Meanwhile, in Natchitoches

[Cajunsmike]

The question about Marlin was not player development or X and O coaching, it was recruiting when he came in. I think most fans prior to Marlin were tired of coaches who didn't seem to be able to execute a game plan in a game. Evans and Lee could recruit but they sometimes seemed lost on the court. Marlin was supposed to be the polar opposite of these two guys. A tactical guy who knew the game and was known for getting the most out of the players he had.

This year, he finally has been able to get what most agree is some serious talent into this program but we are losing some games that we should be winning. I like the hire and I think most here did as well. I'm just wondering, as bad as these losses are, if this basketball team will in some ways mirror this year's football team. Look bad and misfire at the beginning of the season but catch fire when it matters?

I hope you are right about catching fire when it matters most. However the road problems the team has me concerned if that occur. To win on the road you have to be mentally tough and that requires team leadership. I do not think any one guy has developed into that role. JJ Davenport spoke for the team in pre season functions however his injury is preventing him from playing. If you are not on the court, you cannot lead. I also think Kasey Shepherd can develop into a leader but he has been somewhat inconsistent to date. Shawn Long has lots of talent but he lets his emotions get the best of him at times. He also does not have the personality to be a leader. He also needs to play smarter with fouls. Difference between Northwestern game and Tech game was foul calls in the 2nd half. Against Tech, he played great in the 2nd half after sitting out most of the first half. Saturday, he only played seventeen minutes because of foul calls early in both halves. We had no one to protect the rim as a result and the quick guy named West got into the lane and made things happen as a result. Washington is a fundamentally sound player for a freshman but people score too easily on him inside. Of course better defensive guard play would also help. Bottom line is that until they show they can win on the road they will not reach their potential despite talent. Road victories require more than talent.

[CajunRage]

Wrong, the Sun Belt ain't helping our RPI one bit, so the first 15 games of the year are critical.

You're missing the point. The early games matter to RPI. The RPI formula this early in the season is not a good indicator of where teams are at this point.

[CrazyCajun]

Just wondering, how is our great X and O coach who finally has the talent losing to teams with less talent and coaches who aren't as good at X and O's? So what's the problem?

[CajunRage]

Just wondering, how is our great X and O coach who finally has the talent losing to teams with less talent and coaches who aren't as good at X and O's? So what's the problem?

I haven't been to as many games as I would like, but the ones I have seen, I saw players trying to play too fast and turn the ball over. You can sit players for that. You can run them into the ground for that. You can yell at them until you are blue in the face for that. Until they decide to slow things down, we are going to struggle. Shooting %, defense, etc. is all on par for a pretty good team. Turnovers are the difference.

[CrazyCajun]

I haven't been to as many games as I would like, but the ones I have seen, I saw players trying to play too fast and turn the ball over. You can sit players for that. You can run them into the ground for that. You can yell at them until you are blue in the face for that. Until they decide to slow things down, we are going to struggle. Shooting %, defense, etc. is all on par for a pretty good team. Turnovers are the difference.

That's the coaches job to convey that, however he needs to. Has he lost the locker room? Is he bringing in the wrong guys? We have been consistently inconsistent. I'm not screaming to fire the guy or anything but at the end of the day you are what you are and it's on the head coach. You can't praise him for the good and deflect the bad.

[cajun4life]

That's the coaches job to convey that, however he needs to. Has he lost the locker room? Is he bringing in the wrong guys? We have been consistently inconsistent. I'm not screaming to fire the guy or anything but at the end of the day you are what you are and it's on the head coach. You can't praise him for the good and deflect the bad.

Exactly my point.

[SlappyCajun]

I would just like to dispel the notion that we were some fluke in the SBC tourney last year that won three games. After we got Bryant Mbamalu back, we were a different team. We won 8 of our last 10 games going into the SBC tourney last year. The two losses were a single digit loss at WKU and a loss at the buzzer at Georgia State. We then won three SBC games in the tourney.

So, going into the Big Dance, we have won 11 of our last 13 games. Including every game at home and on a neutral court.

Our losses at home last year to WKU and Georgia State came right when Bryant came off his injury. If Bob gets the blame for this season and other, he should also get credit for the things he does correctly. And, last year, at the end of the season, we were the best team in the SBC.

[CajunRage]

I would just like to dispel the notion that we were some fluke in the SBC tourney last year that won three games. After we got Bryant Mbamalu back, we were a different team. We won 8 of our last 10 games going into the SBC tourney last year. The two losses were a single digit loss at WKU and a loss at the buzzer at Georgia State. We then won three SBC games in the tourney.

So, going into the Big Dance, we have won 11 of our last 13 games. Including every game at home and on a neutral court.

Our losses at home last year to WKU and Georgia State came right when Bryant came off his injury. If Bob gets the blame for this season and other, he should also get credit for the things he does correctly. And, last year, at the end of the season, we were the best team in the SBC.

To express and cajun4life, it is a fluke when we win and marlin's fault when we lose. That's because they have this preconceived notion that marlin is not the guy and we should move on no matter what he accomplishes.

[cajun4life]

I would just like to dispel the notion that we were some fluke in the SBC tourney last year that won three games. After we got Bryant Mbamalu back, we were a different team. We won 8 of our last 10 games going into the SBC tourney last year. The two losses were a single digit loss at WKU and a loss at the buzzer at Georgia State. We then won three SBC games in the tourney.

So, going into the Big Dance, we have won 11 of our last 13 games. Including every game at home and on a neutral court.

Our losses at home last year to WKU and Georgia State came right when Bryant came off his injury. If Bob gets the blame for this season and other, he should also get credit for the things he does correctly. And, last year, at the end of the season, we were the best team in the SBC.

I can agree with that. But I will still say that in 5 years we have seen consistent play over an extended period twice.

[cajun4life]

To express and cajun4life, it is a fluke when we win and marlin's fault when we lose. That's because they have this preconceived notion that marlin is not the guy and we should move on no matter what he accomplishes.

How long did it take you to decide if Ricky Bustle was the guy? How long did it take you to decide if Hudspeth was the guy?