In case you missed it...

[Tripple Threat]

The guys finally showed some passion at home and they played in what appeared to me as the most comfortable they've seemed all year. The forced desperation threes were non existent (for the most part). The offensive guard penetration was there...The drops in to Southall were timely... and I believe we now have a guard who isn't worried about his points. Rhet Hebert, along with Adam James hustled. Period. If Adam couldn't grab the rebound, he was punching out. Dwayne's game, as well as everyone else's was in a team rhythm. It was nice to see. I don't know what N TX's three point percentage was before the game, so I can't say that we were the reason for their troubles, but the Cajuns definitely played a tighter defense. My one question to throw out there is why did the motion offense start tonight? Did the team struggle for this long to execute the give and go or did Coach Lee just now start to emphasize it? It's about time. Everyone should continue to go to the games. They are improving and they now seem to be playing without expectation, meaning they know what they're capable of...they did not celebrate too hard after the win. They were supposed to be playing like this a long time ago.

[RaginEsquire06]

Way to go Cajuns! Loved the hustle!

[Clutch0364]

The guys finally showed some passion at home and they played in what appeared to me as the most comfortable they've seemed all year. The forced desperation threes were non existent (for the most part). The offensive guard penetration was there...The drops in to Southall were timely... and I believe we now have a guard who isn't worried about his points. Rhet Hebert, along with Adam James hustled. Period. If Adam couldn't grab the rebound, he was punching out. Dwayne's game, as well as everyone else's was in a team rhythm. It was nice to see. I don't know what N TX's three point percentage was before the game, so I can't say that we were the reason for their troubles, but the Cajuns definitely played a tighter defense. My one question to throw out there is why did the motion offense start tonight? Did the team struggle for this long to execute the give and go or did Coach Lee just now start to emphasize it? It's about time. Everyone should continue to go to the games. They are improving and they now seem to be playing without expectation, meaning they know what they're capable of...they did not celebrate too hard after the win. They were supposed to be playing like this a long time ago.

I love the style of play that coach Lee is using right now. Switching players in and out and getting a lot of different guys involved. They are running the court a lot more and with the type of athletes we have I think that this is the best thing to do.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. – Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns mastery of North Texas in the CAJUNDOME continued in a matchup between the two programs here Thursday evening. The most recent triumph over the Mean Green in the ‘Dome was one of total domination by the Ragin’ Cajuns from the defensive end. UL held North Texas below 30 percent shooting in both halves en route to rolling to a 77-58 victory which helped the squad snap a two-game losing streak. The win was the Cajuns’ eighth straight over North Texas in the CAJUNDOME and helped Louisiana remain unbeaten (8-0) against the Mean Green all-time in the facility. It also kept the Cajuns’ streak alive of never getting swept by NT in a Sun Belt season series. The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-14, 2-7 Sun Belt) performed well in two areas it need to in order to have success against NT. The Cajuns shot 50 percent from the field (28-of-56) and limited the Mean Green (12-8, 5-4 Sun Belt) to only 20 offensive rebounds after surrendering 25 to NT in the team’s earlier meeting this season. Louisiana started slow out of the gate collecting only four points in the first 5:30. A Dwayne Mitchell three-point play at 14:25 triggered an 11-0 run by the hosts which changed the momentum of the contest. When Mitchell stole the ball from Quincy Williams seconds later he raced in for a slam dunk that put the Cajuns on top 9-8. UL would not lose the lead the rest of the game. The final dagger in the Cajuns’ night of domination was a 10-0 run after a Harold Edwards basket at 4:31 trimmed the Cajuns’ lead to 27-19. The Cajuns defense held the Mean Green to only one field goal the rest of the half and as a result stormed off to a 37-24 lead at the break. Michael Southall and Chris Cameron led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 15 points apiece. Dwayne Mitchell scored 13 to join them in double figures and every other Cajun who played scored at least two points. The Cajuns inside game was working as the Cajuns got 24 field goals from inside the three-point line. The rest of the story LOUISIANA SI

[K.Tripucka]

All year long we have watched Barksdale, Turner, Fields and others pass the ball along the perimeter while Coach Lee insisted that they give the ball inside to Southall to create not only opportunities for Southall, but for Mitchell to do what he does best and that is slash and drive. Rhett, although not nearly as talented as Barksdale and Turner understands this concept. And as you saw against Western and again tonight against UNT his first look is ALWAYS to Southall. Then and only then can we start getting shots along the perimeter (not always 3 pointers) that makes us a little more dangerous on offense, and as you all have probably noticed when Southall is involved on offense he does not get into foul trouble on defense which is key. We can pressure the ball on defense if we do not have to rely on Cameron in the middle. We succeded last year on this concept with Hamilton in the middle on defense. Cameron is a role player, which Lee knows very well, and was allowed to use him as such last year and last night and was very succesful at it. If the players would understand and LISTEN to Coach Lee (namely Barksdale, Turner, Pesoli, and Fields) we would be looking at a much different team. That is not "Team Chemistry" that is "Team Concept"

Hebert, James, Cameron are players who understand their roll and accept it. The others need to get on board with Coach Lee.

[Turbine]

That is not "Team Chemistry" that is "Team Concept"

Rack him.

[Tripple Threat]

Talent can only take a player so far. Hebert, James, Cameron and most of the other players played within the rhythm of the game and, in my eyes, did not rush the game... Southall got the ball when he was open, they weren't pressing for three's, and the offense was created rather than forced. I don't believe in limiting players to their "understood roles", most people in general can and will accomplish much more then they believed they ever could; shattering most roles (this concept is instilled by the coach). These guys are at this level because of talent and good instruction, it's now time for them to play by instinct and make the game their asset. It's up to the coach to get them focused and not forget the technicalities. Welcome to my philosophy of basketball. Live it, Love it, Learn it...