Minus Long makes it tough, but Cajuns win

[NewsCopy]

The Louisiana men's basketball team survived a rough, self-imposed 22-minute stretch without its star player and remained undefeated at home with a 79-69 win against UNO on Monday night in the Cajundome.

Senior forward Shawn Long did...

The rest of the story
THE Advocate

[Cajunsmike]

The Louisiana men's basketball team survived a rough, self-imposed 22-minute stretch without its star player and remained undefeated at home with a 79-69 win against UNO on Monday night in the Cajundome.

Senior forward Shawn Long did...

The rest of the story
THE Advocate

No doubt this game was ugly at times. Like in everything else, there are good and bad things to an event. We all know the bad things included Shawn Long not playing early for a reason I still do not understand, poor perimeter shooting in the first half (guys were open but not confident in their shot-road struggles carry over to home there), poor free throw shooting, and very poor decision making in some transition opportunities. However, there were some positives. Those include the scoring by Stove and the rebounding by Washington. In fact, the effort on the glass by the whole team needs to be applauded. Main positives however were the defensive play in the last five minutes. We actually saw the team communicate with each other on when they needed to switch and trap. Hopefully the fact that Register hit two big threes late is a sign he may be about to snap out of his slump. I know he has gotten hot for short periods in other games. However, I think this is the first time in his career that he has hit big shots late with the game on the line. Going forward the key may be playing defense consistently like they did in the last five minutes. Having Washington getting healthier may allow that to happen. Sorry to be long winded but I just wanted to provide some balance. There were a lot of negatives last night but the positives need to be recognized as well.

[Boomer]

No doubt this game was ugly at times. Like in everything else, there are good and bad things to an event. We all know the bad things included Shawn Long not playing early for a reason I still do not understand, poor perimeter shooting in the first half (guys were open but not confident in their shot-road struggles carry over to home there), poor free throw shooting, and very poor decision making in some transition opportunities. However, there were some positives. Those include the scoring by Stove and the rebounding by Washington. In fact, the effort on the glass by the whole team needs to be applauded. Main positives however were the defensive play in the last five minutes. We actually saw the team communicate with each other on when they needed to switch and trap. Hopefully the fact that Register hit two big threes late is a sign he may be about to snap out of his slump. I know he has gotten hot for short periods in other games. However, I think this is the first time in his career that he has hit big shots late with the game on the line. Going forward the key may be playing defense consistently like they did in the last five minutes. Having Washington getting healthier may allow that to happen. Sorry to be long winded but I just wanted to provide some balance. There were a lot of negatives last night but the positives need to be recognized as well.

---Thought that Long did a great job on top picks of switching---and for a while I thought that Bo Mac was in uniform for them again (their lil guard wasn't bad)---Sure wish Plaisance could step up to spot play----Anybody play the "Word Jumble" game by the crossword Puzzle??? the answer for yesterday was "Buck an Ear"---Till the end I was worried about this omen!!!

[scotto_25]

I loved the signing of Register a few years ago. But after watching him in a Cajun uniform he is a huge liability to our team. He can single-handedly shoot us out of a game. This will happen 90+% of the time, compared to him shooting us back into a game. He seems to be extremely out of rhythm and shoots at the most inopportune times (2 on 1 fast break, three pointer goes up while he's still drifting from running in transition).

His shot selection is poor and his defense is even worse.

He would be a great player for a smaller school where he could log plenty of minutes and be relied upon as a top scoring threat. Here, on the other hand, he's relied upon to be a "spark" and he knows that. If he misses a shot or two then he's doomed and you typically see a run for the opposition.

I hope we can figure out a better role for him....

FYI - Our 3 point shooting as a whole has been disgusting to watch. I am a disappointed season ticket holder who may be releasing some of his tickets back to the public next year with the way our future team seems to be trending.

[scotto_25]

Disclaimer:

I know not renewing tickets doesn't help the programs and it seems to be fairweather, but when is enough, enough? I've continued to buy plenty of extra tickets to Football, Basketball, and Baseball each year and pricing continues to go up but the product seems to either decline or stay stagnant?? With, of course, the exception to Baseball.

Maybe I can shift some tickets over to Softball

[BeauCajun]

Disclaimer:

I know not renewing tickets doesn't help the programs and it seems to be fairweather, but when is enough, enough? I've continued to buy plenty of extra tickets to Football, Basketball, and Baseball each year and pricing continues to go up but the product seems to either decline or stay stagnant?? With, of course, the exception to Baseball.

Maybe I can shift some tickets over to Softball

We would appreciate your support.

I've kept all of my tickets but have decided to redirect my discretionary contributions to those programs who really need the funding(softball,baseball, T&F & women's BB).

[ManAboutTown]

No doubt this game was ugly at times. Like in everything else, there are good and bad things to an event. We all know the bad things included Shawn Long not playing early for a reason I still do not understand, poor perimeter shooting in the first half (guys were open but not confident in their shot-road struggles carry over to home there), poor free throw shooting, and very poor decision making in some transition opportunities. However, there were some positives. Those include the scoring by Stove and the rebounding by Washington. In fact, the effort on the glass by the whole team needs to be applauded. Main positives however were the defensive play in the last five minutes. We actually saw the team communicate with each other on when they needed to switch and trap. Hopefully the fact that Register hit two big threes late is a sign he may be about to snap out of his slump. I know he has gotten hot for short periods in other games. However, I think this is the first time in his career that he has hit big shots late with the game on the line. Going forward the key may be playing defense consistently like they did in the last five minutes. Having Washington getting healthier may allow that to happen. Sorry to be long winded but I just wanted to provide some balance. There were a lot of negatives last night but the positives need to be recognized as well.

Mike, great post. Always like reading your perspective on basketball.
On a more pessimistic note: I can't remember the last time I "fun" watching our basketball team play the game. When I'm in the dome, it's more for socializing than anything else. We've been playing this ugly brand of basketball for a long time now. When I was in school, going to the games was the highlight of our week. The games were fun. The team was fun to follow.

I publicly supported Marlin, even as recently as last year when many were calling for his head. I figured I'd give him the Payton - Long eras before I gave up on the guy. Well, I'm sorry to say, he's just not getting the job done.

[Cajunsmike]

Ugly basketball occurs when your team struggles to make shots. That was the case last night. That situation causes people to overlook good things like effort on the glass. Our guys played hard last night but not well for too many stretches. We definitely need some guys to step up in that regard or to bring in guys that can do so. Lots of folks are worried about replacing Long next year. I understand that view but it may be more important to find a way to improve our perimeter play as teams are often able to take a big man out of the game.

[CajunRed]

The ugliest thing about last night's game was that fans like myself...who have been attending games for 50-60 years...we're not motivated enough to go watch us play another such opponent. We're what...2 and 6 against D1 programs? And then to struggle against a program trying to restart itself? That's what's ugly.

I'll attend the first couple of conference games...then I'll decide if it's worth it to attend more. Then next year, I'll decide if I'll renew my tickets that I've had since 1976.

[Boomer]

Mike, great post. Always like reading your perspective on basketball.
On a more pessimistic note: I can't remember the last time I "fun" watching our basketball team play the game. When I'm in the dome, it's more for socializing than anything else. We've been playing this ugly brand of basketball for a long time now. When I was in school, going to the games was the highlight of our week. The games were fun. The team was fun to follow.

I publicly supported Marlin, even as recently as last year when many were calling for his head. I figured I'd give him the Payton - Long eras before I gave up on the guy. Well, I'm sorry to say, he's just not getting the job done.

---YOu guys need to come and sit with our group-----I analyze each trip up and down court---Brock Meaux, his daddy, Mel-Rock and others try and get close to me to hear my expert reporting (LOL)----Well maybe not quite that close---but it would be fun to hear other views!!!Visited with one of my favorite ladies last night at the game--- Scotty Ps mom who is the head coach at Nicholls St---She was at Loyola and Coached my daughter and said they had Tech almost this year (lost by 3)----My wife and I looked like midgets next to her and her 6"4" WNBA daughter---After the game Scotty was walking across the floor and towered over her!!! think he is the 6'10" they say!!!

[BeauCajun]

---YOu guys need to come and sit with our group-----I analyze each trip up and down court---Brock Meaux, his daddy, Mel-Rock and others try and get close to me to hear my expert reporting (LOL)----Well maybe not quite that close---but it would be fun to hear other views!!!Visited with one of my favorite ladies last night at the game--- Scotty Ps mom who is the head coach at Nicholls St---!!!

Some of us from a short distance away.

I figured that was her(Doobie). She walked into the dome right behind me. Heck even taller than me.

Merry Christmas to you and Terri, Boomer.

[Boomer]

Some of us from a short distance away.

I figured that was her(Doobie). She walked into the dome right behind me. Heck even taller than me.

Merry Christmas to you and Terri, Boomer.

---Thanks Beau and back at ya---Yea Dobbie and her daughter Theresa are high on up!!!-She had an ankle problem but is going to play Europe and the WNBA!!!