MBB: Louisiana vs UTA

[Hark Mudspeth]

There are several people who post here who would like a change in staff and I don't think that will change unless NIT or NCAA berths are garnered. However, the general basketball people I talk to in town don't really see that as an issue when I visit with them. I bet if you put a poll out for Cajun fans in general with a question as to if the staff should be changed, the answer would be no by a significant margin. Now, I disagree with VO and agree with Hark Mudspeth, the average fan does not care about basketball anymore. I don't think that will change soon due to the fact that is the case almost everywhere in the south these days. We would have to get to the Sweet 16 and back to the tourney the next year for that to change.

I'd rather our current coach fix it than make a change but if you suggest people are being impatient going into year 8...you are sounding like the irrational one.

[Cajunsmike]

MAT, I know our arrangement with the dome is less than satisfactory. I also know that MBB has been required to provide some financial support to WBB. I believe our change in AD has or will correct the latter.

Learned today that basketball gets nothing from concession at games. Goes all to the Dome. I am sure the program would love to get a percentage of those 12 dollar beers. That is the only athletic program here that faces such an issue. Still that is not a reason for some folks not paying attention. Those that still do saw two games in which the good guys fought every second they were on the court. Thursday's game saw a senior led comeback which reminded me of a Bo Lamar type game from the 70's. Yesterday saw a game in which all the Cajuns played at a peak level which was necessary to defeat one of the better teams we have seen in the Dome in the last few years. Learned today UTA's Hervey will declare for the draft and is almost certain to be a first round pick. Those that no longer care about basketball missed out on two outstanding performances in the last few days. Had they been there, they may pay more attention going forward. Still, I understand why a date night is a priority to some. Time with family is always well spent.

[Cajunsmike]

I'd rather our current coach fix it than make a change but if you suggest people are being impatient going into year 8...you are sounding like the irrational one.

I am not saying people are impatient. I think the trend to people not caring started a few years ago and it is throughout the south. My point is that the 20 or so people here that want a change may be a majority of posters here but they are not a majority amongst the general fan base. I don't think people would start caring with a new staff either. This thread has gone away from the initial premise. That is the players deserve to be recognized for the recent turnaround regardless of how people feel about the staff. This was a rebuilding year so the mixed results are not unexpected. In fact, they exceeded expectations from the great majority of us. I think these guys accomplished more than last year's squad and they likely are not as talented as that bunch was. Let's focus on them rather than the staff at this point.

[VObserver]

I am not saying people are impatient. I think the trend to people not caring started a few years ago and it is throughout the south. My point is that the 20 or so people here that want a change may be a majority of posters here but they are not a majority amongst the general fan base. I don't think people would start caring with a new staff either. This thread has gone away from the initial premise. That is the players deserve to be recognized for the recent turnaround regardless of how people feel about the staff. This was a rebuilding year so the mixed results are not unexpected. In fact, they exceeded expectations from the great majority of us. I think these guys accomplished more than last year's squad and they likely are not as talented as that bunch was. Let's focus on them rather than the staff at this point.

Mike, I agree that our players should be our focus, as they are a very hard working group of young men, who have no doubt overachieved. As I have said before, I believe our players are as good as anyone's in our conference not named UTA. I know many of you disagree with that, but it is how I see them.

Many people think they were out-talented and overachieved; I think they had equal talent and overachieved in the sense of overcoming the deficiencies in game planning and in game coaching they were dealt.

[ManAboutTown]

I'd rather our current coach fix it than make a change but if you suggest people are being impatient going into year 8...you are sounding like the irrational one.

FTR, I am not railing against fans that aren't happy and I understand why several want a new coach. I go back and forth.

I get the support for Marlin. Seems like a good man that recruits and graduates top notch individuals (and families). As opposed to a coach that had his own son being arrested for slangin dope.

I get the anti Marlin crowd because, me included, expect our historically quality basketball program to compete at a high level. IMO, we should always be in contention for an SBC championship.

Mike gave a great example of the ____ MBB has to deal with. Also, when it costs 75k to get Stephen F. Austin to come to Lafayette, you can see why scheduling is lack luster. (And oh, btw, they refuse to come and play us as well.)

[California Cajun]

It would be nice if UL could buy the Cajundome and have first dibs at everything including concessions, or build another basketball facility on campus to use for games and practice. I think that will ultimately happen, although probably not in some of our lifetimes.

[Hark Mudspeth]

FTR, I am not railing against fans that aren't happy and I understand why several want a new coach. I go back and forth.

I get the support for Marlin. Seems like a good man that recruits and graduates top notch individuals (and families). As opposed to a coach that had his own son being arrested for slangin dope.

I get the anti Marlin crowd because, me included, expect our historically quality basketball program to compete at a high level. IMO, we should always be in contention for an SBC championship.

Mike gave a great example of the ____ MBB has to deal with. Also, when it costs 75k to get Stephen F. Austin to come to Lafayette, you can see why scheduling is lack luster. (And oh, btw, they refuse to come and play us as well.)

Do our other coaches get the "look what they are up against" ? We are in the f'n sunbelt does that give everyone a pass? Why does Marlin going into year 8 get so much of a pass? Because he isn't as bad as previous coaches? That's insane...going into year 8...we are "hoping" for a "better" season next year once again. The people who rant on here are way too close to the situation to have an unbiased opinion. They take it personal, I can go give this basketball program all I got night in and night out...doesn't make me a great D1 basketball player. HUD's teams haven't quit on him, they play their Azz off..yet he doesn't get a pass... he is held to the fire by expectations he created but Marlin gets do over and do over and pass after pass. Apathy is the worst thing for a program and I'm pretty in tune with a lot of fans...people don't give 2 shts one way or the other right now, I wish it was different but I'm just giving my opinion of where I see things. I don't blame the people who are at every rebounders meeting and function for defending the program but don't tell me they have a clear view of it, they don't...they are extremely biased.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I am not saying people are impatient. I think the trend to people not caring started a few years ago and it is throughout the south. My point is that the 20 or so people here that want a change may be a majority of posters here but they are not a majority amongst the general fan base. I don't think people would start caring with a new staff either. This thread has gone away from the initial premise. That is the players deserve to be recognized for the recent turnaround regardless of how people feel about the staff. This was a rebuilding year so the mixed results are not unexpected. In fact, they exceeded expectations from the great majority of us. I think these guys accomplished more than last year's squad and they likely are not as talented as that bunch was. Let's focus on them rather than the staff at this point.

Mike to repeatedly say basketball is down in the south isn't solution. It's an opportunity to become a basketball oasis. We need to want it if we're going to get it.

I don't want to hear about how underfunded Marlin is until he does a lot more than go to a basketball luncheon. We all know, or should know that the dome gets all concessions.

[CajunT]

Winning 20 is nice. Winning season on road is nice.

And coaching 101...giving the players all the accolades...is great to hear.

I said at the halfway point of the conference schedule I thought this was a .500 team. The team is currently on a six game winning streak and I give the staff and players the credit for the improvement down the stretch. This team simply played harder than UTA last night and has taken on the personality of it's leader Jay Wright! This team is not overly talented, but they have outworked their opponents down the stretch.

[Turbine]

It would be nice if UL could buy the Cajundome and have first dibs at everything including concessions, or build another basketball facility on campus to use for games and practice. I think that will ultimately happen, although probably not in some of our lifetimes.

UL owns the Cajun Dome.

[ManAboutTown]

Do our other coaches get the "look what they are up against" ? We are in the f'n sunbelt does that give everyone a pass? Why does Marlin going into year 8 get so much of a pass? Because he isn't as bad as previous coaches? That's insane...going into year 8...we are "hoping" for a "better" season next year once again. The people who rant on here are way too close to the situation to have an unbiased opinion. They take it personal, I can go give this basketball program all I got night in and night out...doesn't make me a great D1 basketball player. HUD's teams haven't quit on him, they play their Azz off..yet he doesn't get a pass... he is held to the fire by expectations he created but Marlin gets do over and do over and pass after pass. Apathy is the worst thing for a program and I'm pretty in tune with a lot of fans...people don't give 2 shts one way or the other right now, I wish it was different but I'm just giving my opinion of where I see things. I don't blame the people who are at every rebounders meeting and function for defending the program but don't tell me they have a clear view of it, they don't...they are extremely biased.

Biased or informed? I get your point. And btw, I am not one of those people. I am least involved with basketball (for no other reason other then that it's my least favorite sport), but speak to Mike and Mel and others, and I try to keep an open mind about it.

Comparing coaches to each other is something we do way too much around here. Each sport has its own set of challenges. Hud has brought a lot of criticism upon himself and lost favor with fans via his own actions. I don't recall Marlin ever publicly insulting his fan base.

But for the casual fan, brass tax is wins and losses. And I'm fine with that. Blame lays at the feet of the head man; comes with the territory. And here's the deal, if we're going to make a change, they had better nail the hire. Marlin has been average in terms of wins and losses, but he's done everything else right.

[Cajun90]

Biased or informed? I get your point. And btw, I am not one of those people. I am least involved with basketball (for no other reason other then that it's my least favorite sport), but speak to Mike and Mel and others, and I try to keep an open mind about it.

Comparing coaches to each other is something we do way too much around here. Each sport has its own set of challenges. Hud has brought a lot of criticism upon himself and lost favor with fans via his own actions. I don't recall Marlin ever publicly insulting his fan base.

But for the casual fan, brass tax is wins and losses. And I'm fine with that. Blame lays at the feet of the head man; comes with the territory. And here's the deal, if we're going to make a change, they had better nail the hire. Marlin has been average in terms of wins and losses, but he's done everything else right.

MAT I'm in line with you on this issue.

I think we often give coaches too much credit and too much blame. Marlin sets a good tone for our STUDENT athletes. He could do more in regards to fundraising but he is hamstringed unlike other major coaches at UL.

It is not a good situation and I'm not saying he is the answer but I also don't think he is a "problem". I question how much success any coach would have under some of the limitations placed on the program at this stage.

With all that said we are talking large picture. Bring things back down to this season and you have to give them credit up to this point. Job well done.

It will be interested to see what a new AD does but given the huge mountain of college basketball in the deep south and some of our own limitations it would not surprise me to see that this isn't a priority. Baseball and softball are rolling and Football drives the bus so don't be surprised if basketball is the red headed step child for a while longer.