Men's Basketball

[zephyr]

No doubt about Jalen, he was a good add.

And I'm not knocking any add, I'm knocking change for change sake and not letting players mature in the system.

Dou Gueye is averaging 8.5 points PPG. Jerekius Davis averaged right at 10 PPG last year, scoring in the double digits in 14 games.

Smith is averaging 7.6 PPG. Justin Miller averaged 9 with Louisiana.

Another year of continuity in the system and I believe Miller and Jerekius Davis would have been even better than we saw.

Also, UL could use Jeremy Hayes 31 minutes and 15.4 PPG he is getting this year.

ps UL has one player less than last year. Somebody could have been kept.

Davis was also an undersized front court player who was not a very good defender and only rebounded 3.5 rbg. That doesn't cut it. Dou is a better defender and rebounder, longer and more athletic. I think once he's had a chance to adapt, you will see much more upside in him than Davis.

The same can be said for Smith. Miller averaged 9 and rebounded OK but was less athletic and a major defensive liability and was 2nd on the team in turnovers even though he played moderate minutes. Again, the upside for Smith is greater than Millers. If you don't believe me, go look at Miller's numbers this year.

[zephyr]

Gladney was the fourth school player who left and that was also for non basketball reasons. We do have 13 scholarship players which is the limit. We did have two walk ons last year. Eli Mouton is the other who moved on. I understand he has given up the game now after suffering an injury at LSU-EUNICE. Turbine may be right in that continuity from keeping Davis and Miller may have contributed to a better record at this stage. However those decisions were made partially by the administration.

Mike, do you really think we'd be better with Miller and Davis? We are already struggling defensively and I think the players we brought in are better not to mention longer and more athletic. I would have liked to have seen Davis stay and be a part of this rotation because he could play the SF more and be on the perimeter but to rely on he and Miller alone on the inside is scary.

[Million$Mullet]

Mike, do you really think we'd be better with Miller and Davis? We are already struggling defensively and I think the players we brought in are better not to mention longer and more athletic. I would have liked to have seen Davis stay and be a part of this rotation because he could play the SF more and be on the perimeter but to rely on he and Miller alone on the inside is scary.

Dou is not as good as jerekius Davis. I’m not sure about smith yet.

[zephyr]

Dou is not as good as jerekius Davis. I’m not sure about smith yet.

Better defender and rebounder. I'll take it.

[ZoomZoom]

Have agree with Justin Miller leaving the program. When the Cajuns played Detroit Mercy, Justin was an absolute non factor. Even as banged up as we are, Justin still would not be a first, second or third go to option.

Really liked the guy, but his weight battle was on full display as the season progressed.

[Cajunsmike]

Mike, do you really think we'd be better with Miller and Davis? We are already struggling defensively and I think the players we brought in are better not to mention longer and more athletic. I would have liked to have seen Davis stay and be a part of this rotation because he could play the SF more and be on the perimeter but to rely on he and Miller alone on the inside is scary.

Without the injuries, we would be fine without the guys who moved on. Davis could help us now offensively. Continuity is something difficult to judge. Familiarity with system may cause less turnovers for example.

[moorecajun]

Dou is not as good as jerekius Davis. I’m not sure about smith yet.

I agree with zephyr; both new players project to be better. I think Smith is going to be very good for us. If Dou can focus more on playing down low instead of out top trying to be a guard I think he will start to show much better results.

[CajunEXPRESS]

The problem with Gooey Dou is he doesn’t play within his limits. Guess that’s why his numbers look better than his play. Smith is an unknown. His illness really put him back.

[Turbine]

Davis was also an undersized front court player who was not a very good defender and only rebounded 3.5 rbg. That doesn't cut it.

REBOUNDS

Justin Miller and Jerekius Davis were UL's 1st and 3rd best rebounders last year.

Last year, of players averaging over 19 minutes a game:
Justin Miller averaged 11.7 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
JaKeenan Gant averaged 10.9 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
Jerekius Davis averaged 7.1 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.

This year, of players averaging over 16 minutes a game:
Tirus Smith is averaging 12 rebounds per every 40 minutes played. (16.1 mpg)
Dou Gueye is averaging 9.5 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
Jalen Johnson is averaging 8.4 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.

[Hudsheen#Fired]

The problem with Gooey Dou is he doesn’t play within his limits. Guess that’s why his numbers look better than his play. Smith is an unknown. His illness really put him back.

Honestly expected more from dou as he had offers from oklahoma state, Arkansas, and Seton hall

[zephyr]

Honestly expected more from dou as he had offers from oklahoma state, Arkansas, and Seton hall

I won't give up on him at this time. Perhaps he's going through a period of adjustment. He's obviously trying too hard out there, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe just needs time to get it together and let the game come to him. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

[zephyr]

REBOUNDS

Justin Miller and Jerekius Davis were UL's 1st and 3rd best rebounders last year.

Last year, of players averaging over 19 minutes a game:
Justin Miller averaged 11.7 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
JaKeenan Gant averaged 10.9 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
Jerekius Davis averaged 7.1 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.

This year, of players averaging over 16 minutes a game:
Tirus Smith is averaging 12 rebounds per every 40 minutes played. (16.1 mpg)
Dou Gueye is averaging 9.5 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.
Jalen Johnson is averaging 8.4 rebounds per every 40 minutes played.

We are being outrebounded this year on average. I can't think of any good teams that have an average negative rebounding margin for an entire season. I believe a lot of this needs to be addressed by the staff. We have way too many early shots with nobody hitting the boards. Our offense this year has been fine when you look at pure stats but we are the worst team defensively in the league and one of the worst in rebounding.