It's definitely a bittersweet situation.

Five members of UL's basketball squad will be celebrating their final home-court appearance at the Cajundome tonight, and every one of them is hoping beyond hope that it's not their last home game.

When Ross Mouton, Adam James, Valentino Hart, Alphonso Williams and Rhett Hebert are honored prior to the 7:05 p.m. regular-season finale against North Texas, their wish is another chance to play in front of the home fans Wednesday and/or next Sunday, and the following Monday and Tuesday.

It all depends on tonight's outcome against the Mean Green (18-10, 9-8 Sun Belt), and the outcomes of every other Sun Belt Conference game today. If UL wins tonight and the other games fall just right, the Cajuns conceivably could host a first-round game Wednesday in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Even if that doesn't happen, UL (9-19, 7-10 Sun Belt) will go on the road for that game and still can get back home with a first-round win, since the balance of the Sun Belt Tournament will be played at the Cajundome. The men's quarterfinalists - the five first-round winners and the three teams earning first-round byes - play March 4, with the semifinals March 5 and the nationally televised finals March 6.

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com