Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Sun Belt (27-6, 16-2)
Louisiana took their high powered offense and cruised through the Sun Belt with an impressive 16-2 conference mark. Coach Bob Marlin has had some very good teams during his time with the Ragin’ Cajuns, but this group is arguably his best yet.
Big Wins: 12/1 at Nicholls (105-80), 1/18 at Texas-Arlington (77-65), 2/10 at Georgia Southern (102-91)
Bad Losses: 11/10 at Mississippi (76-94), 2/8 at Georgia State (92-106), 3/3 Little Rock (61-72)
Coach: Bob Marlin
Why They Can Surprise:
Louisiana can score in bunches. Frank Bartley leads the way, averaging 17.7 points per game. He can use his 6-3, 215 pound frame to attack the basket or step out and consistent knock down three-pointers. If the opposition spends too much time attempting to contain Bartley, Johnathan Stove will make them pay. Stove is not much of a shooter, but the senior is extremely efficient inside the arc. JaKeenan Gant and Bryce Washington are the frontcourt scorers. Gant averages 13.8 points per game, can stretch the defense with his shooting and is a solid rebounder as well. Washington is a monster on the glass and averages 10.5 rebounds per game. When Washington is on the floor, this is a team that can compete with anybody on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
As has been the case all year for Louisiana, their success or failure will depend on their defense. With Marcus Stroman running the point and players like Malik Marquetti, Justin Miller and Jerekius Davis more than capable of adding even more scoring threats to the lineup, Louisiana is going to score. Stopping the other team is the issue. But with plenty of depth available, Coach Marlin can keep the intensity up on the defensive end. If that happens and the shots continue to fall, this is a team that can pull off a surprise or two in the tournament.
Probable Starters:
Marcus Stroman, Junior, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 6.4 apg
Frank Bartley, Senior, Guard, 17.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 3.6 rpg
Malik Marquetti, Junior, Guard, 8.4 ppg, 1.9 apg, 3.6 rpg
Bryce Washington, Senior, Forward, 10.5 ppg, 2.1 apg. 10.6 rpg
JaKeenan Gant, Junior, Forward, 13.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.3 bpg
Key Role Players:
Johnathan Stove, Senior, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 1.7 apg
Cedric Russell, Freshman, Guard, 5.6 ppg
Jerekius Davis, Sophomore, Forward, 3.7 ppg
Justin Miller, Sophomore, Forward, 7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 84.0 (13th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.9 (138, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.8 (75, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.2 (130, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.7 (85, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.6 (95, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.5 (29, 1)
Rebound Margin: 7.2 (12, 1)
Assists Per Game: 17.5 (8, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (236, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 CIT First Round win over Texas A&M
2016 CIT Second Round win over Furman
2016 CIT Quarterfinal loss to UC Irvine
2016 CIT First Round loss to Furman
2015 CIT First Round win over Incarnate Word
2015 CIT Second Round win over Sam Houston State
2015 CIT Quarterfinal loss to Evansville
2014 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Creighton
2012 CIT First Round loss to Rice
*all team stats through 3/4
