UL back in Cajundome to play host to Prairie View

Published 6:45 am Tuesday, December 11, 2018

LAFAYETTE — The Ragin’ Cajuns have been spent a lot of time on the road this season.

After opening up the season against the University of the Virgin Islands, the UL Lafayette men’s basketball team has made trips to play at Tennessee, Kansas University, followed by playing three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida, before returning to Louisiana to play at the University of New Orleans. 

The Cajuns, though, have been home the past two contests, both wins over Southern and Loyola of New Orleans, and will be back inside the Cajundome tonight when Prairie View A&M comes to town. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. for the first meeting between the two schools since the 1990-91 season.

Cajuns head coach Bob Marlin admits his team has logged plenty of miles this season but nothing compared to the visiting Panthers who have yet to play a home game, and won’t do so until Jan. 2

“We played six of our first seven on the road, but nothing like that,” Marlin said.

The Panthers (1-8) are coming off a season where the team won 16 games and reached the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament. Prairie View A&M, which is led by Preseason Second-Team All-SWAC pick Gary Blackston (15.3) and Devonte Patterson (14.1), began the season with a win over Santa Clara but has dropped eight straight since then.

Marlin though believes the team is far better than the record indicates. 

“This year Blue Ribbon Magazine, which I put a lot of stock in, picked them to win the SWAC so they’ve got a really nice team,” Marlin said. “They won the opener at Santa Clara by I think 17 and they have played well since. They’ve been in the game late in every game in most cases since then. This will be tough game for us.”

After falling to Toledo at the Gulf Coast Showcase, the Cajuns have won four straight, all against Louisiana teams, and have gotten better offensively increasing scoring totals each game from 68 to 77 to 88 and to 97 and four players are averaging in double figures with JaKeenan Gant (17.7), Malik Marquetti (13.2), Justin Miller (11.8) and Marcus Stroman (10.6). 

“We’re getting better,” said Marlin, who’s team has won 16 straight non-conference games at home. “We are trying to get consistent. We’re not playing our best basket all but I’d be concerned if we were.”

After tonight’s game, the Cajuns will wrap up their five-game non-conference home stand on Saturday when the team welcomes in old rival Louisiana Tech and the two teams plays for the 130th time. After not playing one another on a regular basis for the better part of this century, the two programs started playing one another every season since 2014. The Cajuns have gotten the better of the Bulldogs four of those five times, including a 75-71 in Ruston last season.

“It’s a good rivalry certainly one we’ve enjoyed,” Marlin said. “I am glad that they agreed to play us and be able to re-establish that. It is a our longest in-state rival and one that our fans and team looks forward to playing.”