Cajuns MBB Sign Portland Transfer!

[Million$Mullet]

Our athletic department will Soon be broke, like the majority of America

I agree but when does his contract expire? Is it not after 20-21?

[Cajunsmike]

If there is no football season, there will be no others sports this year either. A majority of AD's have been saying in the media that if the football season is not played this year, no other sports will be played. Football delivers over 75% on sports revenue in college athletics programs. That revenue is critical for other sports as well. The point may be moot.

I understand this is a real possibility. Wonder when that decision will be made. As far as when Coach Marlin’s contract ends, I believe it is in 2023. Buyout drops each year however and would not be a factor after this season under normal circumstances.

[moorecajun]

Interesting that Monroe got the #7 JUCO player.

I am a bit confused by the #2 guy; he will go to Louisville if they offer more than the NBA?

[CajunEXPRESS]

I understand this is a real possibility. Wonder when that decision will be made. As far as when Coach Marlin’s contract ends, I believe it is in 2023. Buyout drops each year however and would not be a factor after this season under normal circumstances.

What’s the minimum you’d want from Marlin to extend his contract. No doubt he’s gotta have at least 3 years on his contract to have a chance to recruit well.

IMO he’d need to get to the NCAA and at least get to the second round along with a 24 game regular season win total. The ship left and it’s almost out of the tug boat’s range.

[RaginDave]

Depending on the status of Tirus Smith, there will not be enough minutes for the players on the team. My assumption is that we have 10 - 12 potential contributors.

Obviously we all think that the starting lineup (depending on injuries) will look like this:

PG -- Wilson
SG -- Russell
F --- Johnson
F--- Julien
C/F-- Gueye

Contributing Bench Players:
G -- Au
G -- Betts
C -- Akwuba
G -- Wesley
F -- Smith
G -- Cadwell
G -- Lowery

My assumption is that Smith/Lowery and Wesley could be the odd men out trying to get minutes. Now obviously injuries and other issues could change that. Smith is not going to be eligible until later if he comes back, Lowery is a question mark as he only played in 1 game, Cadwell is coming off of injury as is Kobe Julien. Wesley (who I really like as a spark and his defensive mentality) I would hope could be a lift off the bench, but depending on Au and Betts, he might not see the minutes he did in 2019/2020.

I do think that if everyone is healthy and back and available, this team has a really good chance to compete at the top of the SBC.

To me, the key is Julien, we know exactly what we get from Wilson/Russell, Johnson and Gueye. The missing component most of the year was Kobe, when he was in the lineup he was really good. Kobe only played in 8 games, but averaged 30 minutes a game, shot 43% from the field and 75% from the FT line. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game and shot a respectable 33.3% from 3 point range for a bigger guy. Julien only had 2 poor performances, vs TCU scored 4 points and vs Detroit scored 5 points. Ironically those were the only 2 games that he played less than 30 minutes.

[Hatch]

Depending on the status of Tirus Smith, there will not be enough minutes for the players on the team. My assumption is that we have 10 - 12 potential contributors.

Obviously we all think that the starting lineup (depending on injuries) will look like this:

PG -- Wilson
SG -- Russell
F --- Johnson
F--- Julien
C/F-- Gueye

Contributing Bench Players:
G -- Au
G -- Betts
C -- Akwuba
G -- Wesley
F -- Smith
G -- Cadwell
G -- Lowery

My assumption is that Smith/Lowery and Wesley could be the odd men out trying to get minutes. Now obviously injuries and other issues could change that. Smith is not going to be eligible until later if he comes back, Lowery is a question mark as he only played in 1 game, Cadwell is coming off of injury as is Kobe Julien. Wesley (who I really like as a spark and his defensive mentality) I would hope could be a lift off the bench, but depending on Au and Betts, he might not see the minutes he did in 2019/2020.

I do think that if everyone is healthy and back and available, this team has a really good chance to compete at the top of the SBC.

To me, the key is Julien, we know exactly what we get from Wilson/Russell, Johnson and Gueye. The missing component most of the year was Kobe, when he was in the lineup he was really good. Kobe only played in 8 games, but averaged 30 minutes a game, shot 43% from the field and 75% from the FT line. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game and shot a respectable 33.3% from 3 point range for a bigger guy. Julien only had 2 poor performances, vs TCU scored 4 points and vs Detroit scored 5 points. Ironically those were the only 2 games that he played less than 30 minutes.

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him, a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

[RaginDave]

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him I a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

Thanks, I forgot Michael Thomas and I hope you are correct about Wesley, he is fun to watch.

[Cajunsmike]

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him, a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

Good analysis. Although Smith may not be a true 5 man, they plan to use him that way when he becomes available. Dou actually played the three in JUCO which may explain some of the problems he had last year.

[Rainman66]

Dou is probably the personification of the thing that bothers me the most of Marlin, as a coach. I do believe Marlin knows the game well, but goodness he seems to allow players to do things they aren't very good at, and keep letting them play/do it.

Dou, on multiple occasions last season, would get a rebound and attempt to go coast to coast with the ball. Although, he has the athleticism to probably do it, he sure doesn't have the ball handling capabilities to pull it off.

His is the just the latest, and freshest example in my head, of this.

[Cajunsmike]

Dou is probably the personification of the thing that bothers me the most of Marlin, as a coach. I do believe Marlin knows the game well, but goodness he seems to allow players to do things they aren't very good at, and keep letting them play/do it.

Dou, on multiple occasions last season, would get a rebound and attempt to go coast to coast with the ball. Although, he has the athleticism to probably do it, he sure doesn't have the ball handling capabilities to pull it off.

His is the just the latest, and freshest example in my head, of this.

Dou's tendency to over dribble was frustrating to many including the coaches. Towards the end of the season he improved greatly in that regard. Hopefully that improvement continues next season.