The Opponent: USA takes on red-hot Cajuns
There's good news and bad news as the South Alabama basketball team begins its next-to-last regular-season road trip tonight in the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, La.
The good news for the Jaguars is their depth should improve with forward Brandon Gordon's return to practice earlier in the week. Gordon had missed the last three games after straining a knee ligament early in the second half against Western Kentucky on Jan. 22.
The bad news for South Alabama is it must start the trip against one of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt Conference. Tipoff is 7 p.m. Louisiana has won seven of its last eight games. The Ragin' Cajuns had a seven-game winning streak snapped when they dropped a 79-72 decision at Denver on Saturday.
"The streak started with us," said USA coach John Pelphrey. "They're playing some real good basketball right now. They arguably have one of the most talented teams in the league. They're a terrific passing team."
Louisiana, now 13-8 overall and 7-2 in the Sun Belt, began playing up to its preseason hype when senior guard Orien Greene returned to the lineup. Greene missed six games with a broken bone and the Cajuns have been 7-1 since his return. He's averaging 12 points, nearly four rebounds and four assists. He had 21 points in the loss to Denver.
"Orien got healthy and he's helped them," said Pelphrey. "They've got a lot of good players and he's made them a better team. They're built for speed and are really athletic."
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By KIM SHUGART
Sports Reporter
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