Keys to Cajuns/Warhawks

Conference play, already?

Yep.

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and UL Monroe Warhawks get together at Fant-Ewing Coliseum Thursday night in the first conference game of the season.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:15 on the ULM campus.

When the Sun Belt schedule was released, one game against a schools geographic rival was left up to the coaches to work out.  Coaches Bob Marlin and Keith Richard decided on this early date.  The Cajuns will not play another conference game until January 2 when they host Appalachian State.

The Warhawks won both meetings last year on their way to a tie for second place and a trip to the CBI finals.  The Cajuns made it to the quarterfinals of the CIT after a fourth place finish.

These are two veteran teams.  The Cajuns return eight of their top nine scorers and all five starters, while ULM returns four starters after losing first team all-conference player Tylor Ongwae.

Here are a few things to look for in the game.

PUSH IT...PUSH IT REAL GOOD--The two teams play at decidedly different tempos.  The Cajuns are third in the nation in scoring.  ULM allowed 75 points for the first time in two seasons in their loss to Houston.  The Warhawks are giving up just over 60 points per game.  Forcing the tempo is going to be important for both teams.  The Cajuns want to play fast; the Warhawks do not.  The team that plays at its pace has an advantage.

DON'T TAKE THE PERIMIETER FOR GRANTED--ULM hasn't shot the ball well from behind the arc this year.  But if you look at their personnel, they're more than capable.  Majok Deng (2-18) was a .345 shooter from three a year ago.  Nick Coppola (3-14) shot .389.  Those guys can shoot it.  They just haven't yet.  ULM won't take a ton of threes (13.6 att. per game) but the Cajuns still have to guard them when they're ready to fire.

KEEP DENG OFF THE FOUL LINE:  Deng is automatic from the line (16-18).  In fact, ULM as a team is good (.722).  ULM doesn't get to the line a lot (18 per game) but the Cajuns still need to keep them off the line.  Guard without fouling.

KEY STAT:  REBOUND THE BASKETBALL---It's a strength of both teams.  ULM has a pair (Deng and freshman Travis Munnings, who both average more than seven boards a game, and ULM does a good job in sending their guards to the boards as well.  The Cajuns Shawn Long will get his share as he always does, but the Cajuns need to do a good job of rebounding as a team.  Long can especially be effective as an offensive rebounder if he's in position.

KEY MATCHUP:  POINT GUARD--Two of the league's best square off with Jay Wright and Nick Coppola.  Coppola has a 2-1 assist/turnover ratio and can score the basketball especially when his team needs it most.  Wright is the Cajuns' best on ball defender.  It's Wright's job to disrupt Coppola as much as possible with his defense and take advantage of his quickness on the other end.

MAKE SOME SHOTS:  The three point basket is part of the Cajuns arsenal.  They're averaging 25 attempts per game.  They're going to get some open looks.  It's time to start making them.  None of the Cajuns are shooting it as well from the perimeter as they are capable.  This team averaged nearly 36 percent a year ago.  This year it's barely 31 percent.  Simply put, it's got to be better....beginning Thursday night.

After this one, the Cajuns return to the Cajundome to face McNeese State next Wednesday night.  ULM heads to Kent State Dec. 10th.