2005-06 Basketball Preview

[NewsCopy]

The Ragin’ Cajuns only had seven players last season that averaged over ten minutes per game. One of those players left early to play professionally, two have run out of eligibility and another is awaiting a ruling from the NCAA on another year of playing at the Cajundome. That may sound grim, but a group of newcomers should help ULL stay competitive in the Sun Belt.

Who’s Out: Tiras Wade led the team with 20.3 points per contest and will try his luck in the draft after his junior campaign. Fellow guard Orien Greene averaged 11.4 points and a team high 4.0 assists. Forward Brian Hamilton averaged 13.7 points and a team high 7.6 rebounds. That is a lot of missing talent. Adding to the loss of players is the uncertain status of Dwayne Mitchell. The 6-5 guard, who started all 31 games for Lafayette, must wait on a decision by the NCAA to grant him another year of eligibility. Mitchell played one exhibition contest for Auburn before transferring, which the NCAA has counted as a year of eligibility. The decision may not come down until the fall.

Who’s In: The talent level may not be replaced, but the depth questions will be answered, or at least better than last year. Ed Turner, a transfer from Central Florida Junior College, via the University of Pittsburgh should be starting. At 6-8, Turner can play either forward position. He was highly recruited coming out of high school and will make a big splash in the Sun Belt. Wingman Jake Fields will battle for minutes. He averaged 15 points per game last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. Eventually Booker Woodfox could be the star of the class. The 6-1 guard has an extremely accurate shot and can score in bunches. Point guard Maurice Barksdale could earn a spot in the starting lineup. Even if he doesn’t earn one, he may end up there anyway if Dwayne Mitchell can’t come back. Lucian Graham, a transfer from Long Beach State rounds out Robert Lee’s group of newcomers. Graham started six games for LBSU as a freshman, averaging 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. The 6-7 sophomore will add more depth to the wings. Walk-on Rhett Hebert returns as a sophomore after redshirting last season.

Who to Watch: Chris Cameron is the returning leading scorer and rebounder, with 8.2 and 3.3 respectively. The 6-11, 270 pound center needs to flourish his senior season if the Cajuns want to make the post season. Luckily the depth is much improved so the big man can remain well rested.

Projected Conference Rank: After losing so much talent, a 3rd place finish overall in the Sun Belt is truly a testament to the success of the program. The newcomers will need to step in quickly if the Cajun fans want to forget about Tiras Wade and Orien Greene relatively quickly.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

Projected Starting Five:

Dwayne Mitchell, Senior, Guard, 10.4 points per game

Lucian Graham, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season

Ed Turner, Junior, Forward, DNP last season

Spencer Ford, Senior, Forward, 4.6 points per game

Chris Cameron, Senior, Center, 8.2 points per game

The rest 144 D1 Teams

By Joel Welser

[CajunKahouna]

......... Adding to the loss of players is the uncertain status of Dwayne Mitchell. The 6-5 guard, who started all 31 games for Lafayette, must wait on a decision by the NCAA to grant him another year of eligibility. Mitchell played one exhibition contest for Auburn before transferring, which the NCAA has counted as a year of eligibility. The decision may not come down until the fall............

I thought Mitchell's extra year had already been approved by the NCAA. I could have sworn I saw that news in the Daily Advertiser. :confused:

[Clutch0364]

He was granted the extra year by the NCAA but this was prolly written before that it was certain he was coming back.

[Cajunsmike]

I thought Mitchell's extra year had already been approved by the NCAA. I could have sworn I saw that news in the Daily Advertiser. :confused:

Mitchell has been granted the extra year. The author wrote that article before that news came down. I think his starting lineup suggested is pretty close to what we will see when the season starts.

[texasboy40]

anything on valentino hart

[RaginEsquire06]

One thing for sure is that we should be a lot more explosive on the offense side due to our potential rotation due to quality depth from the bench! Run and Gun Baby!

[Clutch0364]

I am excited to see Ross throw a big dunk down because not many people know that he has some serious ups.

One thing for sure is that we should be a lot more explosive on the offense side due to our potential rotation due to quality depth from the bench! Run and Gun Baby!

Esquire you got that right!!! With the talent that we have on offense with Mitchell, Graham, Mouton, Turner, Cameron, Barksdale, Grey, Fields, and potentially Southall this team should be ready to run and run and run. I would put Ford in there but I see him as an enforcer that won't let his teammates get pushed around...also add in the rebounding and defense of Hart and this could be a nasty team to deal with.

[DaddyCajun]

Clutch baby, its HOPS, not ups, HOPS!!!!!!!!!! wwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhooooooohhhh!!!!!!!

[OwaitFanatic]

GUYS, GUYS, GUYS i'm so excited about this year's basketball team, it couldn't be any better to me, well i guess maybe if t-wade would have stayed but from the looks of it he will be surprisingly replaced, but i just CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

[scotto_25]

Can anyone give valid info on Southall. Heard he was still possibly a "cajun"...... What does he have to do in order to get back on the court. I know that he is in trouble, always in trouble, but basketball does make him a better man. Hopefully this is his last chance and he becomes a part of this team again. Would love to see him in a jersey again. More blocks and dunks alongside D.Mitchell. This will be fun to watch. Please respond if anyone knows status.....thanks

[RaginEsquire06]

I'm curious to know myself Scotto...Great question!

[RaginEsquire06]

With the rotation that Clutch suggested....I doubt if Lsu will be knocking on our door again to play on their home court....Cameron, Southall, Mitchell, Turner, Grahamn, Fields, Mouton, Ford, James, Hart, Grey, Barksdale, Woodfox all in rotation????? Who say's that this team will not be as exciting and productive as the 2004-05 squad.....I beg to differ! Yeah we lost three great guys...but look at what the other teams in our conference lost...just think of what shape Denver will be in! O. Greene had a spectacular high school career....do your research on Barksdale and Ed Turner! Hamilton is a Good ol' boy, great team player indeed.....Do you care to match Southall up against Hamilton on the court? Anyone? As far as a hot shooter, Wade was awesome....But I'll take three players who can shoot lights out versus having one ANYDAY! Grahamn, Fields, Woodfox....need more?

I think Joel Welser needs to do some more research! Cajuns win Sunbelt by a landslide! Bank on it!