Sorry can't fire Marlin

[ZoomZoom]

Understandable. Question is what happens if a good product is put on the court next season.

Would not be surprised, nor if we didn't. We're too close to the forest to see the trees. I expect next season is fish or cut bait, but I'm not the AD.

But if it would happen, most would be happy. Those with agendas other than UL basketball getting back on track...some heads explode, people leap to their deaths off the basin bridge...because Marlin would get a bonus and probably an extension.

200 lbs test line if you're wondering...

[talktomewillis]

One that keeps turnovers below 12 a game, out rebounds opponents regularly, shoots over 45 percent from the field,over 35 percent from the three point line, and over 75 percent from the line. Shoots that well while having assists on about 50 percent of baskets and does all this while playing at a good pace. Of course having solid defensive rotations and being able to finish at the basket at a higher rate than in recent years is part of what is necessary as well. At times this year we have done some of that such as shoot free throws well. We also seem to play good defense for a half or so but that is inconsistent. Example of that is the first half of both games in Texas. 2nd half defense in those games declined considerably from the first. We did well on the boards at UTA and against ULM while we let Texas State out rebound us. Problem this year is the inconsistency with much of that and the shooting has overall been poor. A good product is pretty much what we saw from the 2017-18 team prior to the late season problems. Another thing that interests people is having one guy people want to see. Malik Wilson showed flashes of that potential in early January prior to the knee bruise. Since then not so much. I bet he works hard on all of his game in the off season as he seems to be a driven player.

It was just two years ago we had this. And, we won 27 games. And, attendance was maybe a couple hundred better. Hence my comment on college basketball being dead in the deep south among mid majors which I've been saying for at least five years. Look at attendance in the deep south among mid majors...not just here. You'll see I'm right.

[Cajunsmike]

Would not be surprised, nor if we didn't. We're too close to the forest to see the trees. I expect next season is fish or cut bait, but I'm not the AD.

But if it would happen, most would be happy. Those with agendas other than UL basketball getting back on track...some heads explode, people leap to their deaths off the basin bridge...because Marlin would get a bonus and probably an extension.

I have no idea what happens next season. Great improvement is definitely possible. That of course depends on how well guys out recover from injury, the ability to bring in a couple of additional quality players, and continued development/improvement of guys playing now. I understand the view that is too many "ifs" to have confidence in a major turnaround. I would be surprised if things are as rough as this season as some what of what I describe above will occur. How much so, I don't have a clue.

[Cajunsmike]

It was just two years ago we had this. And, we won 27 games. And, attendance was maybe a couple hundred better. Hence my comment on college basketball being dead in the deep south among mid majors which I've been saying for at least five years. Look at attendance in the deep south among mid majors...not just here. You'll see I'm right.

Announced attendance was slightly better. However, actual people in the Dome was much better than now. It will be again if what I describe as quality play happens for two consecutive seasons.

[cajuns80]

It was just two years ago we had this. And, we won 27 games. And, attendance was maybe a couple hundred better. Hence my comment on college basketball being dead in the deep south among mid majors which I've been saying for at least five years. Look at attendance in the deep south among mid majors...not just here. You'll see I'm right.

Also people could care less when you win 27 and dont make the tournament. Makes it very hard to have any momentum for the fans to jump behind

[cajun_lannister]

It was just two years ago we had this. And, we won 27 games. And, attendance was maybe a couple hundred better. Hence my comment on college basketball being dead in the deep south among mid majors which I've been saying for at least five years. Look at attendance in the deep south among mid majors...not just here. You'll see I'm right.

We averaged 1,200 more people a game after the tournament birth vs. losing 58 fans after the 27 win season.. basketball is not dead here casual fans want tournament births

[ULvictory]

It was just two years ago we had this. And, we won 27 games. And, attendance was maybe a couple hundred better. Hence my comment on college basketball being dead in the deep south among mid majors which I've been saying for at least five years. Look at attendance in the deep south among mid majors...not just here. You'll see I'm right.

There's definitely a little bit of a difference on announced vs actual attendance this season. And understandably so. But in 2018, the numbers looked a lot more accurate because of the way we were playing and better walk up crowds.

[Cajunsmike]

Announced attendance was slightly better. However, actual people in the Dome was much better than now. It will be again if what I describe as quality play happens for two consecutive seasons.

Not to discount Jay's point totally. Leave the Cajuns out of this for a minute. He is right in that little attention is paid to basketball on the huge majority of southern mid major campuses these days. That is the case even if you have a good team. Georgia State is an example of that. They announced about 1200 when we played there earlier this year. I wonder what Stephen F. Austin is drawing this year after the big win at Duke. I would have to check. This situation is one reason I miss having WKU and MT in the league. Those are not "deep south" schools however. Fans there do pay attention to the game and I think that impacts interest elsewhere in the league. Now having a quality product here and the fact that few pay attention to basketball elsewhere are two different issues. Of course we should strive to put an entertaining team on the court.

[basinbear]

Not to discount Jay's point totally. Leave the Cajuns out of this for a minute. He is right in that little attention is paid to basketball on the huge majority of southern mid major campuses these days. That is the case even if you have a good team. Georgia State is an example of that. They announced about 1200 when we played there earlier this year. I wonder what Stephen F. Austin is drawing this year after the big win at Duke. I would have to check. This situation is one reason I miss having WKU and MT in the league. Those are not "deep south" schools however. Fans there do pay attention to the game and I think that impacts interest elsewhere in the league. Now having a quality product here and the fact that few pay attention to basketball elsewhere are two different issues. Of course we should strive to put an entertaining team on the court.

Again.....we can't do what Georgia St has done over the last several seasons? Bull cookies.....

[ULvictory]

Not to discount Jay's point totally. Leave the Cajuns out of this for a minute. He is right in that little attention is paid to basketball on the huge majority of southern mid major campuses these days. That is the case even if you have a good team. Georgia State is an example of that. They announced about 1200 when we played there earlier this year. I wonder what Stephen F. Austin is drawing this year after the big win at Duke. I would have to check. This situation is one reason I miss having WKU and MT in the league. Those are not "deep south" schools however. Fans there do pay attention to the game and I think that impacts interest elsewhere in the league. Now having a quality product here and the fact that few pay attention to basketball elsewhere are two different issues. Of course we should strive to put an entertaining team on the court.

Sure, that may be possibly true. And attendance may be a little affected by that. We have seen it in football. But if "basketball is dead in the south," that shouldn't be justification for us underachieving. Now, I have never heard Jay say that to anyone in this regard outside of attendance. But there are fans who have used that exact quote when talking about not making the postseason or coming up short in recruiting. That's what I meant when I was referring the "woe is me" mantra in my previous post.

[RedTails]

I feel like there was some energy around the program during the JJ Thomas era (RIP). Not sure if basketball in the south is completely dead. Anecdotally, I find my circle of friends becoming more and more interested in basketball (NBA and college basketball). I'm as casual of a basketball fan there is, but I made a bunch of games over the last few years. But I've not had the desire to go at all this year, and neither has my circle of friends. Why is it that MBB is the only sport I see constant excuses for? Scheduling is hard, basketball in the south is dead, we get everyone's best shot. Coach Soy Boy across the basin is reviving a dead program that was surrounded by apathy. Granted, I know that's not apples to apples due to the resources available to them.

I don't have the answers, and I respect Coach Marlin...but hopefully there is a buzz next year around a healthy squad.

[cajuns80]

Not to discount Jay's point totally. Leave the Cajuns out of this for a minute. He is right in that little attention is paid to basketball on the huge majority of southern mid major campuses these days. That is the case even if you have a good team. Georgia State is an example of that. They announced about 1200 when we played there earlier this year. I wonder what Stephen F. Austin is drawing this year after the big win at Duke. I would have to check. This situation is one reason I miss having WKU and MT in the league. Those are not "deep south" schools however. Fans there do pay attention to the game and I think that impacts interest elsewhere in the league. Now having a quality product here and the fact that few pay attention to basketball elsewhere are two different issues. Of course we should strive to put an entertaining team on the court.

They don't care and yet they kick our ___ LOL. And have been to the tournament 3 of 4 years.