LOUISIANA La. — Ragin’ Cajuns, say hello to the Cajundome.

Coach Jessie Evans’ Louisiana squad hasn’t been able to practice in its home arena yet, and will miss that chance several times during the regular season as well.

That’s the price the school pays for having a successful arena.

The Cajuns are in the Cajundome tonight, hosting Delta State in a 7:05 p.m. exhibition to begin the 2003-2004 campaign.

“There’s only one other school in the Sun Belt Conference (Arkansas-Little Rock) that’s not able to practice where they play,” Cajun coach Jessie Evans said. “That puts us at a tremendous disadvantage.

“There’s just too many things going on. But, those are the cards we’re dealt. The next-best thing will be to get that new practice arena that’s being planned.”

Evans is 112-72 entering his seventh year as the Cajuns’ coach, coming off a second straight 20-win finish and second National Invitation Tournament in a row.

The Cajuns also won the Sun Belt Conference title in 2000 and reached the NCAA Tournament while sharing the Dome with the Louisiana IceGators and a variety of concert and convention events, so they’ve proven they can cope.

Tonight’s game, will be followed by an exhibition against the Arkansas Angels next Thursday.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com