Final: Louisiana (83) at UALR (79)

[MelRock]

Mike, BOP or Melrock, you guys know this program probably better than anyone on this board. Do you guys feel like in non-conference games, Marlin rotates players more than he "should" to figure out who gels the best so when conference comes along he knows who plays best together? Never wanted to bring this up in past debates bc I don't want it to come across as an excuse. Losses are losses, just thinking out loud.

It could be, Mike and I talked at halftime and he said (and I agree) that we should rotate in in the first half and go with the hot hand in the 2nd. I wasn't here for his first year, but I can tell you this is the first team that he has had depth on the team.

[Turbine]

We should just drop basketball then, if we can't ever expect to have a consistent winner then what are we doing wasting the money? Drop the program and dump all the money into football. You can't have both so screw it.

Well I think think the advertising value to UL when the school is only .500 in basketball is double the value they could get if same moneys were invested in any other medium outside of sports.

The advertising value to UL when the school is winning is worth much more.

[Turbine]

We MIGHT get invited to the leftovers tournament. Call it what you wish, many still view the NIT to represent Not In Tournament. This 3rd level tournament is akin to trophy and coke mentality.

I refuse to call this tournament by its proper name, won't contribute to an illusion of achievement.

People will forget where they first heard your name or brand, but getting name or brand exposure is crucial before you ever approach them about making a sell.

Whether a prospective student or recruit, you can only hope you don't have to explain your brand the first time you meet.

The golden words are "I've heard of you."

No tournament is valueless.

jmo

[Cajunfever]

Mike, BOP or Melrock, you guys know this program probably better than anyone on this board. Do you guys feel like in non-conference games, Marlin rotates players more than he "should" to figure out who gels the best so when conference comes along he knows who plays best together? Never wanted to bring this up in past debates bc I don't want it to come across as an excuse. Losses are losses, just thinking out loud.

You are correct. The coaching staff is trying to determine who are the best players. Some players are better practice players and some are better playing under the bright lights. This is the same situation that happens in football.

[Cajunsmike]

You are correct. The coaching staff is trying to determine who are the best players. Some players are better practice players and some are better playing under the bright lights. This is the same situation that happens in football.

Also, some guys have trouble handling road pressure while they thrive at home. That even happens in the NBA. For example, Tyreke Evans of the Pelicans would be an All Star if he played only at home. Therefore at times your rotations have to be different away than it is at home. Generally, in college this changes with more time playing together. Too late now to make up for the non conference road losses. Have to win away from home in conference play some in order to have the season we all expected. Of course as the season goes along, opponents get more familiar with each other and there are more road wins throughout the league. We just have to minimize the times it happens to us.