Cajuns Basketball Might Be Stronger than Last Year

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have their exhibition game Wednesday night against Loyola (NO). It’s the first look at life without Elfrid Payton.

The National Defensive Player of the Year has made his debut with the Orlando Magic and the Cajuns, as well as their fans, have to move on without him.

But before anyone starts suggesting doom and gloom for this Cajuns club, better re-think.

Because, believe it or not, the Cajuns might be even better.

Now, that certainly isn’t a slight against Payton. But there are some newcomers that will make the Cajuns bigger, a better rebounding team, good defensively and, be still my heart, pretty good free throw shooters.

The Cajuns will be different…but could surpass last year’s 23 win total.

Junior forward/center Shawn Long is primed for another All-Conference season. The 6-9 Morgan City native has averaged a double double over the last two seasons, but may not reach those numbers again this season.

And, that would actually be a good thing.

Long can score inside. He can score outside from mid range. He can shoot the three. He’s a terrific rebounder. But this year, he won’t have to do it all.

Junior college transfer Devonte Walker will add some size and rebounding ability that the Cajuns missed at the power forward position. He can defend. He can jump and is extremely athletic. Elridge Moore was a great team leader and tri-captain. No one outworked him. But he simply doesn’t have the skills that Walker possesses.

Brian Williams has been a starter in the Big 12 Conference for Oklahoma State. The Baton Rouge native has transferred in as a graduate senior. While he doesn’t possess the outside shooting touch of Bryant Mbamalu, he’s a mature player, can slash to the basket, can rebound the basketball and will provide leadership through his experience.

Speaking of outside shooting, the Cajuns will have plenty of weapons. Xavian Rimmer showed last year he’s capable of scoring 25 points on any given night. He’ll be counted on to be a more consistent scorer. Coaches said at times he was simply too unselfish as a shooter. Kasey Shepherd missed the final 15 games of the season last year because of a knee injury. He’s capable of playing either guard spot but will probably be the starter at the point guard. Shepherd shot 54% from the three point line before his injury and was a 94% free throw shooter. Those are numbers Payton could not put up. He won’t take it to the rack like Elfrid, but he showed the quickness to get past defenders before his injury.

Jay Wright and Abbeville native Tiremone Williams will see action at the point as well. Wright isn’t very big, but he is very quick and is a good defender and distributor. Just a sophomore, he’s going to play a lot. Williams will see action at the point as well. The walk-on had scholarship offers but chose to come home. He’ll get his chances. Veteran swingman Steven Wronkoski can spell Brian Williams and can play the off guard as well. He won’t have to play the power forward spot out of position as he did out of necessity a season ago. Sophomore Hayward Register is capable of filling the basket from the outside and freshman Johnathan Stove (Christian Life HS, Baton Rouge) will see some playing time at the guard spot and can also play the small forward.

Unlike last year, the Cajuns will have depth, especially inside. J. J. Davenport is (somewhat) leaner and will spell Long in the middle. He can also play along with Long, moving the Cajuns’ leading returning scorer to the power forward spot. Vieux Kande, a sophomore showed some promise last year and should get even more playing time this year. Two freshmen, Bryce Washington (St. Augustine HS, New Orleans) and Scotty Plaisance (Country Day, Metairie Park) have good size. Plaisance may redshirt as he needs to get a little stronger.

The Cajuns averaged 81 points per game last year. That’s the best scoring average for the Cajuns since the 1990-91 season. There’s a good chance they could score even more this season since, with better depth, Marlin will be able to run his up-tempo offense at a higher octane than last season.

The Cajuns’ schedule is manageable, yet challenging. Road games at Tulsa and Auburn are games the Cajuns will have a chance in as long as they play well. Oral Roberts and Milwaukee are respected mid-major programs the Cajuns will play in a tournament at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Louisiana Tech, who won 26 games a year ago en route to the regular season Conference USA title, will look to avenge its only home loss of last season when they visit the Cajundome. And, this year, a double round robin schedule means twenty conference games.

Thanks to their run in the Sun Belt tournament and their berth in the NCAA, combined with the excitement of Payton’s top ten selection in the NBA draft, there’s an awful lot of buzz about Cajuns’ basketball as the season gets ready to start.

And, with good reason.

This team has a chance to be really good.