Congratulations to Men's Basketball for a winning D1 season

[Cajunsmike]

As I run back the tapes on the numerous comments made over the past few years regarding our men's basketball program, I find that both positions on the extreme end of opinion make some valid points. The only thing I question is why we insult our program when they're winning - and still have a chance at postseason play. I understand everyone's opinions.

I don't think Mike intended to push the program's critics into making sure we all know the limits of how excited we should be. He didn't crown the program. He used certain facts to look at the accomplishments as of late - after all, the players and coaches cannot change the past or who we schedule in basketball - and gave an applause for that effort. And the fact that our team improved in the latter stages of the season - even given that winning the conference is the only big payoff - they are building up to that possibility - and we should all be wanting winning to continue.

That said, I think if I were on the more critical side of Marlin and this program... I wouldn't even comment right now.

Just1More is right in that I did not mean to indicate what the team did this year was some type of great accomplishment. I simply congratulated them for a winning year. It is the first time since 2004 and 2005 two of those happen consecutively. I am one who doubted they could do it. I told plenty of folks they would finish about 0.500 around a month ago as that is what they were for 2 1/2 months. Sticking together and turning it around when people doubt you after things do not go your way is very difficult to do at times. I think they deserve credit for that and I am happy to admit I was wrong. Note, I never said I would stop supporting them or going to games however. After going to over 500 Cajun basketball games in my life, the slump we were in earlier is not the first I experienced and I knew they would eventually get out of it. I just did not expect it this season.

I also pointed out the way they turned it around was to come together defensively. They have gone from poor in that regard to one of the best in the league in a matter of weeks. Perhaps tying in to that is the fact the lineup was changed to include two freshman and a previously little used sophomore as starters. Those guys were probably not seasoned enough to carry the load earlier. The point guard may have been starting earlier but he was very inconsistent. As the end of sophomore year and his first in D1 came about, it appears things clicked for him. Next weekend will be interesting for the young guys as the intensity level goes to a degree they have not faced yet. I did not mention the staff other than to congratulate them on helping the guys turn it around as their future was never in doubt. Once again, this is a case in where I am very glad to say I was wrong. I hope to continue to eat that crow next weekend.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Just1More is right in that I did not mean to indicate what the team did this year was some type of great accomplishment. I simply congratulated them for a winning year. It is the first time since 2004 and 2005 two of those happen consecutively. I am one who doubted they could do it. I told plenty of folks they would finish about 0.500 around a month ago as that is what they were for 2 1/2 months. Sticking together and turning it around when people doubt you after things do not go your way is very difficult to do at times. I think they deserve credit for that and I am happy to admit I was wrong. Note, I never said I would stop supporting them or going to games however. After going to over 500 Cajun basketball games in my life, the slump we were in earlier is not the first I experienced and I knew they would eventually get out of it. I just did not expect it this season.

I also pointed out that a way they turned it around is to come together defensively. They have gone from poor in that regard to one of the best in the league in a matter of weeks. Perhaps tying in to that is the fact they lineup was changed to include two freshman and a previously little used sophomore as starters. Those guys were probably not seasoned enough to carry the load earlier. The point guard may have been starting earlier but he was very inconsistent. As the end of sophomore year and his first in D1 came about, it appears things clicked for him. Next weekend will be interesting for the young guys as the intensity level goes to a degree they have not faced yet. I did not mention the staff other than to congratulate them on helping the guys turn it around as their future was never in doubt. Once again, this is a case in where I am very glad to say I was wrong. I hope to continue to eat that crow next weekend.

Your post was indeed fine, guardedly optimistic and grounded in reality.

[Zeebart21]

Just1More is right in that I did not mean to indicate what the team did this year was some type of great accomplishment. I simply congratulated them for a winning year. It is the first time since 2004 and 2005 two of those happen consecutively. I am one who doubted they could do it. I told plenty of folks they would finish about 0.500 around a month ago as that is what they were for 2 1/2 months. Sticking together and turning it around when people doubt you after things do not go your way is very difficult to do at times. I think they deserve credit for that and I am happy to admit I was wrong. Note, I never said I would stop supporting them or going to games however. After going to over 500 Cajun basketball games in my life, the slump we were in earlier is not the first I experienced and I knew they would eventually get out of it. I just did not expect it this season.

I also pointed out the way they turned it around was to come together defensively. They have gone from poor in that regard to one of the best in the league in a matter of weeks. Perhaps tying in to that is the fact the lineup was changed to include two freshman and a previously little used sophomore as starters. Those guys were probably not seasoned enough to carry the load earlier. The point guard may have been starting earlier but he was very inconsistent. As the end of sophomore year and his first in D1 came about, it appears things clicked for him. Next weekend will be interesting for the young guys as the intensity level goes to a degree they have not faced yet. I did not mention the staff other than to congratulate them on helping the guys turn it around as their future was never in doubt. Once again, this is a case in where I am very glad to say I was wrong. I hope to continue to eat that crow next weekend.

Right on, Mike!

Z

[zephyr]

Winning is better than losing. Glad baseball is here.

Z

Not me

[zephyr]

Just1More is right in that I did not mean to indicate what the team did this year was some type of great accomplishment. I simply congratulated them for a winning year. It is the first time since 2004 and 2005 two of those happen consecutively. I am one who doubted they could do it. I told plenty of folks they would finish about 0.500 around a month ago as that is what they were for 2 1/2 months. Sticking together and turning it around when people doubt you after things do not go your way is very difficult to do at times. I think they deserve credit for that and I am happy to admit I was wrong. Note, I never said I would stop supporting them or going to games however. After going to over 500 Cajun basketball games in my life, the slump we were in earlier is not the first I experienced and I knew they would eventually get out of it. I just did not expect it this season.

I also pointed out the way they turned it around was to come together defensively. They have gone from poor in that regard to one of the best in the league in a matter of weeks. Perhaps tying in to that is the fact the lineup was changed to include two freshman and a previously little used sophomore as starters. Those guys were probably not seasoned enough to carry the load earlier. The point guard may have been starting earlier but he was very inconsistent. As the end of sophomore year and his first in D1 came about, it appears things clicked for him. Next weekend will be interesting for the young guys as the intensity level goes to a degree they have not faced yet. I did not mention the staff other than to congratulate them on helping the guys turn it around as their future was never in doubt. Once again, this is a case in where I am very glad to say I was wrong. I hope to continue to eat that crow next weekend.

Damn right. I hope we are all eating crow and drinking with Farmer at Corner Bar when we hit the tourney....again. I may even buy him a beer.

[Ragin4U]

Peaking at the right time. As much as I dislike Register's defensive weaknesses I think he has been one of the reasons for the current success. Opposing D has to pick him up about half-court!! Jay Wright's play has been outstanding as well and as has been pointed out the team is playing better defense overall.
I like our chance this weekend. Wouldnt it be great to get ULM in the final?

[cajun4life]

You can try to discount back to back twenty win seasons all you want. They are still back to back twenty win seasons.

Your point is real. Ga. St. isn't going anywhere unless they win the tournament. And, in this league, 26-5 will get you to the same place it will in CUSA....the NIT IF you've won the regular season championship.

Therefore let's just win these three so the sourpusses can discount back to back NCAA appearances.

And they will.

Jay you can be condescending all you want, but there are high school teams in this country that can beat the non D1 programs we have played.

Back to back NCAA trips is a great accomplishment, no one would take that away from anyone.

You also would have a very hard time convincing many people that if this team had played consistently good all season like good teams do. We would be at worst 24-8.

[cajunfan337]

Jay you can be condescending all you want, but there are high school teams in this country that can beat the non D1 programs we have played.

Back to back NCAA trips is a great accomplishment, no one would take that away from anyone.

You also would have a very hard time convincing many people that if this team had played consistently good all season like good teams do. We would be at worst 24-8.

Don't think he's condescending, I think he's pretty spot on. I think we need to get past the "If we just would've won those few games, we'd be in a much better position."

The problem is, being in the SBC or CUSA, no matter if you go 25-5, 20-10, or 15-15, it's all about winning the conference tournament. It's been this way for the past however many years now and it's not going to change. Lower RPI leagues are only going to get 1-bid for the foreseeable future. There's nothing we can change about that. All we can do is position ourselves to do well in the conf tourney. And whether we end up in the NCAA or NIT or CIT, as long as we make it to a postseason tourney, we are good. Ask Northern Iowa how that model is working out for them right now.

[Rebel02]

Jay you can be condescending all you want, but there are high school teams in this country that can beat the non D1 programs we have played.

Back to back NCAA trips is a great accomplishment, no one would take that away from anyone.

You also would have a very hard time convincing many people that if this team had played consistently good all season like good teams do. We would be at worst 24-8.

We could be 24-8, but still be in the same situation as we are in right now, which is winning 3 games in a weekend to get an NCAA invite.

[cajunhawk]

We could be 24-8, but still be in the same situation as we are in right now, which is winning 3 games in a weekend to get an NCAA invite.

Tech is in the same situation. They have to win out to get in.

[CrazyCajun]

For e everyone who keeps saying it doesnt matter if we go 25-5 or 15-15, do you think you are gonna be able to recruit and sign the same kids going 15-15 as 25-5? Kids want to win, they want championships. They don't wanna hear it's the conference tourney that matters. They want to play for a good team. The record matters.

[CajunEXPRESS]

And your seeding matters assuming you could get into the tournament at 15-15 hello Kentucky, hello embarrassing performance.