MBB G2 Final: Louisiana 65, Tennessee 87

[ZoomZoom]

Likely next 4 years.

Last year should have been a good memorable year; we were good, deep, healthy and lucky until the end of the season. Neither issues were in the staff's control, health and luck. Last year's team was unselfish, played team ball and was fun to watch when all was well.

This year, 50% FT at TN and not being as deep this year is obvious. Consistent teams year in and out are fleeting in mid majors. Butler and the like, who go all in on basketball, cannot sustain year in and year out greatness, much less grasp the brass ring. The Butlers of the world might parlay themselves into "major" conferences, but at the end of the day, they'll be the Vanderbilts (football) of their league. Ocassionally good but never good enough.

[MetryCajun]

When I look at matchups like this I try to find players for UL who would start for the other team. If we have a couple, I figure we have a reasonable chance of winning. In the case of Tennessee and Kansas none of our players would start for them. It is more likely that only Gant would be given a scholarship. We will not win these games with the current talent we have. That said, we have top tier SBC talent. Winning the league and going to the NCAA tournament are attainable goals.

[Turbine]

When I look at matchups like this I try to find players for UL who would start for the other team. If we have a couple, I figure we have a reasonable chance of winning. In the case of Tennessee and Kansas none of our players would start for them. It is more likely that only Gant would be given a scholarship. We will not win these games with the current talent we have. That said, we have top tier SBC talent. Winning the league and going to the NCAA tournament are attainable goals.

Love your analysis comparison tool.

Since I rarely watch opponents till the actual game, I could mostly use your excellent tool in postgame hindsight

[HoustonCajun]

As for game itself Ross Cook had an excellent analysis in post game. Contest was lost in second five minutes of first half when Vols pulled off 20 to 4 run. In that stretch the Cajuns had several of their 12 turnovers. Vols backed off defensively and when they did the Cajuns tried to penetrate but the size of Tennessee created turnovers and forced shots. My solution for that is simple but something we do very little of and that is to penetrate only partially and take the mid range shot. Granted that is difficult to do but that way the length does not affect you as much. Other than that first half run, the game was basically even. Had the Cajuns made a fEw more free throws they could have “won” the second half. It is encouraging they only had 2 turnovers the entire 2nd half. Still, to compete with a team like Tennessee, we will need to bring in a lot more length via recruiting. There is a reason they are a Top 10 team. Hopefully our guys learned something from this and can work on concerns exposed tonight.

That is what is so perplexing. Time and time again we don't move the ball around, 4 players stand around the perimeter while one guy tries to penetrate. He fails, no one is in position for a rebound, opponent rebounds and either fast breaks on us or runs a motion offense that our guys seem to have no idea how to defend and they get an easy shot. We played OK the first 5 minutes with good ball movement, abandoned that and Tennessee went in a 20-4 run that determined the game.

It's not just the Tennessee game. We do this time and time again. We get away with it against inferior competition, but against higher level competition even like GA State, we lose when we revert to this. We seem to start out with a game plan that goes awry when we start playing the isolation game. Marlin just let's them continue to do this like he doesn't have a clue. So sick of watching one on one basketball.

[zephyr]

Kentucky = Grossly overrated to date. Duke throttled them by 30+

LOL. They are still Kentucky with some of the best players in the country. They aren't playing well but will probably round into shape come late in the season. Fact is we wouldn't go in there and even compete with them which is what you are avoiding. You remember Ole Miss last year?

[zephyr]

It’s the annual discussion, no biggie. One camp thinks the coach is horrible, the schedule is either too soft or we should be competing with #1 Kansas and #6 Tennessee (Alabama and Oklahoma for football equlivants). Another camp longs for the days of Marty and Jessie with an occasional marquee win. Then there’s the camp that remembers Blackham and beating #1 Georgetown, Kansas, Michigan State, etc and those days are not coming back because the deck is stacked thanks to ESPN and the P5 plan. And some simply like basketball. Cut and paste for next year.

Overstatement post of the year.

[Balanced_view]

There is no reason why Louisiana should not have a good mid major basketball team that competes with top 25 teams. It happens all over the country. You need 5 good players and a good coach. I've seen it happen here before when I was in college. We used to compete with these teams not long ago. Most of you may not like Jessie Evans but that was the last time we would compete with top 25 teams. Just saying.

actually having only 5 good players is what we seen last night. you need 8-10 to compete with top 25 teams. the new comers will take some time to jel with the returners. they may have 8 good players by years end. AND you lost me with the mention of good coach and Jessie Evans in the same discussion.

[Balanced_view]

Jessie's teams could indeed compete. ANd had off court issues and other "issues". But they would handle any Marlin team any day. I'm not expecting to win this game against a potential sweet sixteen school. Just show up better after 8 years ..

off court issues an other issues. too funny. but totally correct, Jessie's teams would handle any of Marlins teams.

[Balanced_view]

As for game itself Ross Cook had an excellent analysis in post game. Contest was lost in second five minutes of first half when Vols pulled off 20 to 4 run. In that stretch the Cajuns had several of their 12 turnovers. Vols backed off defensively and when they did the Cajuns tried to penetrate but the size of Tennessee created turnovers and forced shots. My solution for that is simple but something we do very little of and that is to penetrate only partially and take the mid range shot. Granted that is difficult to do but that way the length does not affect you as much. Other than that first half run, the game was basically even. Had the Cajuns made a fEw more free throws they could have “won” the second half. It is encouraging they only had 2 turnovers the entire 2nd half. Still, to compete with a team like Tennessee, we will need to bring in a lot more length via recruiting. There is a reason they are a Top 10 team. Hopefully our guys learned something from this and can work on concerns exposed tonight.

mike, i also saw a lot to like from the game. the missed Ft's hurt bad. bad 3pt percentage ( most were open shots) didn't help and that happens, and the the early turnovers as you mentioned killed us. but the rest of the game we played even with a top 10 team with home court advantages being given ( often) and they shot the ball very well.

[CajunRebel]

That is what is so perplexing. Time and time again we don't move the ball around, 4 players stand around the perimeter while one guy tries to penetrate. He fails, no one is in position for a rebound, opponent rebounds and either fast breaks on us or runs a motion offense that our guys seem to have no idea how to defend and they get an easy shot. We played OK the first 5 minutes with good ball movement, abandoned that and Tennessee went in a 20-4 run that determined the game.

It's not just the Tennessee game. We do this time and time again. We get away with it against inferior competition, but against higher level competition even like GA State, we lose when we revert to this. We seem to start out with a game plan that goes awry when we start playing the isolation game. Marlin just let's them continue to do this like he doesn't have a clue. So sick of watching one on one basketball.

I don’t know what team you’ve been watching. We were 14th in the nation in assists last year. We generally move the ball damn well.

Playing the #6 team in the nation tends to make it tougher to pass the ball around.