Musings from Omaha

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns didn't win a basketball game Wednesday night at the Qwest Center in Omaha, but they improved as a team.

That was evident by the box score, and evident by the on court play in the Cajuns' 63-58 loss to Creighton of the Missouri Valley Conference before an announced crowd of 14,109.

The Cajuns cut down on their turnovers with only ten for the night.  That was just one more than the Bluejays, who make a living on not turning over the basketball.   They battled on the boards, losing the rebounding battle by just one 46-45.  They defended the basketball, holding Creighton to just over 30 percent shooting in the second half.

The downfall for the Cajuns was their shooting percentage, which was just under 33 percent.  And, they didn't get to the free throw line much and when they did, they didn't make them.  After three games, the Cajuns free throw percentage is just over 50 percent and that has to get better.

The Cajuns were in the game in the final minutes despite getting no points from Travis Bureau, who didn't play in the second half because of illness and a poor shooting night by junior transfer David Perez.  Those two had carried the scoring load for Louisiana in their first two games.

Senior captain Randell Daigle kept the Cajujns in the game with a career night.  Daigle had a career night in points (25), three point field goals made (7) and rebounds (9).  Daigle had been quiet offensively in the first two games, mostly because he's had to run the offense with Raymone Andrews sidelined with a shoulder injury. 

What was most pleasing to me was the way the Cajuns fought inside.  Courtney Wallace had eight points and a like number of rebounds after playing poorly in the first two games.  Javon Mitchell battled as well and the two at least made preseason MVC player of the Year Kenny Lawson, Jr. work for what he got.  Lawson did wind up with a double double but didn't dominate the game as many feared he might.

Andrews should be ready to go Friday night when the Cajuns play Cleveland State at the CAJUNDOME.  The Vikings are 4-0 on the year after sweeping through the World Vision Classic in Cleveland.  They own wins over Bryant, Urbana, Iona and Kent State.  This will be CSU's first road game of the season.

NOTES:  In addition to Bureau's illness, LaRyan Gary played sparingly after tweaking his knee during gameday shootaround.  He did not play at all in the first half and logged nine minutes in the second half..  Wallace's 21 minutes played was a season high.  Wallace and Mitchell combined for 33 minutes in hte post.  Scottie Farrington played the other seven minutes but was largely ineffective.  Josh Brown was just 4-15 from the field and is still forcing a lot, which isn't uncommon among junior college transfers.  Daigle had to play 38 minutes last night, and that's just too many.  But with Andrews returning, Daigle should be able to get back eventually to the 25-30 minutes which is about right for him.  Lawson is an impressive player.  He's a legit 6-9, 250 with a strong body.  He also can shoot it from the perimeter.  He made two three-pointers last night.