Bob Marlin

[Turbine]

Pure speculation. No freshman in Marlin's tenure has been freshman of the year IIRC, though Long might have been.

To my point he "always" makes players better.

This year I realized he only focuses on the starting lineup.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Clearly all coaches make players better or they couldn’t keep their jobs. Well apparently Talbot is the exception to that rule.

[SMD7636]

I would rather spend high coach’s salaries on the student athletes for charter flights, facilities, or additional staff.

[zephyr]

The forfeited games wasn’t on Jesse, instead on the administration. Let’s not forget how that went down.

Jesse was an APR nightmare but had good players.

[CajunAmos]

A class with no big. They are in much bigger trouble next year no matter how much talent we have in the backcourt. Which I agree, Wilson & Julien will help a ton, but we will much much worse without Gant in the middle.

The one addition of Johnson might make a large part in replacing Gant.

[CrazyCajun]

The one addition of Johnson might make a large part in replacing Gant.

Last year Gant? Or this year Gant? 20.4 points 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks and defensive player of the year will be a huge accomplishment for a first year transfer. I sure hope so

[zephyr]

The one addition of Johnson might make a large part in replacing Gant.

I don't think he's going to be as effective rebounding and blocking shots or just being a rim protector in general. My understanding is Johnson will fit in nicely from an offensive standpoint but we are going to be really small in the middle and need impact players in the front court.

[CajunAmos]

I don't think he's going to be as effective rebounding and blocking shots or just being a rim protector in general. My understanding is Johnson will fit in nicely from an offensive standpoint but we are going to be really small in the middle and need impact players in the front court.

He rebounded OK (6/gm in conference, 4.8 overall) as a freshman at St Louis. He went down to 3.8/game in his sophomore years but averaged 9.1 points and led the team in FG% at .394. He was second on the team in blocked shots with 20 but that's not close to Gant's 2/game.

I agree we'll need some inside presence that's not currently on the roster. I'm guessing that's why they offered Smith, the Mississippi JUCO. I'm not sure how effective Julien will be inside as I haven't seen him play. The couple of times I saw Kristian Lafayette play this year he worked very hard defensively fronting post players inside but he doesn't have the bulk to play behind them and stop from being backed down.

[Turbine]

Jesse was an APR nightmare but had good players.

Jessie had zero encounters with APR.

If APR had been in effect during Jessie's tenure, you'd be exactly right.

[Balanced_view]

Last year Gant? Or this year Gant? 20.4 points 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks and defensive player of the year will be a huge accomplishment for a first year transfer. I sure hope so

im sure Johnson and Julian can combine for at least 20pt. 8 boards and at least 1 block per game.