2013-2014 Cajuns Mens Basketball Preview

[NewsCopy]

Back for his fourth season with Louisiana men’s basketball, coach Bob Marlin returns two of the Sun Belt’s top players ... A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Payton (15.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.4 spg) made the all-conference first team after leading the ...

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[Cajunsmike]

Back for his fourth season with Louisiana men's basketball, coach Bob Marlin returns two of the Sun Belt's top players ... A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Payton (15.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.4 spg) made the all-conference first team after leading the ...

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After watching 2 game against outmanned opponents I still can't get a pulse on how the basketball team will do. Long and Payton will get good nos. in every game but of course they will need help. In the first game some outside shots were made but rebounding was disappointing as well as free throws. In the 2nd game outside shooting struggled but everything else was OK. It is obvious that new guys like Kammer and Register are still having trouble getting their nerves under control. I suspect against McNeese that we will see the same lineup we did in the first two with Shepherd and Davenport being the top guys off the bench. I looked at the McNeese box score against Michigan State and they were outrebounded badly. I don't think they have two true big men so Moore and Wronkowski will start again. I was hoping Moore would never play the four spot all season but I can understand he will when teams start lots of quick guys. It will be interesting to see what happens Tuesday as we will go against competition which will give us a better gauge on the team.

[Boomer]

I finally saw who you were at the last game---problem was that you were too far away for me to see what you looked like!!!! lol--man JJ is a home boy but still needs to shed some serious weight----In that pre game drill where they run and keep putting the ball against the glass---he wasn't a vertical jumper of blessed height!!!

[cajun67]

Good analysis, Mike. Payton and Long dominated but expected against La College. Like Kande's running the floor and battling underneath. Lots of raw talent but very raw. JJ will be a presence but needs to lose more weight. Nice touch from 15 feet but we don't need him there. Bad match up for him with La Col. Rimmer, Register and Kammer as Mike said need to let the game come to them. All have talent but lots to develop.Register showed he can shoot but needs to look for open people.

Loved the FT shooting. Unsure of outside but coach says we'll be ok. Hope so. Lots of uptempo movement and all moved on Saturday. As said, hard to judge with such a small team. We'll see with the Pokes. But I'm ready for B-ball.

[lcitsh]

Cajunsmike, cajun67, I'm in agreement with you. We know what we will get from Elfrid & Shawn, the question will be "Who else will consistently contribute throughout the season?" I think the answer is "Whoever Elfrid decides will contribute." This is 100% Elfrid's team. Whoever is productive on the court that particular night will get the ball from Elfrid. If no one is scoring, Elfrid will take the load. There will not be many guards around the country who will be able to check him, especially with these new rules in place.

He will have options. Kasey and Kevin are strong on the dribble and can shoot well enough from the outside. Steven seems to have his confidence early on and he is shooting well. It's too early to tell if Xavian & Hayward will be able to contribute offensively. Bryant may have to redshirt, his injury is serious enough to where that may be necessary. That may be what is preventing Hayward from being redshirted. J. J. and Vieux will develop, the question is "how quickly?"

Next week's road trip to Fayetteville & Waco will give us a measure of what needs work and who will contribute early. This will be a very interesting team to watch over the course of the season. One thing's for sure, this will not be a half court, slow down ball club. They will be able to run with anyone who wants to play a 94' game, and can beat them at it. Let's get it, the basketball season is here.

[Turbine]

Lcitsh, I'm in agreement with you.