MBB Final: LA 83, ULM 76

[talktomewillis]

I wouldn't say the game wasn't close when ULM was able to get the game to within a basket late in the game and outscored the Cajuns 47-46 in the second half, but it's always fun to defeat the Chicken Hawks.

Here's another way to say it: Cajuns were never in danger of losing. ULM led for less than one minute in the game

[CajunT]

Here's another way to say it: Cajuns were never in danger of losing. ULM led for less than one minute in the game

No, I agree with that! The game was never in doubt, but it did get uncomfortably close late.

[CajunEXPRESS]

So what I think is that if Marquetti would be healthy we would have at least 2 or 3 more conference wins. In that case the Cajuns would be either 17-8 or 18-7 overall, and a conference record of either 8-4 or 9-3 and would be right in the hunt for the conference lead. Instead we are 15-10 and 6-6.

It sucks that Marquetti, arguably our best player (I know Gant is probably, but you can make a case for Marquetti) is out. also it shows how one player on a mid major can really affect a team with an injury and don't forget we are without Kobe Julien as well, who would have contributed this year.

Gant and Stroman will be huge losses next year, but i am excited to see Jalen Johnson and Kobe Julien next year as well as the growth of a few players like Wesley and the continued growth of Davis.

I hope we decide to play in a post season tournament so that Gant and Stroman can continue to showcase what they can do.

Oh and by the way, is anyone else besides me impressed with how PJ Hardy has stepped up lately. he is the 4th leading scorer on the team in conference play, behind, Gant, Stroman and Davis?

I’m pretty sure four of the loses were games we trailed by around twenty points. He’s not making a difference that wins those games. But to argue one way or the other is pointless speculation.

[Million$Mullet]

I’m pretty sure four of the loses were games we trailed by around twenty points. He’s not making a difference that wins those games. But to argue one way or the other is pointless speculation.

I’m not saying we would have won any of the 3 games we lost by around 20, but with Marquetti in there he could have at least helped stop the bleeding. We got down to app 17-0 before we finally scored. Same with the ulm game in Monroe when we got down big and cut it down late only to lose at the end. We are a completely different team with him on the floor.

[CajunVic]

He’s getting those rebounds by default, Mike 😉

Yes, I agree. It’s all his fault he is consistently getting all those rebounds. Good observation.

[Boomer]

I’m not saying we would have won any of the 3 games we lost by around 20, but with Marquetti in there he could have at least helped stop the bleeding. We got down to app 17-0 before we finally scored. Same with the ulm game in Monroe when we got down big and cut it down late only to lose at the end. We are a completely different team with him on the floor.

.....Marquetti loss is certainly the difference maker...20 % of the starters w/o him and Julian a maybe.....probably your 2nd best starter....Stroman was expected to get one of their 2 guards in foul trouble and in doing so, his drives were a difference....Hardy has put on some mass to his body and clearly makes his game much improved.....do we have a new best 3 pt shooter

[Cajunsmike]

I’m pretty sure four of the loses were games we trailed by around twenty points. He’s not making a difference that wins those games. But to argue one way or the other is pointless speculation.

Marquetti's biggest loss is guarding the opponent's best offensive player. For example, when he played Georgia Southern at home we had no one who could stick with Tookie Brown and he dominated the game. At 6'6" Marquetti would have been able to check him and he would not have been nearly as effective. Would it have been enough of a factor to alter the outcome is something we will never know. There is no argument however that he has been missed greatly in many games. At least guys who have been taking his minutes have shown improvement recently and that is likely to continue in the off season.

[zephyr]

I had been down on Miller with his decision making last year and the first third of games this year. The guy has really improved his game. To be fair, he's always been a guy that has put his head down and played hard. There isn't as much glory in making a nice pass to set up a good shot vs jacking up a 3, but his passing the ball is a big part of making this team go.

The decision making is not still not great. As I've mentioned before, he's second on the team in turnovers by a wide margin even though he doesn't have the ball in his hands even close to as much as Stroman does. This is why I called him a maddening player because he does make good plays as well and is at times a big catalyst to make plays. The kid plays hard though and I will always admire that about him. I'm just hoping he keeps trimming those bad plays down moving forward.

[zephyr]

He’s getting those rebounds by default, Mike 😉

Exactly

[Million$Mullet]

Exactly

That was just for you

[zephyr]

That was just for you

I know. Lol. You even have Mike acknowledging that some of the rebounds are by luck. While I feel he can work harder on the defensive rebounding as he often loses out to his man, I like that he really gets in there on the offensive glass as I think he's amongst the league's best in that regard and that is an underrated part of the game, especially when it extends possessions and gets some open perimeter shots.