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#134 Louisiana
Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
Sun Belt
2004-05: 20-11,
11-4, 2nd
West
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
The
Ragin’ Cajuns
only had seven players last season that averaged over ten
minutes per game. One of those players left early to play
professionally, two have run out of eligibility and another is
awaiting a ruling from the NCAA on another year of playing at
the Cajundome. That may sound grim, but a group of newcomers
should help ULL stay competitive in the Sun Belt.
Who’s Out:
Tiras Wade led the team with 20.3 points per contest and will
try his luck in the draft after his junior campaign. Fellow
guard Orien Greene averaged 11.4 points and a team high 4.0
assists. Forward Brian Hamilton averaged 13.7 points and a team
high 7.6 rebounds. That is a lot of missing talent. Adding to
the loss of players is the uncertain status of Dwayne Mitchell.
The 6-5 guard, who started all 31 games for Lafayette, must wait
on a decision by the NCAA to grant him another year of
eligibility. Mitchell played one exhibition contest for Auburn
before transferring, which the NCAA has counted as a year of
eligibility. The decision may not come down until the fall.
Who’s In:
The talent level may not be
replaced, but the depth questions will be answered, or at least
better than last year. Ed Turner, a transfer from Central
Florida Junior College, via the University of Pittsburgh should
be starting. At 6-8, Turner can play either forward position. He
was highly recruited coming out of high school and will make a
big splash in the Sun Belt. Wingman Jake Fields will battle for
minutes. He averaged 15 points per game last season at
Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. Eventually Booker Woodfox
could be the star of the class. The 6-1 guard has an extremely
accurate shot and can score in bunches. Point guard Maurice
Barksdale could earn a spot in the starting lineup. Even if he
doesn’t earn one, he may end up there anyway if Dwayne Mitchell
can’t come back. Lucian Graham, a transfer from Long Beach State
rounds out Robert Lee’s group of newcomers. Graham started six
games for LBSU as a freshman, averaging 5.6 points and 2.2
rebounds. The 6-7 sophomore will add more depth to the wings.
Walk-on Rhett Hebert returns as a sophomore after redshirting
last season.
Who to Watch:
Chris Cameron is the returning
leading scorer and rebounder, with 8.2 and 3.3 respectively. The
6-11, 270 pound center needs to flourish his senior season if
the Cajuns want to make the post season. Luckily the depth is
much improved so the big man can remain well rested.
Projected
Conference Rank:
After losing so much talent, a 3rd
place finish overall in the Sun Belt is truly a testament to the
success of the program. The newcomers will need to step in
quickly if the Cajun fans want to forget about Tiras Wade and
Orien Greene relatively quickly.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting
Five:
Dwayne Mitchell,
Senior, Guard, 10.4 points per game
Lucian Graham,
Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Ed Turner, Junior,
Forward, DNP last season
Spencer Ford, Senior,
Forward, 4.6 points per game
Chris Cameron, Senior,
Center, 8.2 points per game
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