Sunbelt Champs Return
Ragin' Cajuns honored as it prepares for NCAA tournament
LOUISIANA La. — The University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajun basketball team didn’t come home with only a Sun Belt championship trophy. Pieces of net also hung around the players’ necks, spoils from their 67-58 victory over the University of New Orleans. The players met their fans at Martin Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
A band blared the song “Respect” as the team gathered in front of a podium and microphone for the pep rally. Staff and students lined the porch, stairs and sidewalk to cheer on the team.
“It was an exciting season,” said Coach Jessie Evans. “No one believed this team ...”
Interrupting shouts of “I did,” came from people standing in the crowd as Evans finished his statement.
“To come back to this type of celebration, we’re just excited,” Evans continued. “We also understand our work is only half done.”
Some in the crowd held “Geaux Cajuns” or “Allons Danser Cajuns” signs.
The team is ready for the “big dance” — the NCAA tournament.
“We’re still going to have a lot of fun, and we’re going to (make) it,” promised Dwayne Mitchell, Ragin’ Cajuns guard.
The team will find out who and where they’ll play their first NCAA tournament game on Sunday. Evans invited the student body to the team’s selection party, but no time or place has been set yet.
Evans described UL Lafayette President Ray Authement as the team’s “No. 1 fan.”
“(I’m) one of the shortest guys on the team,” Authement joked.
Quote
