Ragin' Cajuns MBB Adds Another Commitment

[CajunEXPRESS]

Bottom line, we gave Marlin a contract extension early. He’s not in demand yet we’re going to reward him for a mediocre career here. Even sub par if ya consider his record vs any decent program.

[Cajunsmike]

Mike, is Hughes eligible to play this year? I was impressed by him last night, and think he will give us some solid minutes at the 2 spot.
JD also looks like he has stepped his game up from last year. I hope he can shoot it like he did last night.

You probably meant Jeremy Hayes rather than Hughes. Yes he is a JUCO transfer that can play immediately. Personally I think Jalen Johnson is the best overall player on the team. He is Number 21 for those that were there last night. He cannot play this year due to transferring from St. Louis. Kid now admits he should have come here straight out of High school.

[Cajunsmike]

Bottom line, we gave Marlin a contract extension early. He’s not in demand yet we’re going to reward him for a mediocre career here. Even sub par if ya consider his record vs any decent program.

I can see why some question doing the extension now. However we would likely have done it in March anyway. Why Dr. Maggard decided to do it now which is earlier than needed is something I cannot answer. Those who think he made a mistake here need to ask him. Personally I don’t think a soul on the planet has told him they are disappointed in that step. I guess he is confident that another good season awaits. Personally I think it would be a stretch to expect what we saw last season due to losing 3 key guys.

[CajunEXPRESS]

No doubt, we had the best talent here last year for decades. The talent didn’t win enough. Maybe the coaching isn’t as good as the talent.

[Hatch]

Well this thread digressed away from the actual commitment pretty quickly but to get back to it I came across this video. I know all of these are designed to make a kid look great but I do have to say I’m a little bit more excited about Lowery after watching this.

https://youtu.be/OffUymAjS80

[CajunEXPRESS]

Hopefully he’ll be great. This years class was special, but Kobe injury, concussion on a top freshman makes us forget.

[Hatch]

I agree that this years class will eventually prove to be special, it is a shame about the concussion keeping Gladney out on top of Julien’s injury. Ton of potential in both of the other 2 as well. I do think it was telling that Lafayette didn’t see the floor against UT even with Gant fouling out with over 5 minutes left. Very well could have had a 3rd freshman injury if he would have gone in there and banged around with size of some of their forwards.

[zephyr]

The Cajuns won 27 games last year.

The Cajuns won a Sun Belt Conference Championship last year.

Marlin was rewarded for the performance, which is normal.

If Gant isn't sick and Stove isn't hurt and we win the tournament, we aren't having this discussion.

We've given two multi-year extensions far before his contract was even up for a 58% winning percentage and 1 NCAA tournament appearance. Until last year, that winning percentage was under 55%. Why not a 1 year extension? Why not wait until his contract is up to evaluate?

[zephyr]

Also, didn't Mike say earlier that they lowered the buyout amount.

I have no problem with a raise and extension in exchange for a lower buyout. Seems to benefit both parties. If he performs, he has earned it and he makes more for longer.

If not, we buy him out for less. Sounds like a win - win.

buyout is less but you are committed to him until 2023. You don't extend him and let his contract play out, you don't have a buyout.

[talktomewillis]

We've given two multi-year extensions far before his contract was even up for a 58% winning percentage and 1 NCAA tournament appearance. Until last year, that winning percentage was under 55%. Why not a 1 year extension? Why not wait until his contract is up to evaluate?

We can agree Marlin inherited a mess when he got the job. His first three years were underwhelming. His winning percentage over the last five years is .651 with two championships (one tournament, one regular season). Now, we can debate all day whether that's good or not. But I dont think using the 50% argument is totally fair here.