Marlin Set To Return ( Retaining Players Paramount )

[SlappyCajun]

4. Jessie Evans was almost 20 years ago. The game has changed since then and so has the interest in basketball in the deep south. Now we only look at football until almost Christmas and then spring sports take center stage over the last four weeks of basketball.

Basketball is an afterthought for Cajun fans. Nothing is going to change that. Football and spring sports will always be more important.

I don't agree with this. And I don't think you can simply state that because things are a certain way right now, they'll continue that way.

There was a time in the past (and not the Bo Lamar era, but 20 years ago), where Cajun Field was empty and people would await the start of basketball season.

Heck we had better football crowds under Hud then we did under Napier (when we were in the top 25 in back-to-back seasons). But I wouldn't assert that's an indicator that Cajun fans don't care about football.

The tastes and passions of fans and people change. And I don't think that anyone can say 10 years from now that Cajun fans will definitely not care about basketball.

In my opinion, all the University can do is try to win as many games as possible in every sport. And I'd also argue that one of the reasons people care about the spring sports here so much is because we had mighty good coaches in those spring sports.

I'm not going to give an opinion on Marlin. That's for Maggard to decide.

[JayWalker]

For whatever it’s worth, I believe UNO had one at large bid.

Yes. 1993. UNO was undefeated in conference and lost to WKU in the finals. UNO got an at large and lost in the first round. WKU went to the sweet 16. WKU got a couple of at large, South had one and Middle had one. That's all I remember.

[ZoomZoom]

You forgot “basketball is dead in the south.”

Actually heard a talking head use that phrase the other night channel surfing. Forgot what game, just laughed and changed the channel.

[Scott Malkinson]

With you J. The way I saw this team gel down the stretch they could be very special next year if they come out the gate playing that way. I think Bob deserves to coach that team. SAVE BOB MARLIN

Ahh yes year 13 will be when Marlin puts it all together.. lol just a reminder some on here were upset we let go of Bustle.

[KajunKrazy]

Ahh yes year 13 will be when Marlin puts it all together.. lol just a reminder some on here were upset we let go of Bustle.

I wasn't upset that bustle got let go and won't be if marlin gets let go. I can assure you the team that hud took over was the best talent that bustle had assembled here. I know he felt that he would have had his best team to date. They would have probably ended up in the same place, at the end of the year, if bustle would have remained coach, as they did with hud.

[ULvictory]

I wasn't upset that bustle got let go and won't be if marlin gets let go. I can assure you the team that hud took over was the best talent that bustle had assembled here. I know he felt that he would have had his best team to date. They would have probably ended up in the same place, at the end of the year, if bustle would have remained coach, as they did with hud.

Oof, not sure about that one. The difference with Hud's first team was the change in mindset. Hud's "rah rah" spiel worked with a bunch of guys hungry to win. Also, the job got to Coach Bustle mentally. I just think the gas tank ran out at the end which played a role in that 3-9 season in 2010.

[ManAboutTown]

I wasn't upset that bustle got let go and won't be if marlin gets let go. I can assure you the team that hud took over was the best talent that bustle had assembled here. I know he felt that he would have had his best team to date. They would have probably ended up in the same place, at the end of the year, if bustle would have remained coach, as they did with hud.

That’s actually a great point and yet another comp with Marlin/Bustle.

If we move on from Bob, the next coach probably comes in and takes us to the dance…

[ULvictory]

Oh, Kyle, you are so full of crap.
2. What have I "blamed the fans" for? I said there are fans who have acted (and said on this board) that the program is in the pits. I said that wasn't true. UL has the second most league wins 2014-present. And, while I respect those who think it might be time for a change, the facts are what they are. I will admit there has been some slippage the last three or four years. But this program is FAR from the pits.

4. Jessie Evans was almost 20 years ago. The game has changed since then and so has the interest in basketball in the deep south. Now we only look at football until almost Christmas and then spring sports take center stage over the last four weeks of basketball.

Basketball is an afterthought for Cajun fans. Nothing is going to change that. Football and spring sports will always be more important.

Basketball is an afterthought because we haven't been consistent, and the product has turned stale. People don't show up when you don't win. It even took Billy to win big to get the fans back to Cajun Field. We saw the attendance numbers during Hud's last season. They were pretty bad.

Also since 2018, we have the 6th most league wins. That's 4 full seasons where we have, for the most part, underachieved. I remember when we drew over 5,000 in 2018 after making some fun runs and the Cajundome having some excitement inside of it. Even this past weekend many fans who had basically quit on basketball got excited about us playing in the championship game.

I know we aren't going to draw the 7-8,000 we used to draw. But I also don't think that the fan base will always use basketball as an afterthought. I have run into many people around town who are just waiting for a spark in the program so they can get interested again. As far as Marlin goes, I'm like you. I'll let Dr. Maggard decide that.

[Turbine]

Ahh yes year 13 will be when Marlin puts it all together.. lol just a reminder some on here were upset we let go of Bustle.

Bustle would have had several winning seasons he had had 5 more years.

If Baldwin had been given 9 more years he would have had.. ok not Baldwin.

Marlin's biography "The Five Year Leash."

[Scott Malkinson]

That’s actually a great point and yet another comp with Marlin/Bustle.

If we move on from Bob, the next coach probably comes in and takes us to the dance…

A lot of people are forgetting we are adding 4 new schools for basketball. Marshall skull drug Marlin this past year

[KajunKrazy]

That’s actually a great point and yet another comp with Marlin/Bustle.

If we move on from Bob, the next coach probably comes in and takes us to the dance…

You may be right. I just don't see the sun belt conference as a destination job for that up and comer that wants to move on in basketball as I do in football. I would not expect to get a coach with a resume as good as Bob marlins was when he was hired. He brought SHST to the dance a couple of times if I recall, had multiple regular season championships, and knock off top ranked Kentucky as Bearcats coach.

Not saying we shouldn't move on but I wouldn't expect some great splash of a hire.

[Scott Malkinson]

I wasn't upset that bustle got let go and won't be if marlin gets let go. I can assure you the team that hud took over was the best talent that bustle had assembled here. I know he felt that he would have had his best team to date. They would have probably ended up in the same place, at the end of the year, if bustle would have remained coach, as they did with hud.

Yeah Jay Johnson was 1000x better OC and was the straw that stirred the drink