Cajuns have tough road to defend
UL copes with injuries, adjusts to Lee´s style
LAFAYETTE — Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
Louisiana´s Ragin´ Cajun basketball team has begun the long process of defending its 2003-2004 Sun Belt Conference title, but it may take time to enjoy the kind of success fans have become accustomed to seeing.
Adapting to a new system under coach Robert Lee and his staff is a large part of the equation.
Players´ health has been another roadblock.
The Nov. 10 exhibition opener against Arkansas Tech is just around the corner, and the season begins Nov. 19 against old rival Louisiana Tech at LSU, so timely progress is crucial.
"Things are going OK," said Lee, who is putting his team through its paces at Blackham Coliseum. "We´re dealing with injuries to some guys. We´ve yet to have our entire team on the floor at one time."
Redshirt freshman center Adam James of St. Thomas More suffered an ankle sprain late in Wednesday´s practice, further delaying his attempt to strengthen the Cajuns´ front line.
Also ailing are center Chris Cameron and senior guard Orien Greene.
"Adam sprained his ankle really bad," Lee said. "It looks like he´ll be out a couple of weeks. Guys we´re counting on to play aren´t there right now."
The Cajuns are already missing four seniors from last year´s championship team — Antoine Landry, Brad Boyd, Laurie Bridges and Chris Williams. Greene, Cameron, Dwayne Mitchell and Brian Hamilton are battle-tested performers back in action from that squad.
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