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

[1stTake]

How long has the Sunbelt had an east west setup?

[Pirogue]

[Pirogue]

[1stTake]

That last pic looks like Southall is just waiting for the shooter.

[Cajun Express]

Originally posted by Chuck
How long has the Sunbelt had an east west setup?

I am fairly sure this is the second seson with this set up.

[Turbine]

Posted on Delphi by Jay Walker

The Projected RPI for UL is 51 as of this morning. That is based on the Cajuns winning the remainder of their regular season games, and our non conference opponents having a 33-32 record the rest of the way.

The projected rpi has gone up in the last two weeks because of the Cajuns win over NMSU which was projected as a loss, and several upsets by our non conference opponents (Loyola-Chicago beating Butler, for example.)

IF the Cajuns run the table and there are some more upsets by our opponents, the RPI could be higher.

Now, about the Mid Major Top Ten. Of the teams ranked in the ESPN poll and the top ten of college insider, the Cajuns have the sixth best RPI currently. Creighton (43), Butler (44),, gonzaga (46), Weber St. (52) and Kent (57) are currently higher.

By the Way, the WAC teams are not eligible for the mid major poll since they are a "major" conference in basketball.

The Cajuns RPI is higher than every single WAC team

The source of the info

[1stTake]

Jay Walker just said the Cajuns are the first team in the country to win their division. Yahoooooo!!!

[Crawfish]

This was some quotes I dug up from pre-season and early season about my takes on the Cajuns. They all were copied off of the archived messages at Delphi. Of course I would never gloat but.. well, you be the judge:

October 12:
“My opinion of this team is that if Southall and Laurie Bridges become eligible they will again contend for the SBC West title and with a few breaks could win it all. If they do not become eligible, they will still be a top 4 team in the conference. If anyone else who attended has any observations, I would love to hear some other views.”

October 25:

“The above statement is not correct. Even though Mike did not work out as much as some had hope during the summer and goofed off academically, last year he was our best player and the other players seemed to like him. He is not a cancer in the locker room has an average work ethic during practice. Even if he does not make the NBA, if he can become eligible, he is still the 2nd best player in the conference this year, the best next year. What we have done is form a lynch mob based on opinions of people who admitted they only saw him play a few times or not all. I have seen Mike play at least 15 times and have definitely the best freshman I have seen at UL. I have also seen him in practice and he is certainly no "Cancer." The kid is a bit immature, but how many of us were not at that age. Let's at least find out if he becomes eligible before we prepare to string him up!”


November 23:

“If we get the big guy back, this team could be special.”

December 12:

The Big Cheese could have just stood under the basket last night and scored 50+ points. There was nobody that could defend him on that team. As odd as it sounds, Jesse had mercy on those guys by keeping Southall, Boyd, and the bunny out for most of the game.

December 17: (to Reggie)

As far as the team this year, I wish you had the opportunity to see how our man Brad Boyd has improved this year on his shooting fundamentals, you would be proud. This year’s club has more talent on the court than I have seen since I began to follow the Cajuns in the middle 80s. That does not necessarily translate to wins though, because as a coach you know that they have to keep their heads screwed on right in order to be champs. Perhaps your example of the team from 2000 should be used to inspire these guys on the value of teamwork. I just hope they can be their best and represent the school honorable, as you guys did.
Fish


December 16:

“To a lesser extent, the bunny was doing the same things last year. He has just gotten a little better as a senior has. I saw no negatives in the starting 5's performance tonight. I also really like Cedric Williams. Before he gets out of here, I think he will be a star in this league. This team has the POTENTIAL to be very good this this year, if they can stay together and not get full of themselves. Southall looks even better than he did as a freshman, and that was great. Cameron is quietly making a name for himself, (remember the 3 point shot?) Over 70% from the free throw line as a team.”

November 14:

“If Mike comes back, this team could be very special. Like I said, last night the "D" did not show up, but I have seen in the scrimmages that they are capable of playing good defense, so I am not overly concerned”

“I don't know what our record will be at the end of the season, but I have seen a great deal of improvement on the part of 3 key players, Johnson, Boyd and KJ. Kj has not gotten rattled yet this year and seems to be playing in control most of the time. His passing has improved greatly and he is passing off rather than shooting in a lot of cases. When he has shot, it has been open looks or lay-ups, possibly from the fast break. The bunny is playing in control and is flying to the basket this year. Brad has been shooting lights out from the perimeter. Again, I don't have a clue what their record will be, But if Southall comes back this team could be much better than last year, but so could the rest of the belt.
This assessment is based on 3 scrimmages I attended as well as the game last night.”

November 28:

“I think anyone who is panicking is slightly premature. This is a very good team, but even with that you still have to go out and play the games. Mcneese wanted this one a lot more than the Cajuns did and it was evident from the very start. My father in law, neutral observer) was impressed with both clubs. Personally, I was a bit disappointed in the play of the Cajuns, but not surprised. If Southall comes back, this team will be excellent. Even without him they are a pretty good team.”

December 19:

“As I have said before, this is the most complete Cajun team talent wise I have seen. (Before anyone jumps on me, I was not here in the 70s.) That does not automatically translate into wins, they still have to show up. Last night they were out-hustled in the first half by the B-C team. Fortunately the Cajuns flexed their muscles in the second half and put these guys away. The coming road games will provide some answers, but so far I am excited about this team.”

[Zeebart21]

Awright, now your overdoing it!

Can you tell me what the market will do in the next 6 mths????



Z.

[wku_hilltopper]

Using the RPI to project your end of the season RPI, isn't very reliable. A better way to do this is to use the Sagarin Predictor ratings, with the RPI.

Sagarin Predictor ratings has being right on 76% of all D1 games this season. By using this with the RPI to project out ULL's season through the Sunbelt tourney. ULL will finish the season with a record of 23-7, a RPI of 40 and SOS of 112. That's the good news, the bad news for ULL fans is it also projects ULL to lose to WKU in the championship of the Sunbelt tourney.Projected RPI from my site

[NewsCopy]

Advertiser-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE — Mention Anthony Johnson, and soaring dunks and dazzling moves around the basket come to mind.

The UL Lafayette senior forward can still do those things better than most, as reflected in his 14.7 points per game (second on the team) and 5.5 rebounds each night (also second) for the Sun Belt Conference West Division champions.

When the Ragin’ Cajuns clinched the West with last Saturday’s 69-58 victory at New Mexico State, Johnson scored 18 points and had 7 rebounds.

But Johnson’s contribution to the clincher went beyond offense. He also made life miserable for NMSU’s James Moore on defense, helping to limit the Aggies standout to just six shots and a pair of field goals.

The rest of the story

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA Là -- The University of Louisiana men's basketball team clinched at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference West Division title with Saturday night's 69-58 win over New Mexico State.

On an eight-game win streak, the Cajuns (18-6, 10-1) can clinch the SBC West's outright crown with a win in any of their last four games.

UL completed a series sweep of New Mexico State (16-7, 6-5) and wrapped up the top seed for the West Division in the upcoming Sun Belt Tournament for the second-straight season.

The story