2008-09 Men's Hoops Slate

[DestinCajun]

[QUOTE=Zeebart21;125687]
_

_ I don't think that was a moronic post at all. For the past 5 years we have been sitting through some very poor basketball seasons. When we asked what the problem was we were told: "Just wait, Lee is building this thing from the ground up. No Transfers, no JUCO, no academic problems. It will take some time to build this but we will be better off in the long run." Well guess what we have. A program filled with Transfers, JUCOs, a few academic problems, and alot more problems behind the scenes. Now I'm not at all against Transfers and JUCOs. In fact I think that's about the best way to get top quality players when you are a smaller school like us. But I have to call BS here. Too many "superstar" players have underwhelmed, to many seasons of problems in the program. Too many losing seasons. And this new recruit only High School plan which set us back for so many years is thrown out the window? Come on.

If we don't see significant progress this year I think it's time to find a new coach. Lee has had more than enough time to build a strong program. _


1.We went to the NCAA's in Nashville in 2005(basic math shows 2008-2005= 3).

2.Out of a 15 man roster we have 4 transfers/Juco's(filled with Jucos and transfers?).

3. Our academic problems are virtually nil. APR of 1000 for last year.

Finally, Oh wise one..... enlighten all of us to the "alot more problems behind the scenes" of which you speak.

Z

_

Not to be picky because I like your math but Bloom was a transfer from U-Hou. He would make 6.

We need to now cipher in the "W's".

[Zeebart21]

[QUOTE=DestinCajun;125690]
_

_

Not to be picky because I like your math but Bloom was a transfer from U-Hou. He would make 6.

We need to now cipher in the "W's". _

http://www.ragincajuns.com/SportSele...75&SPSID=67314

I got him, big daddy-o! Look at the roster, it shows 4 , including him...who am I missing?

Z

[J-Town Cajun]

_ Just to clarify, Adiefe, Roberson and Batiste do not have a redshirt year available.

Lago and Wallace would be the most likely candidates, but nothing is etched in stone.

I agree with Josh in that Johnson might be poised for a breakout season. _

BOP I think you and Josh are right about Johnson being poised for a breakout season. He contributes in so many ways such as rebounds, steals, blocks, and has a short jumper which many players do not have. We actually have 4 players with a nice mid range jumper in Johnson, Dison, Gradnigo, and Wallace. One of these players should be in the game at all times because that shot at the top of the key or wing is nice to fall back on if the inside or 3 is not open.

BOP do you remember who you stated would be last years most improved player? I seem to remember Willie Lago. I hope you don't jinx Johnson like Lago.

[DestinCajun]

[QUOTE=Zeebart21;125694]
_

_

http://www.ragincajuns.com/SportSele...75&SPSID=67314

I got him, big daddy-o! Look at the roster, it shows 4 , including him...who am I missing?

Z _

No biggie, I was looking at the players with "TR" next to their names + Bloom.

[Cajunsmike]

_ For the record I love transfers. Over the past 10 years they have been some of our best players. My sarcastic remark about transfers is more to do with fans that were praising Lee for going strictly HS a few years ago (we all saw how that turned out).
Also, many people here give Lee a pass when he blew up the program. UL had to start a major rebuilding program because of his own recruiting mistakes. During those years he fielded some of the worst Cajun teams in the past 30 years.
But, that is all in the past. This is the year progress should be made. We will probably not lead the league in shooting, so it will be important for the bigs to get some put backs and limit shots on the other end. If they can do that they should be able to win 20 games. How's that for optimism! _

Although we may not lead the league in shooting, I am optimistic we will greatly improve in that area. Reason I say that is because we may have brought in a point guard who can get the ball to the shooters in good position. Consider how much Gradnigo improved last year and the indications Bureau gave of being capable in that regard. Bureau did hit the wall late in the year but he should be stronger this year. Also, Daigle will likely get more open shots as he and McCoy may occasionally be in the game at the same time. You are correct also in that getting putbacks from the bigs helps the %. Maybe they can also provide some good outlet passes following misses which will lead to high % shots. What I think can also help the % is defensive steals. When the shot blocker Adeife joins the rotation, the perimeter guys may be more aggressive defensively which can result in those steals.

[cajun4life]

_ We are 37-52 over the past 3 years. That is terrible for a proud program like ours. To date the only success Lee has had is with a loaded Evans team.
These are facts. So far Lee has not delivered the goods. I am "glass half full" that he will turn it around this year. If not he should be shown the door. _

Its been nearly 35 years since we have been a relevant program on the national scene. Money is the only answer to keeping all of our program alive and well. Lee is a good hire for our current situation, same with Bustle and the rest of our coaches. We can complain about the on the field/court performances, but ultimately its the performance of the athletic department as well as the administration who is failing to meet our expectations as fans.

[CajunCanaille]

_ What is so moronic? UL has a history of not fielding a complete team at the start of the season. In most of those seasons, we start off slow and improve as the year goes on. The problem with this is that we have to get into the Conference finals to even make it to the NIT!
Last year we were killed down low. Now we will have to wait until Dec15th to get our big guys. We will then need a couple of games to 'gel". I know the circumstances are different, but this trend of starting out the season without your full team is frustrating.
BTW, since I live out of town you will partially get your wish. Should I cancel my check to the rebounders club? _

It is moronic b/c you are comparing Jesse Evans and Coach Lee. They are totally different in that area. Evans players had to wait till midseason to play b/c they were inelligible due to grades. That is not the case for Lee. They are inelligible b/c they are transfer students. If you have a problem with that rule then I think you need to contact the NCAA.

[CajunCanaille]

_ I don't think that was a moronic post at all. For the past 5 years we have been sitting through some very poor basketball seasons. When we asked what the problem was we were told: "Just wait, Lee is building this thing from the ground up. No Transfers, no JUCO, no academic problems. It will take some time to build this but we will be better off in the long run." Well guess what we have. A program filled with Transfers, JUCOs, a few academic problems, and alot more problems behind the scenes. Now I'm not at all against Transfers and JUCOs. In fact I think that's about the best way to get top quality players when you are a smaller school like us. But I have to call BS here. Too many "superstar" players have underwhelmed, to many seasons of problems in the program. Too many losing seasons. And this new recruit only High School plan which set us back for so many years is thrown out the window? Come on.

If we don't see significant progress this year I think it's time to find a new coach. Lee has had more than enough time to build a strong program. _

BTW....I would also like to hear about

I think Lee has done a great job at building this program back up. We have to remember he was basically starting from scratch. There weren't many freshman that he was left with that were worth a crap. He and his staff have recruited people such as Gradnigo, Bureau, Daigle, Dison, Johnson, Gary, etc. These are good young players who are laying a solid foundation. Of course he is going to have some transfers b/c you have to fill holes. There aren't that many 6'10+ guys w/ good basketball skills in this nation. The ones that do fit that criteria go to "big" schools. Unfortunately we aren't a "big" school. I also don't think Lee's rebuilding set us back. We were already on the road to failure before that. Evans did a very poor job of recruiting for this program. A good example of that is when Coach Lee (yes Coach Lee) has Bo McCaleb ready to commit to UL, Evans decided to go with his own recruit instead in Chris Williams. I don't know if you remember him but he didn't see the court. I had him in a class and he had the intelligence of a goldfish.

Last season we won the SBCW title. We started the season off bad mainly b/c we had a bunch of guys who have never played together. But this team showed great consistency in the final stretch of the season. I do agree with you however that Lee's time is running out. He does need to show something this season. I think we should have a good shot at making it to the dance this year. It all depends on those big men and how well they play. The rest of our game is there.

Bottom line is Lee has done a good job building the program and now he needs to show that he can coach what he has built. I believe he will be able to do that.

[MetryCajun]

_ It is moronic b/c you are comparing Jesse Evans and Coach Lee. They are totally different in that area. Evans players had to wait till midseason to play b/c they were inelligible due to grades. That is not the case for Lee. They are inelligible b/c they are transfer students. If you have a problem with that rule then I think you need to contact the NCAA. _

I still don't understand why you have to call me a moron and ask me not to support the team. I understand the difference you are implying. However, the result is the same.... we are starting the season without our full compliment of players! Not having all our players will probably cost us some wins.
You act like my comments are out from left field. MANY people feel the same way I do. Whatever the circumstances have been, Lee has presided over a horrible 3 year stretch of basketball. If he was at a big name university he would already be fired. Luckily for him he has adminitrative support and may ultimately successful. Believe it or not I hope he wins big this year.

[DestinCajun]

Whatever the circumstances have been, Lee has presided over a horrible 3 year stretch of basketball.

Two for sure since '04-'05 but I think most fans saw last season as a really pleasant surprise given the number of first year players we had on the court. I'm hoping it represented the beginning of a movement up to the level where we are (again) a consistent contender for the SBC title and NCAA bids.