Hello everyone. Let me introduce myself. I'm Puffdaddy, the sports guy who knows just about everything dealing with Sports in Acadiana. I have been reading post on here for the past 2 years and never once posted but I thought I would put my 2 cents in since I can. Here we go
Starters for the SeasonAfter the 6 or 7th game)
Randell Daigle 5'10 PG
Travis Bureau 6'7 SG
Chris Gradnigo 6'7 SF
Jeremy Barr 6'9 PF
Emmanuel Adeife 6'10 C
2nd Team
Ryan McCoy 6'0 PG
Brandon Dison 6'6 SG
Lamar Roberson 6'8 SF
La'Ryan Gary 6'7 F
Courtney Wallace 6'8 PF
3rd Team
Willie Lago 6'1 PG
Corey Bloom 6'6 SG
Tyren Johnson 6'8 F
Colby Batiste 6'9 C
Point Guards
My reasons: 1st, Randell Daigle is a true scoring machine. He is a really good friend of mine and keeps me informed on things that the public doesn't know so that's why I'm here to tell you that he is the starter. His health issues are not a problem like the paper makes it out to. When I was an assistant at Northside High, Randell and his parents handled the Diabetic problems well. That was a main issue for him signing with UL. He was going to Tulsa, but he wanted to stay close with his mom who still takes care of him with his health issues. Every now and then I would keep a pack of Skittles in my pocket during games and he never missed a game due to this status.
Ryan McCoy is lighting in a bottle. He is fast but sometimes out of control. His shot is decent. He is more of a penetrator than a shooter. He will split time with Randell.
Willie Lago, well he never really panned out to be a good D-1 guard. My SE Louisiana was his best bet. He tries to shoot a little to far out and is very athletic but to me he is a twinner between a PG and a Shooting guard.
Phillip Jones will not see the court. I made his highlight reel to get a walk-on at UL and trust me I did a good job.LOL. He's alright but will never see the court.EVER
Shooting Guards
Travis Bureau- He will have a bigger impact during his 2nd year at UL. He was redshirting last season due to size, strength and what do you know,he won a lot of games for us last season. This lanky 6'7 3 point machine will dominate smaller 2 guards especially in the Sunbelt.
Brandon Dison- His game has gotten better since I saw him at Hannah in New Orleans. He just had one move that he used over and over again. His offensive game is very shaky. He is more of a slasher than a shooter. One of the best defensive players on the court. That will earn him some valuable playing time.
Corey Bloom- Great spot shooter but other than that. This 6'6 guard will not see that much playing time. Like I said, he is a really good shooter, but will not help as much as people think, but hey if he proves me wrong good for us.
Small Fowards
Chris Gradnigo- He will one day be the Conference Player of the Year. His father was a great ball player, I think he played for Mcneese St. But he is really determined to be the best he can be. NBA scouts are going to know about this kid . Great shooter, sometimes shoots to much(Like Kobe) but his only weakness is his flat feet. This kid cannot play tuff D. That's his only knock.
Lamar Roberson- 6'8 Combo guard-foward. I repeat guard-foward. He doesn't play the post. He left UNLV because their lack of big men, Coach Kruger wanted him to play the 4. I saw this kid play in High school at the Lab and at Houston he is a hell of a 3 point shooter and he really is smooth. You'll love him. Just wait! Might even be a starter and move Gradnigo to the 2. Trust me fella's, nobody this summer could touch him at the indoor gym. All I can say is smooth.
La'Ryan Gary- I kinda feel sorry for this kid. I really hope he gets his 5th year, cause Lee has him playing the 4 and he is not a PF. Over the summer at Giroud Park Gary displayed what he will be doing for the Cajuns. He is high as ever and solid. Very strong but I'm worried about that knee problem. I saw him hobbling out of the gym a couple of times. But he is UL's dirty man of the year. He can do it all. From the 2-4. He will play but I don't know where?
Tyren Johnson- Everyone thought he would be able to beef up, but he hasn't. A redshirt would help in the long run, but I really don't think he will redshirt. He is a really good athlete who is still learning the game of Basketball. His release is very slow but his shot-blocking ability will earn him some minutes this year.
Power Fowards
Jeremy Barr- The first time I saw him I had to say wow. He is huge, might be bigger than 260. He is a bully under the goal. His free-throw shooting is weak but a big body like this is what we needed. He will play a ton of minutes. He won't average more than 9 a game but his rebounding will be key.
Courtney Wallace- A big body and an average rebounder and scorer. He will get minutes, will not redshirt at all unless baring injury.He will get good minutes in a back up role, might even start the the 1st 7 games.
Colby Batiste- A poorman's version of Perry Stevenson. Colby will get minutes by default. He is not ready to play D-1 ball. Don't get your hopes up fella's. This kid needs a lot of time. He cannot and repeat cannot redshirt. He redshirted his freshman year at that juco in wyoming. He is a project. He really can block shots and is not a strong rebounder. All he can do is tip in dunks and that's it. Really doesn't have an outside game, and cannot dribble to save his life. Really clumsy and looks goofy while running. He will only play at the beginning of the season due to the transfer rules from Adeife and Roberson. This kid is just not ready.
Emmanuel Adeife- You guys are going to love this guy. He is mean and tuff. He tries to block every shot and can rebound his a.. off. He will be a starter come December. Lee has no choice but to start this long center. Probably will lead the conference in blocks. He will dunk it everytime like a big man should. Watch out Sunbelt, the cajuns are back!
Predictions- Looking at the schedule the Ragin Cajun's will finish 19-10. Not including the post season. Look for these guys in the Sunbelt Championship with Middle Tenn State. Mark it down!
FYI- on Collegehoops.net the Cajuns have yet to be premiered on the top 144 countdown and they are at #65. So the Cajuns must be getting some love.
P.S. Anybody knows who the Cajuns are looking at to fill the open scholly left behind by Lester Fergurson? Their is a big man in North LA I think they are considering, but I really don't know at the present time. Hope you guys enjoyed my views on the Ragin Cajuns this year.