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

[NewsCopy]

Advertiser-Dan McDonald

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's backcourt was already beaten up and short-handed enough. That group didn't need for Saturday's Sun Belt Conference basketball contest against Florida International to deteriorate into a war.

The Ragin' Cajuns found themselves in one of their most physical battles of the season on Saturday, and the 64-51 win was more one of survival than anything else.

"We didn't expect it to be that physical," said junior guard Antoine Landry, who was forced into a lead role with the absence of backcourt mates Brad Boyd and Kenneth Lawrence. "They caught us off guard early."

The visiting Panthers, also feeling short-handed pains after head coach Donnie Marsh dismissed two players from his squad this week, didn't back down after falling behind by as many as 14 points at halftime.

In fact, FIU turned up the physical play, scoring the first 11 points of the second half to make it a three-point game.

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[NewsCopy]

Advertiser-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE - Brad Boyd was in street gear, still sore from a serious auto accident he endured last weekend.

Kenneth Lawrence was in California, tragically called home by the death of his infant daughter.

Despite an absence of backcourt starters, though, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns withstood yet another challenge in this unusual campaign Saturday night when they dispatched Sun Belt Conference foe Florida International 64-51 before 6,010 fans at the Cajundome.

The Cajuns won their 16th straight game in the 'Dome, improving to 11-6 overall and 3-1 in the Sun Belt, while FIU fell to 6-11, 0-4.

"Without Brad, I felt I had to step up and make shots, and without KJ (Lawrence) I had to handle the ball more," said senior guard Robert Jupiter, who nailed 5-of-8 3-point baskets for a team-high 17 points.

"Everybody on this team can play more than one position."

"Without our starting backcourt, we were missing 22-23 points and a great deal of leadership," coach Jessie Evans said. "Plus, those two do 85-90 percent of our ball handling, so we knew it would be tough tonight."

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[Turbine]

LOUISIANA

Cajun Dome

MTSU

71 65 Michael Southall came to play

[NewsCopy]

Advertiser-Dan McDonald

LAFAYETTE — The figures bear it out ... UL's basketball team plays better in front of more people.

The Ragin’ Cajuns have played in front of crowds of more than 3,000 11 times in 16 games this season, and have won nine of those games.

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[NewsCopy]

Advertiser-Dan McDonald


LAFAYETTE — Louisiana's men basketball team has had an entire week to prepare for tonight’s Middle Tennessee contest.

Now, the Ragin’ Cajuns have another reason to sit up and take notice of the opposition for the 7:05 p.m. Cajundome battle, after the Blue Raiders pulled off another Sun Belt Conference shocker Thursday.

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[Cajun1997]

Cajuns pick up a big win in front a good crowd. Thanks to Guru for inviting me to the game, I had a great time. Look forward to the next one. GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!

Louisiana 71
Middle Tennessee 65

[NOCajun]

Michael Southall scores a season high 23 points and Brad Boyd comes off the bench to score 18. The CAJUNS were miserable from the foul line, but forced MT into 26(I think) turnovers. This win puts them in sole posession of first place in the Sun Belt Western Division.

WAY TO GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!!

[Turbine]

Southall, Gunn, and the ref.

[RaisingCajun08]

Sure he finished with 23 points on the night but to me it looked like he played a terrible game. He was by far the best or 2nd best athelete on the court last night. He could of had 46pts.

I just can not stand to see someone miss free throw after free throw. Also I would take a charging call over a block shot anyday. He was being lazy and not moving to cut off the shooter.

But what takes the cake was the technical foul for hanging on the rim. There is no excuse for that.

I just think the way he played on paper looks better than he played on the court.

:confused:

[Cajun Express]

ORIGINAL POST BY RaginCajun08
I just think the way he played on paper looks better than he played on the court.

:confused:

I think you are in serious need of a trip to Lens Crafters. The Big Cheese played a whale of a game! I guess you missed his mid court steal,and slam dunk that brought the dome down, or the stolen pass about 11 feet in the air, or that he fouled out their big men, or that they were hanging onto his arms when he tried to go up for a shot or the 5 blocked shots that were at give me range. Did you not see MT collapse three on him, giving everybody else easy shots. NO, NO he is horrible can't get those chargers. YES,YES!!!! He could make more free throws, but my friend that has nothing to do with effort, if it did there would be many,many more people hitting 70 plus percentage.