In the weeks leading up to this season, the initial thoughts I had about the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns hoops team was that this would be a rebuilding year with the losses of key players like Shawn Long and Kasey Shepherd. That definitely is not the case this season with how well this team has started, winning eight straight and making it into the Mid-Major Top 25 last week.
I finally got a chance to see this team and their newly renovated home court last weekend and I liked what I saw. This team looks very strong and could cause some havoc once Sun Belt Conference play starts. There’s a lot to like about this team’s energy and ability to go on big runs has been a big part of their success during this streak. But that’s not the only thing that is pushing the Cajuns to the next level.
Killer B’s
The Ragin Cajuns are thanking their lucky stars that Frank Barltey transferred from BYU last season. The Baton Rouge native has been an absolute beast since he took the court, averaging 19.1 points a game and going all out. Bryce Washington is the other member of this combination and has filled the void that Long left and then some with seven double-doubles. These two are leading this team and it’s not even close.
Playing With Purpose
The Ragin Cajuns are performing well to start the season and it seems like they’re all playing for someone who was supposed to be with them. Herman Williams, who passed away over the summer has been a driving force for this team. You can hear it from the players after Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech and see it on the court with a red chair where he would be. That purpose has driven this team early on this season and will be the fire that could possibly fuel this team making it back to March Madness.
Rough Stretch Before Conference Play
The Ragin Cajuns have an interesting next three games before their conference slate starts. You start off with a road game against Georgia, who has gotten off to a good start which is followed by a quick trip to New Orleans to take on the Privateers. UNO has been a middle of the road squad with one player leading the way in Erik Thomas and with the fact that this game is just before the football team kicks off in the Superdome means that the Cajuns fans will be out in full force. Pepperdine closes out the non-conference slate and could be given some trouble in this one if they overlook the Waves as they’ve started off with a 4-6 record. If they can come out of this relatively unscathed, I like this team’s chances of causing havoc in the Sun Belt conference. I’m mainly concerned with the likes of Arkansas State and UT Arlington, the latter of which has been a giant killer of sorts.
-Clint Domingue