RPI #255 ASU (8-11, 5-5)visits the Cajundome at Louisiana-Lafayette to take on the RPI #205 Ragin Cajuns (12-10, 6-5) tonight in a game that prognosticators say will be a sure bet for the home team. UL-L handled the Apps handily, 80-64, at HCC in early January. RealTimeRPI.com has the Cajuns winning by 16 again in this contest. ESPN RPI has it closer--but still a six to nine point advantage for the home team.

Last time out, the Apps completely collapsed at Ga South and suffered a runaway 86-48 embarrassment. Coach Jim Fox was not one bit happy with his team's performance in the 'boro. On the other hand, UL-L had to come from behind to break a losing streak and win a close game at Texas State on Saturday.

The Cajuns will once again be led by 6-9 junior C/F Shawn Long. Long, a leading candidate for the SunBelt P-O-Y award, is averaging 18 points and 10 boards per game and leads all active NCAA Division I players in double-doubles. He's averaged double-double figures in each of his last two seasons. The Apps have no answer for this guy.

To pick up a win, the good guys will have to be hitting from behind the arc and will have to keep the Cajun sharpshooters at bay. A Cajun win would solidify their hold on forth place in the league. An ASU win would move the Apps percentage points ahead of the Cajuns and into a fourth place tie with idle Tx-Arlington (12-9, 6-5). In that regard, it's a big game for both teams.

The Apps have had a week off. Will they be rusty; or will a week of rest, practice and prep have them back on track?

App loses 66-81.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=400595306

Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana
1 2 T
APP 41 25 66
ULL 48 33 81

Top Performers

Appalachian St: F. Eaves 16 Pts, 7 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl

UL Lafayette: S. Long 22 Pts, 14 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk

Our kids played the Cajuns better than the January game at HCC; but not well enough to overcome 22 points, 14 boards, 1 assist , 1 block and 1 steal from P-O-Y candidate Shawn Long. There were signs of progress from frosh wing Jake Babic who played excellent defense while contributing 16 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and zero turnovers in 17 minutes off the bench. There were also steps forward for Jake Lawson who scored 12 off the bench along with 2 boards, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Unfortunately, we got no support from starters Obacha and Clark and very little from Burgess and Spagnolo.

That about sums it up, except for these nuggets: The Apps didn't break 39% shooting in the second half; and the final stats mostly went UL-L's way...

Points in the paint-APP 26,ULL 38. Points off turnovers-APP 8,ULL 15.
2nd chance points-APP 11,ULL 15. Fast break points-APP 2,ULL 10.
Bench points-APP 26,ULL 22. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-0 times.
Last FG-APP 2nd-00:39, ULL 2nd-01:10.
Largest lead-APP None, ULL by 17 2nd-01:10.
APP led for 00:00. ULL led for 37:21. Game was tied for 02:01.

asu66 wrote:Our kids played the Cajuns better than the January game at HCC; but not well enough to overcome 22 points, 14 boards, 1 assist , 1 block and 1 steal from P-O-Y candidate Shawn Long. There were signs of progress from frosh wing Jake Babic who played excellent defense while contributing 16 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and zero turnovers in 17 minutes off the bench. There were also steps forward for Jake Lawson who scored 12 off the bench along with 2 boards, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Unfortunately, we got no support from starters Obacha and Clark and very little from Burgess and Spagnolo.

That about sums it up, except for these nuggets: The Apps didn't break 39% shooting in the second half; and the final stats mostly went UL-L's way...

Points in the paint-APP 26,ULL 38. Points off turnovers-APP 8,ULL 15.
2nd chance points-APP 11,ULL 15. Fast break points-APP 2,ULL 10.
Bench points-APP 26,ULL 22. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-0 times.
Last FG-APP 2nd-00:39, ULL 2nd-01:10.
Largest lead-APP None, ULL by 17 2nd-01:10.
APP led for 00:00. ULL led for 37:21. Game was tied for 02:01.

If one just looks at the conference stats one would assume the Apps were in last place. In almost every statistical category we are dead last or very near the bottom. We are the worst shooting team and the worst at defending as measured by FG defense. It is a testament to the team's grit that they remain mid pack in the standings.

That is a product of lop sided loses and tight wins.

But I do agree with the grit they show down the stretch. We just simply are outmatched when teams dictate the pace (fast).

8-12 in conference would be a great accomplishment given the expectations going into the year.

asu66 wrote:Our kids played the Cajuns better than the January game at HCC; but not well enough to overcome 22 points, 14 boards, 1 assist , 1 block and 1 steal from P-O-Y candidate Shawn Long. There were signs of progress from frosh wing Jake Babic who played excellent defense while contributing 16 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and zero turnovers in 17 minutes off the bench. There were also steps forward for Jake Lawson who scored 12 off the bench along with 2 boards, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Unfortunately, we got no support from starters Obacha and Clark and very little from Burgess and Spagnolo.

That about sums it up, except for these nuggets: The Apps didn't break 39% shooting in the second half; and the final stats mostly went UL-L's way...

Points in the paint-APP 26,ULL 38. Points off turnovers-APP 8,ULL 15.
2nd chance points-APP 11,ULL 15. Fast break points-APP 2,ULL 10.
Bench points-APP 26,ULL 22. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-0 times.
Last FG-APP 2nd-00:39, ULL 2nd-01:10.
Largest lead-APP None, ULL by 17 2nd-01:10.
APP led for 00:00. ULL led for 37:21. Game was tied for 02:01.

All things considered, I'll take a split with the defending champs!

JTApps1 wrote:

asu66 wrote:Our kids played the Cajuns better than the January game at HCC; but not well enough to overcome 22 points, 14 boards, 1 assist , 1 block and 1 steal from P-O-Y candidate Shawn Long. There were signs of progress from frosh wing Jake Babic who played excellent defense while contributing 16 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and zero turnovers in 17 minutes off the bench. There were also steps forward for Jake Lawson who scored 12 off the bench along with 2 boards, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Unfortunately, we got no support from starters Obacha and Clark and very little from Burgess and Spagnolo.

That about sums it up, except for these nuggets: The Apps didn't break 39% shooting in the second half; and the final stats mostly went UL-L's way...

Points in the paint-APP 26,ULL 38. Points off turnovers-APP 8,ULL 15.
2nd chance points-APP 11,ULL 15. Fast break points-APP 2,ULL 10.
Bench points-APP 26,ULL 22. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-0 times.
Last FG-APP 2nd-00:39, ULL 2nd-01:10.
Largest lead-APP None, ULL by 17 2nd-01:10.
APP led for 00:00. ULL led for 37:21. Game was tied for 02:01.

All things considered, I'll take a split with the defending champs!

We didn't split with them. They swept us by double digits in both games.