Ragin' Cajuns primed to add to NCAA history list

LOUISIANA La. — When Louisiana played the Marshall Thundering Herd in NCAA Tournament action some 32 years ago, the Ragin’ Cajuns of coach Beryl Shipley hit 42-of-80 shots in a run-and-gun 112-101 victory.

Marshall put up 112 attempts in that contest, giving the two squads a combined 192 shots launched.

Those were the days of Bo Lamar and Roy Ebron, of Jerry Bisbano, Fred Saunders, Wilbert Loftin, Payton Townsend and, eventually Larry Fogle — the pre-probation days when the Cajuns dazzled fans with fast-paced offense.

UL (then USL) played three games in the 1972 NCAA Tournament and three more in 1973, winning half of those (Marshall, 100-70 over Texas and 102-89 over Houston).

The numbers in those days were wildly entertaining, but are mind-boggling today.

The Cajuns hit 35-of-94 shots in an 88-84 loss to Louisville (34-of-60) in 1972 (154 combined).

They hit 42-of-80 to 22-of-66 for Texas (146 total).

UL was good on 40-of-86 against Houston’s 38-of-84 (170 shots).

Only 26-of-72 were good in a 66-63 loss to Kansas State (28-of-56, 128 total attempts).

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com