MBB G13 Final: Louisiana 73, SLU 72

[cajun_lannister]

I think that the postseason every year should be the goal, but understand that the reality is that 2/3 to 3/4 of those "postseason" appearances will probably be in a tournament that starts with a C. I still don't get why those tournaments are so riduculed by most here with the way mid-majors are currently treated by the NCAA and NIT.

The "CBI" is the worst tournament of the 3 and shockinlgy Marlin likes the best.

IMO you can equate it to what ULM and Wyoming wanted to set up this year in football a joke.

[Cajunsmike]

So, basically the point I'm trying to make to the vocal posters who defend Marlin and what he's accomplished such as Willis, Cajunsmike Ragin4U etc. is this. You guys have pointed to our program over a long period of time and suggested the success we've had during Marlin's tenure is similar or better to past coaches and teams. Scheduling is similar, conference success is similar as well NCAA tournament births etc. I think we all agree that our University had to make wholesale changes at the top that trickled down to bringing in guys who valued a collective approach to athletics thus pushing us further along.

We've brought in a president who wants more success and is willing to bring in an AD who feels the same and has the tools to bring us to a higher level. So, we can agree that expectations have to increase as well, especially when funding our programs to a level we never saw before and giving our athletes more resources to succeed. The question is when do our overall success expectations increase as well.

You guys have basically said we are similar in success levels of our MBB program from then to now, so when does our quest for excellence that is brought in through new leadership say to a coach that winning slightly more than half your games in a poor conference and with a very weak schedule is just not good enough? Its the evolution of building a winning program. You put more money and resources into something with the expectation that you will get more out of it. We are not getting more out of this program. In fact, it seems that we are happy with present results particularly as they compare to past accomplishments through comments from our people at the top and evidenced through our willingness to continue extending current contracts.

When do we collectively say thanks but we need more?

No idea what the answer to your question is. If the good but not good enough for many results continue, I expect it will go to at least the end of the current contract. One losing season and I suspect it ends there.

[Cajunsmike]

I'm sure that question will be asked at the presser today. My guess is the redshirt stays. I hope it does, frankly.

Agree it is best for long term interest of the program that the redshirt stays in place.

[Cajunsmike]

You use football for your basketball analogy. Totally absurd. Football is where the "next man up" cliche started. And, it's somewhat valid there.

But when you have 13 schollys, you're going to miss on a couple. The end of the bench is what it is (another bad cliche') for virtually every school. In other cases, players are projects and not quite ready to contribute immediately. That is at every school (especially mid-majors).

The injury to Marquetti is a crippling one. But as I said earlier, it will only help people like yourself fuel the fire about Marlin. Because we will be a shell of ourselves without him. So, in that regard, congratulations...I guess.

Willis, do you think a winning conference season is possible without Malik?

[oldwiseone33]

We just extended Bob two more years

[Cajunsmike]

The "CBI" is the worst tournament of the 3 and shockinlgy Marlin likes the best.

IMO you can equate it to what ULM and Wyoming wanted to set up this year in football a joke.

I think the CIT is the one that we have participated in the most. Unfortunately, in today's world if you finish second in the regular season and lose in the finals of the SBC tournament, than those "C" tournaments are the only opportunity for your guys to participate in post season play. I see that as no different than participating in a bowl with a 6 and 6 record. Yes bowls do invite you but you generally lose much more money by being in those than you will ever will by participating in the CIT. We had some private RCAF donors cover our expenses in this year's CURE Bowl so as the school would not lose money. Kudos to those guys.

[Cajunsmike]

Don’t worry. I wasn’t directly talking about you. I respect your point of view with the basketball program. And the fact that you thought that we wouldn’t win the tournament prior to injuries tells me all I need to know on our program’s current situation. It ain’t good.

I did think we could challenge for the top three prior to the Marquetti injury. Now that is doubtful. Reason I did not think we could win the tournament was depth mostly. Having to win three straight games (perhaps only two if you are in top 2) when your roster only goes so deep was unlikely as players will get leg weary.

[anhil8tor]

We just extended Bob two more years

So he is under contract until 2022 now?

[Cajunsmike]

So he is under contract until 2022 now?

I am fairly sure that is correct.

[Esqueleto]

We just extended Bob two more years

Why🤔

[CajunVic]

Why🤔

We beat TWO in state rivals - McNeese and SLU.

[Hatch]

The "CBI" is the worst tournament of the 3 and shockinlgy Marlin likes the best.

IMO you can equate it to what ULM and Wyoming wanted to set up this year in football a joke.

Don’t know where your coming from there, we have never played in the CBI, only the CIT. I agree with Mike, find it very comparable to a lower tier bowl game, I think he may have stolen that comparison from a post I made awhile back, lol. I know it’s an apples and oranges comparison but our football team just had a season where they exceeded expectations and ended up as one of the top teams in the conference and lost in the conference championship game. They then went on to one of the “other” bowl games and most looked at that as a sign of success. They were able to continue the season and get a few more weeks of practice. If your one of the top 4 teams in the conference in basketball, lose in the semis or championship game go on and do the exact same thing.