Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will put their eight-game winning streak on the line on Saturday as Western Kentucky comes to the Cajundome for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

Saturday will also be "Fear the Beard" night. Any fan with a beard, real or fake, will receive a free ticket at the Cajundome Box Office. Fans may start redeeming their tickets on Friday up until game time Saturday. The Cajundome will be open until 8 p.m. CT on Thursday and will open at 10 a.m. CT on Saturday morning.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
Louisiana‘s Ragin’ Cajuns (11-14, 8-5 SBC)
vs.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (13-13, 7-6 SBC)
When: Sat., Feb. 19, 2011
Time: 7:05 p.m. CT
Where: Lafayette, La.  (Cajundome, 11,550)
TV: Fox College Sports
Radio: KPEL ESPN 1420 AM/KHXT 107.9 FM 
Live Stats/Video: www.RaginCajuns.com

Gameday Storylines

• The red hot Cajuns look to extend their current win streak to nine games as they play host to Western Kentucky on Saturday. The eight straight wins ties the longest win streak since 2002-03. The last time UL won more than eight in-a-row, came during the 1999-2000 season when the Cajuns rattled off 10 straight wins.
• The eight-game win streak is currently tied for the fifth longest active streak in the nation.
• Louisiana will play two of its last three games in the friendly confines of the Cajundome. Dating back to last season, the Cajuns are 14-1 against Sun Belt opponents on their home court. The sole loss came in overtime to Middle Tennessee earlier this year (91-93).
• The Hilltoppers lead the all-time series 22-14, winning the last five meetings. UL’s last win over WKU came in back-to-back seasons in 2003-04 and 2004-05 but both wins were later vacated. Prior to those wins, the Cajuns last win over WKU came in the 1999-2000 season.
• During the eight-game stretch, UL is outscoring opponents 77.8 to 69.2 (?8.5) and out rebounding opponents by ?6.6 rpg.
• Over the last three minutes in the last three games, the Cajuns are 18-for-18 from the free throw line. In the last two games, UL is knocking down 100 percent of the free throws in the second half (26-26).
• Since 2001-02, the Cajuns are 23-2 on the court when attendance is over 5,000 at the Cajundome (10 wins were later vacated due to NCAA sanctions).

Notes and Trends
Scouting the HILLTOPPERS

• The Hilltoppers have won their last three and eight of their last 10 games, since dropping six straight to hold a 13-13 record and a 7-6 Sun Belt record.
• Three players average double-figures with Sergio Kerusch posting 15.3 ppg. Steffphon Pettigrew averages 14.1 and Juan Patillo is posting 13.8 ppg while pulling down a team-high 9.4 rebounds.
• In their most recent meeting, WKU had a last second tip-in to down UALR, 61-59, in Little Rock, Ark. Pettigrew led the Hilltoppers with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
• Only three times since the 2002-03 season have the Hilltoppers made the trip to the Cajundome, despite facing UL ever year.

PLAYING TO THE CROWD

• Since 2001-02, the Cajuns are 23-2 on the court when attendance is over 5,000 at the Cajundome (10 wins were later vacated due to NCAA sanctions).
• The last three meetings against WKU, the Cajundome has posted an average attendance of 6,774.
                 Attend.              Date                       Score
              9,121             2/26/03             L, 66-69
              5,011             1/27/05             W, 91-76*
              6,190             1/19/08             L, 66-69
                                   * – game was later vacated by the NCAA

THE STREAK’S STATS

• The current eight-game winning streak is longest string of wins since 2002-03.
• UL is averaging 77.8 ppg while holding opponents to 69.2 ppg – a ?8.5 scoring margin.
• The Cajuns are shooting .465 from the floor (211-454) in the last eight games and limiting the opposition to .416 (187-449). From three-point range, the Cajuns are hitting 36.1 percent (39-108) while opponents are shooting 32.5 percent (40-123).
• From the charity stripe, UL is knocking down .745 of their attempts (161-216), averaging 27 attempts per game
• On the glass, the Cajuns are out-rebounding teams 38.9 to 32.2 (?6.6 margin).
• Three players are averaging double-figure points over the streak. J.J. Thomas leads with 15.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg, Travis Bureau is chipping in 12.0 ppg and 9.1 rpg and La’Ryan Gary is averaging 13.8 ppg.
• Only twice have the opponents scored more than 70 points. La.-Monroe recorded 75 points and North Texas scored 88 points.
• The streak is currently tied for fifth in the nation.

ACTIVE WIN STREAKS as of 2/17/11

# Team            Next Opponent         Next Game Date          Streak 
1 George Mason at UNI                       02/19/2011                      12 
2 Texas at Nebraska                           02/19/2011                      11
3 Vermont at  Col. of Charleston           02/19/2011                     10
4 Princeton at Yale                              02/18/2011                      9
5 Morehead St. at Indiana St.               02/19/2011                      8
   Louisiana vs Western Kentucky      02/19/2011                      8           

NO PLACE LIKE THE ‘DOME

• The Cajuns are currently 8-4 at home this season and 5-1 against SBC opponents.
• In the eight wins, UL has combined to shoot .476 from the floor (223-468) and have outscored opponents, 81.8 to 71.8 (?10.0).
• In all 11 games, UL is currently averaging 80.5 ppg compared to a 75.9 ppg average for the opponent.
• The Cajuns currently hold a 13-1 record against Sun Belt opponents on their home court, dating back to last season.
• Last season the Ragin’ Cajuns posted a 10-4 record in the Cajundome – the 15th consecutive season with a .500 mark or better.
• UL finished undefeated at the Cajundome in SBC play with a 9-0 mark last season. Only once before has UL posted a perfect record at the ‘Dome in the SBC (7-0 in 2001-02).
• In 23 of the previous 25 seasons, the Cajuns have recorded a winning record at home.

FREE FOR ALL

• For the fourth straight game, the Cajuns were hot from the charity stripe. In the last three minutes of the last three games, UL is a perfect 18-of-18. Against FIU and Arkansas State, the Cajuns were 26-of-26 in the second half alone.
• In the second half against Arkansas State, UL went 16-of-16 from the free throw line.
• At Florida Atlantic, the Cajuns were a perfect 16-of-16, extending a streak of 28 made free throws that dated back to the FIU game.
• UL hit 10-of-10 in the final two minutes at FIU to seal the win.
• UL made the second-most free throws of the season in the win over UALR. The Cajuns were 30-of-38 from the line (.789). The most crucial of the chip shots came with :00.6 remaining as Travis Bureau hit two to lift UL to a one-point win.
• In the overtime loss to Middle Tennessee, the Cajuns hit a season-high 32 free throws.

FEELING FINE

• After sitting out all last season due to a gruesome injury suffered in the final game of the 2008-09 season, La’Ryan Gary has begun to make a significant impact, scoring in double-figures in seven of the last eight games.
• During the Cajuns’ eight-game win streak, Gary is averaging 13.8 ppg and shooting .567 from the floor.
• Since facing ULM, he is 23-of-24 from the free throw line (.958).
• Overall this season he is averaging 9.6 ppg compared to his 6.9 2008-09 average.
• In the win over ULM, Gary scored 18 points including a perfect 6-for-6 showing at the free throw line.
• Versus the Blue Raiders, he posted a team-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The point total set a new season-high and tied his career best.

FEAR THE BEARD

• J.J. Thomas is quickly becoming one of the top freshman in the Sun Belt this year.
• He has scored double figures in eight of the last 10 games and is averaging 15.8 ppg in league contests.
• Thomas scored a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting in the win over Arkansas State.
• In the road win at South Alabama, Thomas set a career-high 28 points, knocking down 11 field goals while grabbing 13 rebounds. It was his fifth double-double this season and his fourth in the month of January.
• Earlier in January, he had back-to-back-to-back double-doubles against Centenary, Arkansas State and UALR. It was the first time a player had three-straight double-double since 2005-06 when Dwayne Mitchell accomplished the feat.
• At UALR, the freshman scored 11 points while dominating the glass with 16 rebounds. At the time, it was the most rebounds by a UL player since Valentino Hart had 17 against Tennessee in the 2006-07.
• Against Arkansas State he scored a game-high 16 points with a team-best 10 rebounds.
• In his first double-double against Texas College, the freshman guard scored 15 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. All of his 15 points came in the second half where he was 5-for-8 from the floor.

B.B.B. – BETTER BASKETBALL BUREAU

• Travis Bureau has scored in double-figures in the three of the last six games. In four of the past six games, he has pulled down double-digit rebounds.
• Against Arkansas State, Bureau posted 12 rebounds, grabbing 10 in the first half.
• At FIU, Bureau scored a game-high 18 pts.
• He scored a season-high 23 points including the game winning free throw with less than a second remaining against UALR. Also had 11 boards to rack up his fourth double-double.
• Against South Alabama, Bureau grabbed a career-high 20 boards. It was the first time a Cajun player has recorded 20 rebounds since Dwayne Mitchell in 2005-06.
• In the win over North Texas, he notched his third double-double with 15 pts and 10 rebs.
• In his 1st start since Dec. 12, Bureau scored a game-high 22 points in 93-91 win over Troy.
• As the Cajuns’ leading scorer against Troy, the senior forward connected on 8-of-11 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from 3-pt range. He also led the squad with seven rebounds in a team-high 34 minutes.
• Bureau tallied his 2nd career double-double at McNeese after scoring 17 pts and 10 rebs.
• Bureau posted his first career double-double in the win over Louisiana College (11/15). He also set a new career-best for rebounds in the 16-point, 14-board performance.

ANDREWS’ ASSISTS

• Raymone Andrews is known for his tenacious defense and pressure but over the Cajuns’ win streak he has stepped up on the offensive side of the ball.
• Over the past five games, Andrews has dished 17 assists while turning the ball over just six times. He’s also picked up nine steals since scoring a season-high 11 points against North Texas.
• At FIU, Andrews scored all eight of his points in the second half
• He has also been deadly from the free throw line, going 27-of-30 over the last six games and averaging 7.4 ppg during that span.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

• For the first time since 2005-06, the Cajuns claimed thier third straight road win with a 72-64 victory at FAU.
• The 72-68 win at FIU marked the first time the Cajuns have won back-to-back road wins since the 2007-08 season.
• The overtime win at South Alabama was the first road win in 365 days and covered 15 games away from the Cajundome. The last road win came exactly one year before at Louisiana-Monroe.

WELCOME TO THE 1,000 POINT CLUB

• At 6:04 in the first half against North Texas, Randell Daigle made history scoring his 1,001th career point.
• He is the 39th player in school history to reach the plateau and just the fourth since 2000.
• He currently sits at 1,023 points in 102 games and ranks 38th all-time. He’s four points shy of moving into 37th place and five points from 36th.

BROWN IS BACK

• Josh Brown has been productive since missing four games from Jan. 8 – Jan. 19.
• In the win at FIU , Brown was 5-of-7 from the floor for 13 points
• In the upset of North Texas, Brown scored 11 points, had four boards, two assists, a block and a steal.
• He had 12 points off the bench in the win over ULM.
• He has missed a total of eight games this season due to injury but in 12 games played he has reached double-figures nine times .
• After missing four games early in the season, Brown scored 20 points off the bench in the comeback win against Lamar. He was 8-of-14 from the floor, scoring 11 in the second half.

GLASS CLEANERS

• In nine games this season, UL has racked up at least 40 rebounds. In those games, the Cajuns are 4-9.
• Against UALR and South Alabama, UL grabbed at least 40 boards, tying a season-high of 49 at South Alabama.
• At New Mexico State, the Cajuns dominated the glass out-rebounding the Aggies, 48-23. On the offensive glass, UL pulled down 23 boards – the same number as the Aggies’ entire rebounding effort.
• Versus Texas College, UL recorded a season-high 49 rebounds compared to the Steers’ 29, including a 23-3 edge on the offensive glass.
• At Creighton, UL pulled down 45 boards compared to the Jays’ 46.
• Against Louisiana College, UL grabbed 46 boards, out-rebounding Wildcats by 15.

SILENT M

• Freshman Bryant Mbamalu has slowly worked himself into the starting rotation and is making the most of his increase in minutes.
• In 17 starts, he has reached double figures in five games
• Against Centenary, the freshman guard scored a career-high 20 points, including 16 in the second half, after going 10-of-14 from the floor.
• At Arkansas State, Mbamalu put up 11 points while grabbing 6 rebounds.
• Against Troy, the freshman guard had 11 points on a 4-of-6 effort.
• At New Mexico State, he led UL with a game-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
• Against Lamar, Mbamalu led the squad with 11 rebounds, his first double-digit effort.

IT’S A BRAND NEW DAI-GLE

• Randell Daigle has put up double figures in 6 of the past 11 games, breaking up a seven-game slump in which he failed to reach double digits.
• In the win over ASU, the senior point guard scored 12 points, going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
• Most recently, Daigle put up 15 points in 28 minutes off the bench at FAU
• At UALR, the senior point guard inched closer to the 1,000 point mark with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
• The senior point guard was 5-of-9 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond-the-arc, scoring 17 off the bench against Troy. From the charity stripe, the senior point guard was 4-for-4 to go along with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 21 minutes of action.
• Coming off the bench against Middle Tennessee, he scored 13 points, including a buzzer beater to send the game into overtime. All of his point production came after the first half.

LUCKY SEVENS

• Five or more players have reached double figures in four games this season. UL is 3-1 in those games.
• In the win over North Texas seven players turned in a double-digit performance. Bureau- (15), Gary (14), Daigle (13), Mitchell (13), Brown (11), Andrews (11).
• It was the first time since 2003-04 that at least seven players posted double figures.
• Against Centenary, Mbamalu led with 20, Thomas put up 19, Farrington and Gary each had 11 and Bureau finished with 10 pts.
• At UALR, Perez led with 15, Daigle recorded 13, Bureau had 12, Thomas and Farrington posted 11.
• In the win over Troy, Bureau had 22, Daigle posted 17, Mbamalu and Wallace each had 11 while Thomas scored 10 points.

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for the photo gallery of the Jan. 21-22, 2011 Basketball Reunion

Click here for the January 18, 2003 Basketball Reunion  

Click here for the Nov. 1-2, 2001 Shipley Basketball Reunion  

Rebounders Club Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd…noon, Abacus Station, 510 W. Pinhook Rd….lunch is $13
Geaux Cajuns, Karren Hays 288-2163