The Book: 2002-2003 Basketball (Ragin'Cajuns)

[EVCajun12]

On fanstop.com:

http://www.fanstop.com/fanclub/ncaaf...nBelt&id=35001

Sun Belt Basketball Game of the Week: New Mexico State at Louisiana's Ragin Cajuns

Elliot Venable
1/3/2003

Sun Belt Game of the Week: New Mexico State at Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns, 7 P.M.
At the Cajundome

The Matchup: In the SBC opener for both teams, this could prove to be a pivotal matchup on who will hold the top spot in the SBC West. It’s crazy to think that the first SBC conference game can determine the frontrunner, but with Western Kentucky struggling without Chris Marcus, these two teams are the top runners for the SBC crown. Last year NMSU and UL played for the SBC championship at UL with UL prevailing 69-67. This year’s matchup could prove to be a very close one.

About the Aggies: The Aggies are led be legendary Coach Lou Henson. Henson is best known at his stint with Illinois. But he is ninth all-time in wins and the fourth in wins by active coaches. But the Aggies don’t have just their coach to brag about. NMSU is led by James Moore (20.3 points and 5.8 rebounds), a 6-foot-8 forward, 6-10 NMSU center Chris Jackson (6.8 points and 7.3 rebounds), and 6-4 guard Brandon Mason (14.2 ppg.) Their three top scorers have been effective in many games this season. NMSU nearly knocked off Texas Tech in Lubbock, losing by a point. But they have beaten Colorado, and have played tough against teams all season. NMSU will have to neutralize the inside game of UL and contain the backcourt of UL also.

About The Cajuns: The question about the Cajuns is more like what team will show up. Louisiana has beaten nationally ranked Mississippi State and manhandled Charlotte on their home courts. When they play at their best, they can compete with anyone. But, they have also been beaten by Colorado and Mcneese State. When they are not playing their best, they are usually in trouble. It’s all about what team will show up. UL has all of the talent they need to make a run into the NCAA tourney, and possibly go pretty deep, but unless they are consistent, don’t expect that to happen. The Cajuns are led by their big three. Guard Brad Boyd (19.5 ppg), guard Anthony Johnson ( 15.8 ppg) and highly touted center Michael Southall (13.6ppg, 6.5 rpg). The Cajuns might be missing one of the big three, with Johnson nursing an ankle sprain suffered this past Saturday. There is plenty of talent on the court for the Cajuns. The key will be how the Cajuns will play against the NMSU big men. Southall will have to play well. Boyd will have to play to his potential. Last week Boyd ranked first among Division I three-point shooters. The Inside game will be key tonight with power going against power.

Bottom Line: One key stat to watch: rebounds. The Cajuns have been inconsistent rebounding and are not too good in offensive rebounds. The Aggies are +.9 in rebounds while the Cajuns are -0.7. This could be a key factor. This could come down to who the better defensive team will be. The Cajuns most likely will be without Anthony Johnson. His point production will be picked up. If the Cajuns neutralize the big men of NMSU, they will be prevail. Being at home will not hurt. Another fact that flies under the radar for the Aggies is their backcourt. They have to twin guards that can shoot the three and Brandon Mason is effective. Watch out for these three. Homecourt advantage and an inside game that will prevail will give the Cajuns the win in a good game at the Cajundome:


NMSU 65
Louisiana 68


Email Elliot at: vinnie1235@hotmail.com

[Turbine]

Thanks for the info.

It is almost game time.

[NewsCopy]

Advertisers-Dan McDonald

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's mens basketball team wasn't responding well to the start of Sun Belt Conference play in the opening minutes Thursday night.

And Laurie Bridges knew it.

His Ragin' Cajuns were down by nine points less than nine minutes into the league opener against New Mexico State at the Cajundome.

"It's conference play," Bridges said. "We knew we had to get it going."

Bridges proceeded to score nine straight points for the Cajuns, had 13 points in the last 11 minutes of the first half and generally bedeviled the visiting Aggies in an 81-74 victory that gave the hosts the early leg up in the Sun Belt race.

Bridges had a career-high 21 points, hitting 8-of-14 shots, and added eight rebounds in 39 minutes, and he also did a defensive job on NMSU guard Brandon Mason. A double-figure scorer in six of his last seven games, Mason hit only 3-of-13 from the floor and finished with seven points.

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

Advertisers-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE - If this is the way it's going to be, the Sun Belt Conference basketball race is going to look like a Bruce Willis movie.

You know the one - "Last Man Standing."

Louisiana survived a rugged SBC opener before 5,621 fans at the Cajundome on Thursday night, besting New Mexico State 81-74 in a battle of Western Division contenders.

"Those boys have been in the weight room since last year," said Cajun center Michael Southall, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. "(Center) Chris Jackson is a load, and all of their guys were a lot stronger."

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[Turbine]

Michael Southall looks to pass to dashing KJ as Coach Evans looks on, while getting his 100th win as a University of Louisiana head coach.

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Cajuns call a timely timeout.

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Fans in the stands part1.

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Fans in the stands part2.

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Alumni Band

[Turbine]

Alumni Band member take a well deserved break.

[NewsCopy]

ADVOCATE-BOBBY ARDOIN

LAFAYETTE -- The way guard Laurie Bridges sees it, everyone is a potential starter on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette basketball team.

Bridges certainly made that evident at the Cajundome Thursday night. Starting for the third time this season, Bridges scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds for ULL, which defeated New Mexico State 81-74 in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

With an injury sidelining starting forward Anthony Johnson, the Cajuns began the game with a three-guard lineup. Bridges wanted to provide a spark.


"This team is deep with players," the junior from New Orleans said. "When one of them goes out, the other can step up."

The win was No. 100 at ULL for Cajuns' coach Jessie Evans, who began coaching the Cajuns in 1997.

ULL's victory -- the eighth in 12 games this season -- also established a Cajundome record of 15 straight victories dating back to Nov. 24, 2001.

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[NOCajun]

Thank you so much for posting the Alumni Band pictures!! We had a BLAST playing last night!!!

By the way, you wouldn't happen to have anymore, would you??