Final: Louisiana 75, USM 61

[CajunEXPRESS]

I think the only reason it was and seems less that he forced it was because, in general, he received the ball a lot less this game. Especially once Fulks took control in the second half, there was no need to feed JB and I'm glad they stayed with that adjustment. He's too static as he really wants to stay on that block but it makes it easier for teams to double team him there. He's going to have to accept a likely reduced offensive role in some games in conference.

I don’t think Brown is a selfish player. I don’t believe his goal is a double double. He’s limited in spite of his high school rating, and he’s constantly trying to make his way. IOW it’s not personal glory he’s seeking, it’s being a leader who wins. That was put on him by Bob.

[Cajunsmike]

A little more to it than that Mike if you ask me. First off, we shot well from outside but its not like we torched the nets. We hit 1 more 3 than them and shot our average percentage from outside the arc. I think the big difference was our backcourt in particular played much more under control and limited turnovers as well as the stepped up play of Fulks. Honestly, he controlled that game, in particular in the second half when they really tried to start pressuring. They were loading up on Brown and it created driving lanes and he took advantage. We were much more balanced scoring wise across the board and I think that's the way we should try to play all the time.

JB still tries to force too much but there were times where we really moved the ball in the first half and we played with higher pace and looked good. In the end, we just have to be willing to defend like we did for an entire game while not getting lazy and fouling a lot which has been a problem.

I know our three pointers were about even. However 7 in first half got us going. A few USM threes were relatively late in game. That being said, our defense was more than solid and Fulks was outstanding. On those points we agree. The defense got better in second half at ODU. Maybe they have figured something out there. If Fulks plays consistently like that we can challenge for a bye in tournament. Themus had an interesting comment in post game. He said the negative social media reaction to them and their coaches on road trip play gave them motivation. If that is case, keep criticism coming. Looks like he is becoming a team leader. Personally, I like the edge those comments demonstrate.

[CajunAmos]

Brown did force a couple times last night, but it was way down from previous games. Twice late in the game he tried to dribble against his man from the free throw line. Whether that was because Fulks was on the bench after going to the locker room or because it was late and he hadn’t cracked double digits yet I’m not sure. Hopefully he’s just as content with Ws as 20 point games. Has to be willing to let his teammates make the opponents pay for the double and triple teams.

One of those drives was a clear hack and no call.

[RaginScotsman]

What do you think caused the boost in the crowd? The opponent?

I saw an email about “pack the dome.”

[zeppelincajun]

What do you think caused the boost in the crowd? The opponent?

I saw an email about “pack the dome.”

I think last night's crowd is being oversold a bit much. These are some pics I took midway through the first half. I will give it to the folks still going: the courtside folks and those right behind them are getting after the refs like they should. Even with the semester being out, we still had a few standing in the student section giving USM hell. I missed the previous 3 games with personal engagements, so I can't speak to those crowds. I know last night's attendance was 400-500 more people than those were. Maybe this crowd was just much more involved and that's what people are talking about. 2 of the last 3 were non-D1, so it's tough to get a crowd too pumped for that.

[ManAboutTown]

What do you think caused the boost in the crowd? The opponent?

I saw an email about “pack the dome.”

What boost?

[CajunEXPRESS]

We need the entire pull out sections filled to get about 6K. Those pictures don’t appear to be half full.

[cajunref]

You can put everyone in one, two max lower sections on each side.

[RaginScotsman]

What boost?

I read on the thread the crowd looked nice.

Just read the box score and it was 3k. About 500 or so above the average and about a hundred less than the most attended game which was Tech. So, never mind I guess.

[ManAboutTown]

I read on the thread the crowd looked nice.

Just read the box score and it was 3k. About 500 or so above the average and about a hundred less than four most attended game which was Tech. So, never mind I guess.

Those numbers are completely made up and arbitrary. There were nowhere near 3k in that place last night. The propaganda continues. And it continues to alienate the rest of our fanbase who would typically give basketball a shot.