There are two thoughts I would like for us to take from last night's game. If you are hoping that this win will springboard the Cajuns into a miracle run, think on these factors. Half the teams we will be playing are pretty decent defensively. The easiest person to guard is the one who will not pass the ball. If you look at our offense when we are in a half court set, the success comes when players are moving without the ball and passes are short, crisp and often. When the players get open looks within 15 feet, that opens up the 20-footers. This is when the Cajuns get their leads. The leads vanish when they begin their one-on-one moves, noboby is moving, defensive players collapse on the ball handler and he tries to shoot over two defenders. Whether the orders are coming from the bench to not go inside or the ball handlers on the court have no confidence in any "inside player" (Barr, Gary, Batiste, Adeife, Wallace), when they shoot all of their shots from 15+ feet, they make it easier for the opponent to come back. They need to make the effort to shoot within 15 feet by passing, not by dribble penetration, and they should continue to score. We'll see if they (players and coaches) can figure this out and execute it.
The second factor: Ronnie Arrow. You know, our animosity with South Alabama, in my estimation, had somewhat died down over the last few years, with Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State starting to really come to the forefront. For the 2000+ who use to come to these games and weren't there last night, you missed the reason why South Al was our #1 nemesis when we first got into the league. It brought back to my memory the days of Tim Floyd @ UNO, when he would constantly be in the officials face, chewing on him, looking for a call. The only thing that was missing was the two steps on the court that Floyd would always do.
Ronnie Arrow's actions during the game, and even more so after, will bring back the animosity Cajun fans have had toward South Alabama and will recreate the intensity of the rivalry that had taken a back seat to other programs in the conference. A potentially huge mistake on Arrow's part. Time will tell.