The future of Robert Lee

[MetryCajun]

_ Talent level and level of play are two different things. I agree that it appears we have no offense and that is true but when you have Bureau, Gradnigo and Daigle all averaging double digits, they are having to essentially score 1 on 3 or even 4 because we have no offense to set up open shots for our shooters and easy baskets around the hoop. These guys are having to create for themselves constantly and that makes it that much more difficult. Also, I think talent wise we are better than LSU. We have several guys who can play multiple positions, shoot from inside and out, play above the rim and play good D. I certainly can't argue that we are not playing well. However, i think with some chemistry and coaching, this team would be immensely better. _

I totally disagree. The proof will be in a few years when a couple of LSU guys will be in the NBA and our guys will be overseas.
Also, who on this team can shoot from the inside? I bet Bureau and Daigle shoot better on 3's than 2's. We have multiple problems. The most obvious is the coach, but our players talent level is also an issue. To me talent includes shooting and rebounding. Things our players are not good at.

[bballholic]

_ You're right, you can't put stock into the star method. Why? Because Wallace isn't very good at all but you say he was a 3 star guy? Bureau was recruited and wanted by LSU but they didn't have any scholarships left. We got a steal with him. Delwan Graham hasn't exactly lit it up for LSU has he? Also, if Graham had gone to UL, he wouldn't be a 4 star guy I guarantee it. These systems are subject to change especially once a player has committed to somewhere. I do think that the Cajuns have more overall talent but as stated earlier, they don't play well as a team and LSU does along with being much better coached. LSU had to have a career day from Tasmin Mitchell and Bo Spencer to beat the Cajuns when they obviously played poorly as they have lately and you still escaped with a 2 point win. _

Come on, was it really a two point game? LSU had a double digit lead until Randle went nuts down the stretch. What has he done since then? Now, I know the SEC isn't strong this year, but LSU is coming off two easy victories over South Carolina and Ole Miss. Hell, LSU still has two starters from its Final Four team. Delwan Graham isn't seeing the court because he's playing behind junior and seniors. LSU isn't trying to spread the wealth to 12 players, as they are really set on a solid 8-9 player rotation with a few minutes coming after that. Centenary did the same thing against LSU than the Cajuns did, are they just as talented as LSU? Nicholls State gave LSU all they wanted in the Pmac, as did Jackson State earlier this season. Hell, McNeese only lost to LSU by 3. I think you are putting a little too much stock into the fact that LSU only beat the Cajuns by 2 points. Is LSU a great team? Not even close, but they might have a shot at making the NCAA tournament due to the SEC being down.

[Clutch0364]

_ Come on, was it really a two point game? LSU had a double digit lead until Randle went nuts down the stretch. What has he done since then? Now, I know the SEC isn't strong this year, but LSU is coming off two easy victories over South Carolina and Ole Miss. Hell, LSU still has two starters from its Final Four team. Delwan Graham isn't seeing the court because he's playing behind junior and seniors. LSU isn't trying to spread the wealth to 12 players, as they are really set on a solid 8-9 player rotation with a few minutes coming after that. Centenary did the same thing against LSU than the Cajuns did, are they just as talented as LSU? Nicholls State gave LSU all they wanted in the Pmac, as did Jackson State earlier this season. Hell, McNeese only lost to LSU by 3. I think you are putting a little too much stock into the fact that LSU only beat the Cajuns by 2 points. Is LSU a great team? Not even close, but they might have a shot at making the NCAA tournament due to the SEC being down. _

After watching Ul the last few times they have played I have started to doubt the talent that we have on this team. Poor coaching and poor play all the way around. If Lee is not fired after this season I will not go to a game next year because it simply will not be worth the money I have to pay for tickets.

[bballholic]

Well, I wouldn't give up all hope, because this team does have some nice talent. For whatever reasons, Lee and his staff are having a hard time putting them in a position to succeed. Also, the early season injuries and suspensions certainly hindered the chemistry of this team. Coming into the season, we all pretty much knew an at-large bid was highly unlikely. So, it really just boils down to the Sun Belt tournament. IF the team can find some continuity and get a few breaks down the stretch, they can string together 3-4 wins needed to win the tourney in my opinion.

[HoustonCajun]

_ Well, I wouldn't give up all hope, because this team does have some nice talent. For whatever reasons, Lee and his staff are having a hard time putting them in a position to succeed. Also, the early season injuries and suspensions certainly hindered the chemistry of this team. Coming into the season, we all pretty much knew an at-large bid was highly unlikely. So, it really just boils down to the Sun Belt tournament. IF the team can find some continuity and get a few breaks down the stretch, they can string together 3-4 wins needed to win the tourney in my opinion. _

IF we even make the tournament. Right now, I'm guessing we don't.

[CajunRed]

A comment made earlier... "Also, I think talent wise we are better than LSU."

That is simply NOT THE CASE. Although we surely have SOME talent, I think anyone who thinks we have more than a minimal amount (or more than LSU) is fooling themselves.

Bottom line, though, whether it is talent... overall recruiting... chemistry... or Xs and Os... this is just NOT ACCEPTABLE! I've been watching the Cajuns for over 45 years and I am no longer motivated to go watch them play. They are just NOT fun to watch.

This is not good!

[HoustonCajun]

_ A comment made earlier... "Also, I think talent wise we are better than LSU."

That is simply NOT THE CASE. Although we surely have SOME talent, I think anyone who thinks we have more than a minimal amount (or more than LSU) is fooling themselves.

Bottom line, though, whether it is talent... overall recruiting... chemistry... or Xs and Os... this is just NOT ACCEPTABLE! I've been watching the Cajuns for over 45 years and I am no longer motivated to go watch them play. They are just NOT fun to watch.

This is not good! _

I have followed UL basketball just about as long as you have. Our once proud basketball program is imploding, internally and externally. I, too, refuse to watch them play. I fear that is now becoming the norm towards this program.

[bballholic]

_ IF we even make the tournament. Right now, I'm guessing we don't. _

How many teams make it to the Sun Belt tourney? The SEC allows every team play in the tourney, which allowed Georgia with an overall losing record play in the NCAA tourney last year. Also, I've enjoyed the discussion with everyone.

[HoustonCajun]

_ How many teams make it to the Sun Belt tourney? The SEC allows every team play in the tourney, which allowed Georgia with an overall losing record play in the NCAA tourney last year. Also, I've enjoyed the discussion with everyone. _

Good question. I didn't think every team made it, but could stand corrected. Will someone post who knows? And, if not everyone makes it, where does UL currently stand in regards to the post season tourney?

[jllanclos]

Everyone makes it. The first round games are at the site of the lower seeded team, and the quarters, semi and final are the real tourney that most think we won't make this year.
igeaux.mobi

[UL_Cajuns]

Will this Feb. 4th announcement be the firing of Robert Lee?

[MiamiCajun32]

_ I have followed UL basketball just about as long as you have. Our once proud basketball program is imploding, internally and externally. I, too, refuse to watch them play. I fear that is now becoming the norm towards this program. _

Your fear is my biggest fear about the program too. It seems like all the history from blackham and earlier Cajundome days have simply gone with the wind, thanks to one very bad coaching run. I have a hard time convincing myself to even care anymore, which is sad, but considering that the administration can't / will not make a coaching change even when there could not be more of an obvious need for one, why should the fans care anymore? Of course I still care, but if things don't change quickly re how the UL administration does not seem to care at all about holding major athletic programs up to any even slight standard of winning, there will be little fan base left. It seems that the current Cajuns bball team could win more games with no head coach at all than with Lee. I am just a casual fan, no expert by any means, but my instincts were straight away that Lee could not coach a lick, even while watching them almost beat Louisville in NCAAs his first year at the helm. If even a layperson like myself notices this, from far away in Miami no less, then how in the world could the administration not notice too? Why in the world was Lee given an extension when he had no leverage to ask for one, as no other program was beating down his door? Very sad state of affairs. If UL refuses to buy out Lee's contract, I don't see how more than 2000 or so people next year will be showing up for games until he is gone.