Garry Brodhead Returns From Puerto Rico [VIDEO]

Garry Brodhead took his Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team to Puerto Rico, and they came back with some more wins and a 4-1 overall record.

For Brodhead, it was all about the basketball. For the women on the team, the experience was a bit more eye opening.

"For me, I just like playing games. I like basketball stuff. I'm not a vacation guy," Brodhead said with a dry smile. He understood the trip meant a bit more to his young team, "I think there's probably only one kid on that team that's been on an island before...they were in a great mood."

Feel good, play good, right? A 67-59 win over Arkansas and a 60-58 overtime victory against Sacred Heart proved that theory correct in the San Juan shootout.

A trip to Puerto Rico isn't your normal road trip, but a couple away wins were just par for the course for Brodhead's crew. He said they almost prefer going into people's house and handing them a loss.

"I think this is the best road team we've had since I've been here," Brodhead said. There is one part of this trip, and the schedule, he doesn't quite enjoy though. "I really didn't feel comfortable coming back from a trip like this and heading right into a conference game."

Not only is it a conference game, it's a rivalry game against ULM in Monroe.

The Warhawks will surely try to slow down Jaylyn Gordon, who has been the main target of opposing defenses that last few games...and rightfully so.

Gordon's emergence as the go-to, alongside Kia Wilridge's suffocating defense and penetration with the ball, allowed Brodhead to do something this year not many people saw coming: bring Keke Veal off the bench.

Veal's been a key cog in Brodhead's scheme in the backcourt since day one, but this change of pace allows other advantages. He knows Veal would probably prefer starting, but she might want to get used to this new role.

"I think it keeps Keke in the game longer," Brodhead said. "When she gets in the game, she seems more under control."

With Veal sitting on the bench next to him, Brodhead can feed his spark plug off the bench advice on the pace of the game, how to attack certain things the game shows early on and more importantly, how to not draw whistles. The Cajuns are aggressive on defense. Brodhead would never change that, but if bringing Veal off the bench keeps her fouls down and minutes up, he will continue to follow the formula.

Veal, Wilridge and Gordon create a headache in the backcourt, and a bolstered front court is complimenting the attack well. Already off to a 4-1 start, there's another piece of the puzzle to factor in too. Sylvana Okde hasn't hit the court for the Cajuns in a long time due to injury, but Brodhead's arsenal is about to get a lot more deadly.

"Silk's shooting lights out right now...hopefully we can get her in, work her in the next couple weeks," Brodhead said about his three-point assassin.

At this point in the season, and with the early success, Brodhead said the key to continued success is belief in what they're doing. Even if they're playing well, they can always play better.

Classic coach line, right? For Brodhead, defense can never play too hard or make too many plays. How do they reach the next level?

"I think we're a pressing team, and I think we need to get better at it," Brodhead said.

The Cajuns are one foul call away from possible starting the season undefeated. They're playing their first conference game on the road Thursday then returning to the Cajundome for a two game stretch on the 12th and 15th. Give them a warm welcome back and fill the stands...you won't be disappointed.