LA Officially Opens Men's Basketball Practice

[Cajunsmike]

Aaaahhhhhh got it! Thanks Jaybird. So, that whole newcomer thing is kinda squishy. 🤔

😉

Only guys who did not participate in the summer workouts were recent signee Calvin Temple and walk on Mason Aucoin. Temple was at IUPUI during the summer and did not get here until after the fall semester started. Mason is an engineering major and had a professional summer internship. The number 9 is also misleading as two of the “newcomers” were here last season but redshirted. Kobe Julien did so because of injury and Jalen Johnson did so due to being a transfer.

[CajunT]

As I stated in another thread my bigger expectations are on next year I will say that if the Cajuns don’t at least make a trip to the Smoothie King Center this season I will be disappointed.

How many teams qualify for the SBC Tournament?

[Cajunsmike]

.....Oh I love to do this especially to MIKE.....WHAT IS THE STARTING LINEUP AND THE TOP RESERVES?

Heard to say as I don't know who will be point guard. I could be completely wrong but here is a guess. Temple at point guard, Russell at the two guard, Julien at three, Dou Gueye at 4, and Smith at 5. Johnson will be sixth man and play as much as any of the 3 to 5 guys. Some may be surprised to see me predict a pure freshman will start at point guard and I am saying that simply due to his credentials. You are not the Mississippi Player of Year in his class without talent. Freshman Wilson will see significant time especially when we need his defense. After that everything is up for grabs. However I will say that PJ Hardy ends up playing more every year than people expect in the pre season and he is the only scholarship senior so he will get time somewhere.

[Cajunsmike]

How many teams qualify for the SBC Tournament?

10 but only final four get to New Orleans. Top 2 regular season seeds automatically get there. Seeds 3 and 4 get home games for chance to get there. Others have to play multiple games.

[Hatch]

Heard to say as I don't know who will be point guard. I could be completely wrong but here is a guess. Temple at point guard, Russell at the two guard, Julien at three, Dou Gueye at 4, and Smith at 5. Johnson will be sixth man and play as much as any of the 3 to 5 guys. Some may be surprised to see me predict a pure freshman will start at point guard and I am saying that simply due to his credentials. You are not the Mississippi Player of Year in his class without talent. Freshman Wilson will see significant time especially when we need his defense. After that everything is up for grabs. However I will say that PJ Hardy ends up playing more every year than people expect in the pre season and he is the only scholarship senior so he will get time somewhere.

I can see a situation where Russell starts alongside either Hardy or Wilson and the ball handling duties are divided between them. However I hope you are correct on Temple being able to step in as a true freshman as I prefer a true PG running the show. I also think Johnson starts and you see Julien in that 6th man type roll, or maybe Smith comes off the bench for a slightly smaller and quicker starting lineup. I would suspect Durey Cadwell to be a regular in the rotation as well.

[AirBill]

Heard to say as I don't know who will be point guard. I could be completely wrong but here is a guess. Temple at point guard, Russell at the two guard, Julien at three, Dou Gueye at 4, and Smith at 5. Johnson will be sixth man and play as much as any of the 3 to 5 guys. Some may be surprised to see me predict a pure freshman will start at point guard and I am saying that simply due to his credentials. You are not the Mississippi Player of Year in his class without talent. Freshman Wilson will see significant time especially when we need his defense. After that everything is up for grabs. However I will say that PJ Hardy ends up playing more every year than people expect in the pre season and he is the only scholarship senior so he will get time somewhere.

No love for Trajan Wesley? Thought he looked pretty good for a freshman last year. Think he's outclassed that badly?

[zephyr]

As I stated in another thread my bigger expectations are on next year I will say that if the Cajuns don’t at least make a trip to the Smoothie King Center this season I will be disappointed.

Cue the extension

[Grantvb]

Who’s gonna have the breakout year?

[zephyr]

I can see a situation where Russell starts alongside either Hardy or Wilson and the ball handling duties are divided between them. However I hope you are correct on Temple being able to step in as a true freshman as I prefer a true PG running the show. I also think Johnson starts and you see Julien in that 6th man type roll, or maybe Smith comes off the bench for a slightly smaller and quicker starting lineup. I would suspect Durey Cadwell to be a regular in the rotation as well.

I don't think there is any way Julien will be coming off the bench.

[Policarp]

No love for Trajan Wesley? Thought he looked pretty good for a freshman last year. Think he's outclassed that badly?

Trajan is very good......you don't lead a team to 6A championship in TX without a strong point.