Louisiana's fate closely related to the health, play of senior guard.

If Robert Lee could clone senior guard Orien Greene, he surely would.

About three Greenes would be a good start, especially this Friday when Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns take on the free-shooting Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Nashville.

Greene was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference this season after leading the league in steals with 66 and in general wreaking havoc with his quick hands and long arms.

It's no accident that the Cajuns hit their stride once Greene returned to action on Jan. 13 after missing a month with a broken leg suffered Dec. 11 at Kansas.

While he was out, the Cajuns looked hesitant. When he got back, they relaxed and played with their usual bravado and confidence.

Then, when they got to the Sun Belt Tournament in Denton, the Cajuns hammered three foes by a combined 44 points to claim a second straight league title and NCAA Tournament berth.

If Reggie Jackson was the straw that stirred the drink for the New York Yankees of the 1970's, then Greene is clearly the glue that holds the Cajuns together.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com