Ragin' Cajuns, Pios battle for first

[NewsCopy]

DENVER - It is the rematch that the University of Louisiana's men's basketball team has been waiting for almost a month.

Ever since Denver's Pioneers upset the Ragin' Cajuns' apple cart in the Sun Belt Conference opener by a 72-66 mark in the Cajundome, UL head coach Robert Lee and his squad had today's date circled.

"It's a pretty good bet we'll come out ready to play," Lee said Thursday night only minutes after the Cajuns posted their seventh straight league win, an 86-79 victory at North Texas. "We'll lay it on the line and see what happens. I can't wait for Saturday to come."

The Cajuns and the Pioneers are tied for the top spot in the West Division with 7-1 Sun Belt marks, and one of those teams will be out front with three weeks remaining in the league race following tonight's 7 p.m. contest at Magness Arena.

Denver (12-7, 7-1) almost didn't make it to the deciding game with that record intact, trailing by double figures at home against New Mexico State before pulling out a 75-73 victory. The Pioneers had a six-game league winning streak snapped last Saturday in a 71-61 setback at New Orleans.

But Lee knows the Pioneers won't have the letdowns of their last two outings.

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[CajunDreDog]

Just wanted everyone to know that I'll be watching the UL game here in BR at Buffalo Wild Wings located at Bluebonnet and Perkins! Would love for some other UL fans to join me, so maybe I can fight off the Tigger fans. They have a game that starts at 6pm on one of the Fox Sports channels as well. I'm hoping to get their early enough to get them to put UL on at least one of the big screens.

[Turbine]

Who is doing the broadcast?

[shof]

I'm not sure who is doing the broadcast, but I noticed it on my Fox Sports Central station that I get on cable. I'll be watching, then checking in here at halftime and after the game.
Shof

[shof]

Quick halftime report. First, just glad to be able to watch them. First time this year. Main thing I've seen so far is just too many unforced turnovers. Bad/careless passes in traffic, and a couple of travels. Few times down couldn't seem to put the ball in the hoop after numerous tip in tries. Defensively doing a good job vs the DU big guy overall. Definitely need to keep an eye on #20. The guy loves to shoot the 3, even with guys close.
Hope the cajuns can get it going in the 2nd half. Tiras hasn't had anything going so far. Cameron and Greene have hit a few 3's, and Hamilton is alway hustling around the basket.

[DaddyCajun]

Third time will be the charm!! Win them when they count the most, Denver goes down in the tourney!!

DaddyCajun!!!

[shof]

That's really all it comes down to. Would have been nice to win tonight. Would have helped the cajun players believe in themselves more; but the bottom line is win the tournament.