CIT Quarterfinals: Evansville vs. Louisiana

[IberiaCajun]

This killed us... I like the kid and he has all the potential in the world but the biggest thing Wright needs to work on in the offseason is self control and knowing the situation. At times he seems totally unaware of the situation, really good players understand momentum and know when you cannot have a brain shart. You have been trailing almost the whole game and you have a chance to tie...a 50 foot cross court pass should never enter your mind unless shawn long is snow birdin under the goal.

+1
Our guard play needs to improve.

[IberiaCajun]

Good call. To take it further, the two teams were polar opposite of each other. One team was comprised of players relying on their athleticism to overcome their lack of basketball skills. The other team was comprised of basketball players with the skill set to pass, block out and shoot the ball effectively. The difference was obvious throughout the entire game. Not once did Evansville play out of control. It was a fun game to watch. It was also good to see a pure shooter on the floor. This time the team with the basketball skills beat the athletes.

That's why I am glad we participated in this tournament. We had the chance to see a sound basketball team schooled and proficient in the fundamentals. Fun to watch, despite the outcome.

[CajunProud]

Good call. To take it further, the two teams were polar opposite of each other. One team was comprised of players relying on their athleticism to overcome their lack of basketball skills. The other team was comprised of basketball players with the skill set to pass, block out and shoot the ball effectively. The difference was obvious throughout the entire game. Not once did Evansville play out of control. It was a fun game to watch. It was also good to see a pure shooter on the floor. This time the team with the basketball skills beat the athletes.

I agree 100%. In my opinion, your assessment directly relates to my criticism of Marlin. What we saw from Evansville, in my opinion, is a result of excellent coaching. When Marlin was hired, I thought we would see more fundamental basketball instead of the "playground" type of basketball we saw under Evans and Lee; however, we have not. If Marlin can't recruit any better than he has, he will need to be able to "coach up" the team.

[CajunNation]

That was MVC basketball.

Like it?

I do.

We should join that league.

[The Antiwac]

That was MVC basketball.

Like it?

I do.

We should join that league.

One, they don't play football(Que CajunNation for insane comments on football Independence) and two, they have expressed no interest in inviting us. Do you just pull this stuff out of your azz?

[CajunNation]

One, they don't play football(Que CajunNation for insane comments on football Independence) and two, they have expressed no interest in inviting us. Do you just pull this stuff out of your azz?

One, they might want to sponsor FBS one day. All they have to do is invite 8 current FBS schools looking for greener pastures. Or, we go full Darth Vader, but some of us aren't ready for that yet.

Two, we would be in that expansion group, and we would be interested.

No, sometimes I post stuff just to see if you're paying attention. This was not one of those times.

Did you make it to Blackham?

[The Antiwac]

One, they might want to sponsor FBS one day. All they have to do is invite 8 current FBS schools looking for greener pastures. Or, we go full Darth Vader, but some of us aren't ready for that yet.

Two, we would be in that expansion group, and we would be interested.

No, sometimes I post stuff just to see if you're paying attention. This was not one of those times.

Did you make it to Blackham?

But of course. The power school in that conference is Wichita ST. They have no interest in expansion as they do not even sponsor FCS football. A connection I have from my time in Tuscaloosa tells me the UAB is burning up the phone lines for an invite.....

[CajunNation]

But of course. The power school in that conference is Wichita ST. They have no interest in expansion as they do not even sponsor FCS football. A connection I have from my time in Tuscaloosa tells me the UAB is burning up the phone lines for an invite.....

I hear ya.

Sometimes a few of those MVC football playing schools make rumblings about FBS football en masse. A possible scenario would have 6 MVC schools that may or may not include the Shockers start a new league and invite at least 8 FBS schools. A mixture of the best of the MVC, MAC West and SBC West. A Central Time Zone conference that would leap frog the SBC remnants, the MAC remnants, and CUSA.

Don't think a few people haven't toyed with this idea.

[BraveCajun]

They like Plaisance and Hassani Gravett, so we will have to wait to see if they will contribute. Gravett had offers from Murray State, Cleveland State and a few others coming out of high school as the #17 ranked player in Georgia. All indications are that he is a solid mid-major prospect.

HS signee Corey Davis is not eligible yet and doesn't look like he is ready to contribute as a true freshman. JC Signee Tyrone Wooten shot less than 35% from the field this season after shooting over 43% as a freshman at Itawamba. He does not seem to be the shooter they thought he would be thus far in his development. I think that is a fair analysis.

It is also fair to say we had three players that were in the rotation that were either walk-ons or not offered D1 scholarships in Tre Williams and Davenport. Wronskoski is a low major signee and Rimmer played at a SWAC program before transferring to a JC. That is not great talent and all four were in the rotation this season.

The best talent was on the floor together at the end of the season in Washington, Stove, Long, Wright and Register. Walker and Shepard are solid off the bench. But that is not enough talent to elevate this program to the top of the SBC consistently. A good recruiting class with the two redshirts sitting out is needed.

It was my understanding that if C. Davis could get himself academically eligible, that he has the ability to make an impact his freshman year. If it wasn't for his grades, I would wager that he would have received better offers than he currently holds.

I'm pretty high on the Plaisance kid. He is the son of a coach and hopefully he can dominate like his sister did at LSU.

I do agree with everyone about our guard play. It has to improve. It's crazy that Marlin has been able to get skillful big guys but he compliment them with decent guard play. Jay Wright does have a good chance to develop into a good PG.

[CajunT]

It was my understanding that if C. Davis could get himself academically eligible, that he has the ability to make an impact his freshman year. If it wasn't for his grades, I would wager that he would have received better offers than he currently holds.

I'm pretty high on the Plaisance kid. He is the son of a coach and hopefully he can dominate like his sister did at LSU.

I do agree with everyone about our guard play. It has to improve. It's crazy that Marlin has been able to get skillful big guys but he compliment them with decent guard play. Jay Wright does have a good chance to develop into a good PG.

Having seen Davis play this year, I would disagree with your assessment of him. There is always a chance he could become eligible, right now he is not. Plaisance has a chance to develop according to them, I will take their evaluation on him. If you are high on him, its because you have heard the same things. None of us have seen him play this year, because he redshirted. I evaluate talent just like football recruits, offers from similar programs/mid-majors. You sign some athletes as development projects, other to come in right away. Washington, Stove, Wright, Walker, Plaisance all had decent offers.

[Cajunsmike]

We had two good recruits in tonight for the weekend. But what we have signed at this point is okay, but not as good as the group he brought in this year. He needs to recruit better for this program to move forward.

I think the key to improving next season may be how much of a contribution the two guys who redshirted this past season are able to make. We know we recruited fairly well last year. If the two guys mentioned earlier help us, it will end up being a very good class. I agree with CajunT in that in order for the program to consistently challenge for the NCAA or NIT, we need good recruiting classes every year.

[cajunfan337]

Congrats to their Head Coach Charlie Weiss on the win.