SBC Tourney: Cajuns vs Lil Rock

[Parrott]

I remember Hagins, really good player we missed on. His roster is versatile and he has a number of athletes that can shoot well. No doubt they bought into his system.

If I remember correctly, ex-Cajuns coach Robert Lee helped recruit Josh Hagins to Little Rock out of Airline High in Bossier City, La. Hagins and forward Roger Woods (also an all-conference pick) are seniors, as is part-time starter Jermaine Ruttley. But the rest of the Trojans should be back and they have transfers from Florida State and Mississippi State set to be eligible after sitting out this season. So Little Rock should be good again next season.

[Parrott]

I have often said it is easier to start a team from scratch than rebuild through normal attrition.

How does having 10 openings not affect APR in some manner?

They had four guys graduate and four others leave with eligibility, but you don't lose APR points if they transfer to another four-year school and leave with at least a 2.6 GPA.

[Turbine]

They had four guys graduate and four others leave with eligibility, but you don't lose APR points if they transfer to another four-year school and leave with at least a 2.6 GPA.

Thanks.

Seems like he was able to clean house in year one.

No baggage.

[Ragin4U]

Never understood the fascination with Washington. Seems like a nice young man. Saw him in the Sunkist Shootout and was not even in the top 3 players on the floor in high school. Good passer. Can't shoot it from 3. Can't take anyone off the dribble. Did nothing today in probably 30 minutes played if not more.

So much wrong in this post

[CajunRed]

I didn't realize that a power forward was expected to make 3s. As far as scoring off the dribble, he didn't do it a ton this year because that's not what he was asked to do...but when needed, I saw him do it several times. More importantly, he rebounded...got a ton of put backs...and helped keep teams from totally selling out to stop Shawn.

[ManAboutTown]

I didn't realize that a power forward was expected to make 3s. As far as scoring off the dribble, he didn't do it a ton this year because that's not what he was asked to do...but when needed, I saw him do it several times. More importantly, he rebounded...got a ton of put backs...and helped keep teams from totally selling out to stop Shawn.

He was a machine this year productivity wise, and could have probably been better utilized, had our guards played their roles. Scary thought.

[Drexelallenfan]

I didn't realize that a power forward was expected to make 3s. As far as scoring off the dribble, he didn't do it a ton this year because that's not what he was asked to do...but when needed, I saw him do it several times. More importantly, he rebounded...got a ton of put backs...and helped keep teams from totally selling out to stop Shawn.

Then don't play him at the top of the key all game.

[duggie85]

I can only think he was playing outside to lure their 4 man out the paint and open up the lane more for Shawn. But they would have to respect his outside shot to succeed.

[Drexelallenfan]

I can only think he was playing outside to lure their 4 man out the paint and open up the lane more for Shawn. But they would have to respect his outside shot to succeed.

Agreed. That was obviously the game plan to isolate Shawn one on one on the blocks. They cleared everyone else out. Needed someone who could hit the outside shot at the top of the key.

[CajunRed]

...btw...we had 3 point shooters who couldn't make 3 point shots. I sure as hell didn't look to Washington to make any.

[VObserver]

And Washington still got 10 rebounds, 7 offensively.

[zephyr]

I found the Little Rock team to be similar to us in a certain way. They have 1 very good player, and 2 other solid pieces.

But with a coach that stresses and teaches taking care of the ball, making free throws, and spacing the floor, they beat us 3 times. They beat us by playing fundamental, basic basketball, and making few mistakes.

There are several things they do that make them better than us but I'll mention 2. One, they play great pressure defense. They play in the mold of someone like a Duke where they extend out and pressure man to man while playing good help side defense. This makes even good offensive players feel uneasy and press when they shouldn't.

Two, they take care of the ball. They move the ball around and get consistent production from quite a few guys on the court because they play smart. The big guy had around 10 points and they were a product of our defense being broken down with penetration and the guard making great passes so he could finish.

It was clear to me that they were the better team. This was the first time I saw them play all year but I can see how they were so consistent all year. It doesn't hurt to have a guy like Hagins who you can go to when you need a bucket but they are a team with chemistry. Good luck to them moving forward although they have a really tough matchup with Iowa State.