no doubt. Responsibility for such a disgrace of having the majority of a 1A team out of control of course falls on the head coach.

But most disgraceful of all is Lee blaming the players he is cutting loose and thus hurting their chances for catching on with any other program, including the ones they had turned down scholarships to come to UL (at Lee's persistance).

I give Lee a very small chance of turning things around. The program is in a state of dissaray because of his poor leadership and now I doubt that he will suddenly be able to turn things around.

And just because so many people have a high opinion of Lee and think he is a great guy does not change the fact that the program is in dissaray and an embarrassment with regards to either one or the other: a) a team that was so out of control that majority had to be cut loose from scholarships; and / or b) a team that made a mistake in recruiting with a number of players and then cut them loose, not honoring the scholarship committment and then blaming the players, proclaiming they have character problems and broke team rules.

What is missing from your view is that you have no idea how the new players will turn out. Northwestern State won an NCAA tourney game this year with players not rated nearly as high as our class. I agree this year may be similar to last due to youth. However, let's see what happens next year when these guys get a year of experience.

[Cajunsmike]

Last year's recruiting class was a total dissaster. Not just because it was not a good one, but because Lee recruited players he proclaimed would help Cajuns go far in NCAA tourney, only to flop completely. Then Lee blames it on the players by cutting them all loose, with little or no explanation for most. Have you ever seen a program offer scholarships and then take them away for so many players, just one year into the coach's and university's committment to them (most of these transfers turned down scholarships at other schools to go to UL?

I was happy that Lee brought back Southall and gave him a final chance, which worked out well for the player and coach. However, that move by Lee makes the idea that he is cleaning house for some ethical reasons a bit hard to swallow. Seems like he is just throwing these players' careers under a bus because he would rather go in a different direction. It is too bad that these players and their parents did not know that Lee thought of this as an option when he was recruiting them with full scholarships committed until their playing eligibility is over.

Even if all these players were bad apples and were not following team rules (doubtful), if so many players are cutting up then it falls on the head coach, no doubt. Responsibility for such a disgrace of having the majority of a 1A team out of control of course falls on the head coach.

But most disgraceful of all is Lee blaming the players he is cutting loose and thus hurting their chances for catching on with any other program, including the ones they had turned down scholarships to come to UL (at Lee's persistance).

I give Lee a very small chance of turning things around. The program is in a state of dissaray because of his poor leadership and now I doubt that he will suddenly be able to turn things around.

And just because so many people have a high opinion of Lee and think he is a great guy does not change the fact that the program is in dissaray and an embarrassment with regards to either one or the other: a) a team that was so out of control that majority had to be cut loose from scholarships; and / or b) a team that made a mistake in recruiting with a number of players and then cut them loose, not honoring the scholarship committment and then blaming the players, proclaiming they have character problems and broke team rules.

----------------------------------------------------------------

What is missing from your view is that you have no idea how the new players will turn out. Northwestern State won an NCAA tourney game this year with players not rated nearly as high as our class. I agree this year may be similar to last due to youth. However, let's see what happens next year when these guys get a year of experience.

[MiamiCajun32]

----------------------------------------------------------------

What is missing from your view is that you have no idea how the new players will turn out. Northwestern State won an NCAA tourney game this year with players not rated nearly as high as our class. I agree this year may be similar to last due to youth. However, let's see what happens next year when these guys get a year of experience.

If they work out great, but if not by all means RL should take away their scholarships too... A scholarship commitment from this program is worthless and recruits will see that.

[Cajunsmike]

If they work out great, but if not by all means RL should take away their scholarships too... A scholarship commitment from this program is worthless and recruits will see that.

I think you are being a little harsh by saying a scholarship is worthless. Plenty of coaches tell players to earn their scholarships. Tim Floyd did this type of thing regularly while at UNO and they did very well while he was there.
(I was living in New Orleans at the time). You don't know the real reason why the two guys were not invited back nor do I. I do know there is a big difference with letting marginal JC guys go with only one more year and freshman. JC guys had little upside while freshman have the luxury of four or five years to learn. We will be much more patient due to this situation. We won't be as quick to cut ties with these guys as we had a unique opportunity this year with a strong Louisiana class and LSU not having any scholarships. I suspect we will see some guys redshirt in fact.

Also, it was obvious to all that we would not be bringing some people back this year and it did not affect our recruiting. We brought in 8 freshman and by the time the second semester begins all but Gary will be eligible. He has gotten a headstart by going to summer school. We probably will bring in only one guy this coming year as we will have two open scholarships. Gary will get one and the guy to get the other one may well be one of the top players in Louisiana who is related to our new assistant coach, LeBato.

[Tripple Threat]

I think you are being a little harsh by saying a scholarship is worthless. Plenty of coaches tell players to earn their scholarships. Tim Floyd did this type of thing regularly while at UNO and they did very well while he was there.
(I was living in New Orleans at the time). You don't know the real reason why the two guys were not invited back nor do I. I do know there is a big difference with letting marginal JC guys go with only one more year and freshman. JC guys had little upside while freshman have the luxury of four or five years to learn. We will be much more patient due to this situation. We won't be as quick to cut ties with these guys as we had a unique opportunity this year with a strong Louisiana class and LSU not having any scholarships. I suspect we will see some guys redshirt in fact.

Also, it was obvious to all that we would not be bringing some people back this year and it did not affect our recruiting. We brought in 8 freshman and by the time the second semester begins all but Gary will be eligible. He has gotten a headstart by going to summer school. We probably will bring in only one guy this coming year as we will have two open scholarships. Gary will get one and the guy to get the other one may well be one of the top players in Louisiana who is related to our new assistant coach, LeBato.

Excellent reply...