LOUISIANA La. — Resilience is one of the perks of youth.

Members of Louisiana’s men’s basketball team got a momentary shock with last Friday’s announcement that new coach Glynn Cyprien was terminated for having inadequate academic credentials for the Ragin’ Cajun job.

But for most of the players, that did little to change their summer routine of summer school, weight training and pick-up games in the Cajundome in preparation for the 2004-2005 campaign.

“We were shocked a little bit, but we’ve got to play either way,” said center Adam James, a redshirt during the 2003-2004 season. “It’s just somebody different telling us what to do.

“We don’t get caught up in all that stuff.”

“It was a very strange day,” said incoming freshman standout Derek Gray, who is enrolled in summer school. “That doesn’t change things, though. I just have to go out and play hard.

“I’m working on my game every day, so I can go out and be able to perform.”

Gray is carrying 7 hours of summer school classes to get a jump on student life, and has gained valuable experience in daily pick-up games with holdover Cajuns.

The imminent appointment of 9-year Cajun assistant Robert Lee to the head job could help any transition the veterans will encounter after the sudden change.

“I’m excited for coach Lee, I’m happy for coach Lee,” James said. “I feel bad for coach Cyprien that it happened, but I think this may work out better.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com