UL vs TAMCC

[CajunFan3406]

We actually shot pretty well in the 2nd half against Little Rock. Poor first half did us in. Turnovers the entire game were also an issue there. Physical Little Rock guards contributed to that.

Yes I realize that. But as a whole, I think their shooting was a bit average in that game. Just as a whole. I thought guard play was good in both this game and the game vs. SouthAl. GaSo wasn't too bad either. Little Rock's defense was definitely a factor in that game. Worst thing about the Little Rock game was there were too many uncontested turnovers. Those are maddening.

[Parrott]

Shepherd, Wright, and Wronkowski all started making threes after making their first basket inside. Often times you only need to see the ball go in to get you going. Virtually all of the perimeter shots taken were nice clean looks. Good jobs by the big guys in making nice passes from the in and out half court game. Also, good job by all in looking up court for open guys in the transition game. I personally did not think our opponent was as poor as some thing. No way you win 25 games and play Wisconsin to the wire without some talent. Having their best player in foul trouble and eventually foul out hampered them. They simply caught us on a night when our outside shots were falling. When that happens, we can be formidable. Unfortunately, we were very inconsistent in that regard this season. As far as a shooting coach goes, last year we led our league in three point shooting. This year we were last. Same guys generally firing them up in both years. That is something I cannot explain. My only guess is that it became mental after a couple of rough outings. Maybe that is behind them here at the end. Kasey Shepherd is playing at a high level now. Recall he got us back in the game in the second half against Little Rock.

Caught some of the game last night (would have watched more but had problems with live feed). TAMUCC looked nothing like the team I saw in-person against Sam Houston State in the Southland tournament semifinals. Having F Rashawn Thomas in foul trouble hurt them. PG Hameed Ali (2-for-10 FGs, 5 points) also had a down game. Ali had only five points against Stephen F. Austin in the SLC tourney final after having 18 points and the winning 3 against Sam Houston State in the semis and 29 points at ACU to close the regular season.

The Cajuns had only seven turnovers against a team that ranked among the national steals leaders, hit 11 of 24 3-pointers and finished with a plus-nine rebounding margin. Kasey Shepherd was huge (28 points, 6-12 3s). Shawn Long (17 points/10 rebounds), Bryce Washington (17 points) and Steven Wronkoski (11 points) played well and Jay Wright (11 points, 4 assists, 0 turnovers) was a big factor. Wright's 10 straight points in the first half turned the game around. TAMUCC went 25-8 this season. Don't think the Islanders were overrated, but the Cajuns just played really well. I believe playing so many guard-oriented teams in the SLC also made it tough for TAMUCC to handle a quality big like Long.

Now the Cajuns play 1 p.m. CT Saturday at 19-15 Furman, which rallied from 10 down in the final two minutes to beat ULM in the CIT's opening round on a buzzer-beater. The Paladins have the 2016 SoCon player of the year in senior guard Stephen Croone (16.7 ppg). They're 14-1 at home this season (only home loss was after struggling to hit shots against Gardner-Webb's zone). Back on Nov. 26, they lost to TAMUCC in the Battle 4 Atlantis on the Elon campus. In January they beat eventual SoCon regular season and conference tourney champ Chattanooga.

Daniel Fowler (@LivingLegend_35) lifts @FurmanHoops past ULM in CIT after trailing by 10 with 2 mins left. https://t.co/pKnEyAWiwP

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 16, 2016

[Ragin4U]

Your memory is short. The Cajuns led the league in 3-pt percentage just last year.

And, I remember a kid named Mbamalu who couldn't shoot it a lick when he got here. He turned out pretty good.

That doesn't fit the narrative.

[Cajunsmike]

If they were, they would not have red-shirted.

I believe we have a defensive specialist [Bartley] and a slasher [Davis]. Not sure about who else we have in the wings.

VO is right about Bartley and Davis. Although Davis is supposedly a better shooter than Stove. Another redshirt, Evans from the Shreveport area will be our backup point guard and perimeter shooting is a strength of his. They likely sign three guys in spring. One will likely be a JUCO inside guy and the other two will be guards of some type.

[Ragin4U]

From what I've seen, we need a big guy or two to complement Bryce. I am hoping that Scotty comes along but man, from what I have seen so far, he has a long way to go.

[lcitsh]

Estimate, less than 1,000.

1,205

[Parrott]

VO is right about Bartley and Davis. Although Davis is supposedly a better shooter than Stove. Another redshirt, Evans from the Shreveport area will be our backup point guard and perimeter shooting is a strength of his. They likely sign three guys in spring. One will likely be a JUCO inside guy and the other two will be guards of some type.

As I was expecting, the Cajuns just picked up a 2016 pledge. Just posted some info about him.

6-7 '16 F Justin Miller (@prollynot__) of @22ft_Academy commits to @Cajunbasketball.

All-state/17 ppg/9 rpg last yr at Owensboro HS (KY).

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

.@Cajunbasketball-bound '16 F Justin Miller recently visited Cajuns.

13 pts in @22ft_Academy's November win over then-#3 Oak Hill Academy.

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

.@Cajunbasketball-bound '16 F Justin Miller was KY state tourney MVP as SR at Owensboro + @KyWesleyan signee before landing at @22ft_Academy

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

[UL_BayouCajun]

As I was expecting, the Cajuns just picked up a 2016 pledge. Just posted some info about him.

6-7 '16 F Justin Miller (@prollynot__) of @22ft_Academy commits to @Cajunbasketball.

All-state/17 ppg/9 rpg last yr at Owensboro HS (KY).

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

.@Cajunbasketball-bound '16 F Justin Miller recently visited Cajuns.

13 pts in @22ft_Academy's November win over then-#3 Oak Hill Academy.

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

.@Cajunbasketball-bound '16 F Justin Miller was KY state tourney MVP as SR at Owensboro + @KyWesleyan signee before landing at @22ft_Academy

— Joshua E Parrott (@JoshuaParrott) March 17, 2016

Huge pick up

[VObserver]

Huge pick up

If he can step in to a supporting role for Bryce like Bryce did for Shawn, we will be fine inside. Not as good as Shawn and Bryce, but still better than any other frontcourt in the Conference, especially if Scotty develops as well.

Editing this to add that I just watched video on him from HS. He does not handle the ball as well as Bryce, but otherwise reminds me of him. Positions himself well for rebounds, is a good passer, plays below the rim, but is very smooth, with good feet. He has lost about 50 lb since HS, so I expect he will be more athletic and probably stronger than he was as MVP of the Kentucky state Championship game as a Senior in HS.

[Just1More]

That doesn't fit the narrative.

That's what she said.

[Cajunfanatico]

I've never heard it called that.

[Just1More]

I've never heard it called that.

This doesn't have anything to do with calling "it"..."narrative"... but I literally know 1000 jokes and fire them off for hours. One thing I learned a long time ago was to use a cute name for "it" when telling some of my raunchy (but hilarious) jokes around the ladies. I've got good pet names for "it"... and you can tell the dirtiest joke on the planet to church ladies as long as you use funny pet names. What I get is "what did you call it?"... and my pet names crack them up more than the joke itself.