Meanwhile, in Natchitoches

[cajun4life]

We haven't lost a single sunbelt game this year.

Only Troy and South Al have lower RPIs than us. Now that's something to brag about, or defend the coach for our great schedule which he can't even win.

[cajun4life]

You keep pointing out that we are going to lose games in the sunbelt, won't win the conference and won't be dancing at the end of the year, but claim we have the talent to do so. Let's see what happens. The team from LaTech shows up for conference and we don't lose a game.

Do you think we played at or above our talent level against L Tech?

[duggie85]

Only Troy and South Al have lower RPIs than us. Now that's something to brag about, or defend the coach for our great schedule which he can't even win.

I think we can both agree that we're beginning to beat a dead horse here. I'll finish with this and you can respond however you'd like:

I'm not saying Marlin is the coach to take us to the next level. What I am saying is that you can not get rid of a coach whose less than 1/2 of a season removed from 20+ wins and being an NCAA Tournament participant.

[cajun4life]

I think we can both agree that we're beginning to beat a dead horse here. I'll finish with this and you can respond however you'd like:

I'm not saying Marlin is the coach to take us to the next level. What I am saying is that you can not get rid of a coach whose less than 1/2 of a season removed from 20+ wins and being an NCAA Tournament participant.

I am saying is that Marlin definitely is not the coach to get us over the top. I agree that he won't be fired, he will probably coach here for another 8 years and that to me is unacceptable. A contract extension for winning the West is BS, a bonus is deserved but an extension should be rewarded for seasons like last year where we accomplished something. Winning a division in an RPI league of 20 plus is not good enough imo.

[duggie85]

I am saying is that Marlin definitely is not the coach to get us over the top. I agree that he won't be fired, he will probably coach here for another 8 years and that to me is unacceptable. A contract extension for winning the West is BS, a bonus is deserved but an extension should be rewarded for seasons like last year where we accomplished something. Winning a division in an RPI league of 20 plus is not good enough imo.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[CajunRage]

Only Troy and South Al have lower RPIs than us. Now that's something to brag about, or defend the coach for our great schedule which he can't even win.

RPI means jack ____ this early in the season. Let me point some out for you:

Grambling 0-8 RPI 234
Montana 2-6 RPI 206
Niagra 1-7 RPI 175
UNO 1-5 RPI 149
LBSU 4-8 RPI 52

All of those are RPI's ahead of us. Do you not think we are better than at least 3 of those teams? I'd say we would beat all but maybe Long Beach State.

To add, we go thru it every year with softball and baseball. The RPI formula weighs who you play more than how you play. Florida baseball lost 23 games last year and finished with an RPI of 7, .001 behind us with 10 losses.

[cajun4life]

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

I'm stuck at work with crap weather so I can't fly.....it's been a miserable week. But merry Xmas to you as well.

[epiccajun]

RPI means jack ____ this early in the season. Let me point some out for you:

Grambling 0-8 RPI 234
Montana 2-6 RPI 206
Niagra 1-7 RPI 175
UNO 1-5 RPI 149
LBSU 4-8 RPI 52

All of those are RPI's ahead of us. Do you not think we are better than at least 3 of those teams? I'd say we would beat all but maybe Long Beach State.

To add, we go thru it every year with softball and baseball. The RPI formula weighs who you play more than how you play. Florida baseball lost 23 games last year and finished with an RPI of 7, .001 behind us with 10 losses.

This - exactly - anybody who is really concerned about RPI 10 games into the season is an idiot!

[cajun4life]

RPI means jack ____ this early in the season. Let me point some out for you:

Grambling 0-8 RPI 234
Montana 2-6 RPI 206
Niagra 1-7 RPI 175
UNO 1-5 RPI 149
LBSU 4-8 RPI 52

All of those are RPI's ahead of us. Do you not think we are better than at least 3 of those teams? I'd say we would beat all but maybe Long Beach State.

To add, we go thru it every year with softball and baseball. The RPI formula weighs who you play more than how you play. Florida baseball lost 23 games last year and finished with an RPI of 7, .001 behind us with 10 losses.

Yeah well I trust a Lotief and Robicheaux led team to bring it day in and day out. Not so much with Marlin and basketball.

Dismiss RPI all you want, but it does matter. We need a top 50 RPI for any chance at an at large bid.

I expect us to be like St Mary's, Gonzaga, Butler or any other mid major program that wins. Please don't tell me that is unrealistic. If you feel that way then we have dropped our expectations to a level that is depressing.

[cajun4life]

This - exactly - anybody who is really concerned about RPI 10 games into the season is an idiot!

Wrong, the Sun Belt ain't helping our RPI one bit, so the first 15 games of the year are critical.

[Cajunsmike]

The question about Marlin was not player development or X and O coaching, it was recruiting when he came in. I think most fans prior to Marlin were tired of coaches who didn't seem to be able to execute a game plan in a game. Evans and Lee could recruit but they sometimes seemed lost on the court. Marlin was supposed to be the polar opposite of these two guys. A tactical guy who knew the game and was known for getting the most out of the players he had.

This year, he finally has been able to get what most agree is some serious talent into this program but we are losing some games that we should be winning. I like the hire and I think most here did as well. I'm just wondering, as bad as these losses are, if this basketball team will in some ways mirror this year's football team. Look bad and misfire at the beginning of the season but catch fire when it matters?

I hope you are right about catching fire when it matters most. However the road problems the team has me concerned if that occur. To win on the road you have to be mentally tough and that requires team leadership. I do not think any one guy has developed into that role. JJ Davenport spoke for the team in pre season functions however his injury is preventing him from playing. If you are not on the court, you cannot lead. I also think Kasey Shepherd can develop into a leader but he has been somewhat inconsistent to date. Shawn Long has lots of talent but he lets his emotions get the best of him at times. He also does not have the personality to be a leader. He also needs to play smarter with fouls. Difference between Northwestern game and Tech game was foul calls in the 2nd half. Against Tech, he played great in the 2nd half after sitting out most of the first half. Saturday, he only played seventeen minutes because of foul calls early in both halves. We had no one to protect the rim as a result and the quick guy named West got into the lane and made things happen as a result. Washington is a fundamentally sound player for a freshman but people score too easily on him inside. Of course better defensive guard play would also help. Bottom line is that until they show they can win on the road they will not reach their potential despite talent. Road victories require more than talent.

[CajunRage]

Wrong, the Sun Belt ain't helping our RPI one bit, so the first 15 games of the year are critical.

You're missing the point. The early games matter to RPI. The RPI formula this early in the season is not a good indicator of where teams are at this point.