LA vs WKU

[Cajunsmike]

Not IMO, they both played most of the current season, so Long has three years of practice, and the bulk of two seasons playing. He made all conference as a red shirt freshman last year. EP a similar thing, and played for the USA, he has plenty of game time experience.

We are not young in those two positions by any reasonable understanding of 'young' in college sports.

I don't think youth is our problem. Lack of an athletic inside player to play alongside Long is our major issue. Health has been an issue for us this year as well. If Shepherd is out for the year, that will be another blow.

[CrazyCajun]

Oh! He was attacking the coach? I didn't pick up on that.

I thought Express was saying Long and Payton were not young.

He is right experience wise, they have 4 years between them.

Can't figure out what you view is but they aren't young... Payton is halfway thru his junior year, played a lot as a freshman and traveled with team usa. Long is a redshirt sophomore who has started since day 1 of eligibility. The majority of their supporting cast are juniors and seniors. They and we are not young.

[Cajunsmike]

In Marlin's first year, LaRyan Gary was the leader of the team. I wish we had someone like him. I don't think the coach is stopping anyone from stepping into that role. I don't think we have anyone with the personality to be a verbal leader. Bryant Mbamalu is one who could have that role but his health is impacting his performance on the court which minimizes his ability to get on others. With the injury he had, he will not be 100% anytime this season.

[Just1More]

I don't think youth is our problem. Lack of an athletic inside player to play alongside Long is our major issue. Health has been an issue for us this year as well. If Shepherd is out for the year, that will be another blow.

You are right on all accounts. And it would be a great assist to the team if that added athlete that can help inside helped generate some alpha attitude when needed. I think the "youth" comment validity is in the passive nature of both Long and Payton. The mental side of the game requires some "getting into the head" of the other team. Marlin can't be the only guy on the Cajun team that has an alpha attitude. It's my 30,000 foot view of Marlin and this team... but it just "looks like" Marlin is the only "man" with a set jaw. He needs to allow a player or two emerge as "on the floor alphas" IMO.

[Just1More]

In Marlin's first year, LaRyan Gary was the leader of the team. I wish we had someone like him. I don't think the coach is stopping anyone from stepping into that role. I don't think we have anyone with the personality to be a verbal leader. Bryant Mbamalu is one who could have that role but his health is impacting his performance on the court which minimizes his ability to get on others. With the injury he had, he will not be 100% anytime this season.

Good point.

[CrazyCajun]

Gary was a leader on the bench with a broken leg. Leaders lead all the time, not just when they get to play.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Currently you have to be six by the start of elementary school to enter without special permission. When I was in school you had to be six by December 31st of the year. So in the modern world, you are correct, he would be about dead center in age. In my world almost a year. Regardless he is not a young player by anyones sense of what it means in college play. Hell he is barely young by modern NBA standards, he will be 20 in a few weeks.