The tremendous start the Ragin’ Cajuns basketball team had to the ’16-’17 season is beginning to fade. It included an 8-game winning streak and a blowout win on the road against Little Rock. That was so long ago it, it feels as if it was last year. (Actually, January 2.) The Cajuns continued to roll with a home win over ULM, but have since dropped a pair to the Georgia schools, most recently a 101-86 drubbing to rival Georgia State.
It’s not difficult to see the Cajuns weakness. In three of their last four losses the defense has been lacking. And that’s being kind. Arkansas State shot 58% for the game (Cajuns lost 74-71), Georgia Southern hit 59% in the 2nd half (Cajuns lost 81-76) while the Panthers nailed 62% of al of their attempts Monday night.
This version of Louisiana’s team needs to toughen up and do it in a hurry. For his size (6’6”), Bryce Washington is a tremendous rebounder, among the nation’s leaders. But he is the back end of the defense and the Cajuns have given up too many layups and dunks in the last few games. By no means am I suggesting Washington ‘take a shot’ at an opposing player. I would never do such a thing. But he needs to set the tone and make sure anyone driving all the way to basket earns those two points. If necessary, from the free throw line.
Saturday’s opponent, Texas State is coming off a huge win at Troy, who had just crushed Sun Belt pre-season favorite UT-Arlington. The Mavericks, who the Cajuns play next Monday, have lost 2 of 3 and looking to right the ship.
After seeing their winning streak snapped at the end of last year and having lost 3 of their last 5, the Cajuns need to play better defensively before they find themselves too far down the rabbit hole/Sun Belt Conference standings. Still plenty of time to recover and Saturday in San Marcos would be a good place to start.