2005-06 Basketball Preview

[NewsCopy]

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajun men's basketball team could have picked an easier way to open its 2005-06 regular season. But that's not head coach Robert Lee's style. Instead of an early-season romp over an outmanned foe not much better than the St. Gregory's team the Cajuns crunched in their exhibition, they'll go to a basketball hotbed Friday and face a second-round NCAA Tournament team from last season. Lee expects a nearly-capacity crowd when the Cajuns take on Southern Illinois' Salukis at 7:05 p.m. (CST) Friday at 9,628-seat SIU Arena. The last time SIU played a home game the attendance was that figure - sold out - for the Salukis' win over Wichita State that ended the 2004-05 regular season. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to play there," Lee said Monday. "SIU is the type of program we're trying to emulate." The Salukis went 27-8 last season - 15-0 at home - and won a first-round NCAA Tournament game 65-56 over St. Mary's before falling to Oklahoma State 85-77 in the second round. SIU also won both of its exhibition contests, rolling past Missouri-St. Louis 89-64 last week before topping intra-system SIU-Edwardsville in a defense-dominated 50-31 decision Saturday. The Cajuns also had an easy time exhibition-wise, punishing St. Gregory's of Oklahoma 92-53 last Thursday behind the 23 points and 10 rebounds of Michael Southall. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[Dawgbytes]

SIU lost three starters from last year, two guards, and a center. The team is actually better off without the center, he was very slow and unathletic. One of the guards lost was the two time MVC POY, Darren Brooks. We have a very young team that is loaded with talent, but the average age on the team is about a sophomore, there are no scholarship seniors. SIU currently has the nation's 2nd longest home winning streak, behind Gonzaga. We have not lost a home conference game since Feb. 2001, and are 55-1 over the last four years at home. Included in that streak is a 12 point victory over Indiana, in the year in which they took runner-up in the NCAA tourney. (translated-it would be quite a coup to win at SIU!)

Our frontcourt is a little better, and certainly deeper than last year, the backcourt has some promising young players in two freshman, one of whom redshirted last year. The "big gun" in the backcourt is Jamaal Tatum, who scored 22 points and outplayed Oklahoma States All-American guard in our loss to them in the NCAAs last year.

Look for unrelenting defense, especially from our guards, looks like it will be a great game, I am looking forward to it, may the best team win!

[CajunProud]

I am a Cajun alum, but I did go to SIU for a year on a tennis scholarship. It is a very tough place to play. The venue is small and intimate, very much like Blackham (p.s. Blackham is where we should be playing all of our games, but I digress) I think it will be a great game between two schools that are rich in basketball tradition and history.

Cajuns - 78
SIU - 73

[NCAA or BUST]

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewtop...r=asc&start=30

we better get used to it and laugh because we might see it a few times all year. I don't care no big deal I just think it is funny

[Geaux clotille]

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewtop...r=asc&start=30

we better get used to it and laugh because we might see it a few times all year. I don't care no big deal I just think it is funny

I'm sure we'd be happy if we'd have thought of something like that first. It's always best to be the team with the most creative fans!

[AstroCajun]

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewtop...r=asc&start=30

we better get used to it and laugh because we might see it a few times all year. I don't care no big deal I just think it is funny

If that's all they do, that's disappointing. I'd imagine a few orange jumpsuits.

But what they don't realize is that they're playing right into his hands. Judging from the St. Greg's game, dude is on a mission.

[Turbine]

I don't think it wil faze him.

He plays with his back to the basket any way

[Doug]

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewtop...r=asc&start=30

we better get used to it and laugh because we might see it a few times all year. I don't care no big deal I just think it is funny

It's not funny I heard a radio caller say he was not going to any games because of Southall.

[Zeebart21]

It's not funny I heard a radio caller say he was not going to any games because of Southall.

His loss... If Robert Lee says the kid is OK, Im in....

Z.

[OleMissCajunFan]

It's not funny I heard a radio caller say he was not going to any games because of Southall.

I agree, it's that guy's loss if he doesn't show up for the games. MS has paid his debts that he owed, and I believe in clean slates. Why would you give up on a guy when it seems as if he's really trying to make it? And like it's been said before, if Gen. Lee says he's ok, then he's fine by me.

[SalukiRage]

Hi guys-

Glad to know we are ruffling some feathers even before the game...

This will be a good early season test for both of our teams.

Our student section is known for being fairly clever and really getting under the skin of the other team. That might be part of the reason for the 55-1 home record over the last few years. You guys got a bit of a break this time though as our thanksgiving break starts this week and there may not be as many students on campus.

I'm not sure they will come up with prison jumpsuits but damm that would be great too. I'll mention it, thanks...

I think "Jail bird" and "felon" chants are to be expected. If Southalll does well here he will do well anywhere.

[CRAWFISH61]

That is pretty funny. Southall knows that he is in for this kind of treatment. The best way to shut them up is kick their teams fanny. Those phone calls from people like that make me laugh. They should be asked how many games did they go to last year? The answer is probably none anyway.