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Men’s Basketball: Basketball team deals with injuriesJoshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • October 21, 2010 As excited as Bob Marlin is about starting his first season as the UL men’s basketball coach, he is even more eager for his players to get healthy. For example: On Tuesday, the Ragin’ Cajuns went through the early part of practice with only nine healthy bodies. "You’d like to be able to play some 5-on-5," Marlin said. "We were able to go up and down a little bit at the end. One of our walk-ons had class and didn’t get here until after practice had started, so we only had nine players. "Those missed reps are big, but the guys are still picking things up." At least five players have been injured since practice officially started last week. Sophomore guard Raymone Andrews continues to rehab an ankle that he sprained last week. Senior forward Travis Bureau continues to have the same hip problems that nagged him last season. Senior forward La’Ryan Gary has been sidelined because of a sore knee. Gary missed all of last season after a gruesome injury two years ago. Junior guard Josh Brown and senior center Colby Batiste were both hurt Monday. Brown, a transfer from Odessa College, pulled his groin after slipping on a wet spot during a defensive drill and missed Tuesday’s workout but was expected back Wednesday. Batiste was accidently poked in the eye and suffered a scratched cornea but was back at practice Tuesday wearing a bandage to protect his injured eye. After all of those injuries, Marlin is more than ready for his players to get well and return to the court. "As coaches, we’re always a little impatient," Marlin said. "But it’s a long season. We’ll get it right, and those guys will get healthy." Coming off a 13-17 campaign, the Cajuns have an exhibition game against Montevallo on Nov. 9 in the Cajundome before opening the regular season on Nov. 12 at home vs. New Mexico State. Expectations are high going into the season given the buzz surrounding Marlin’s hiring last March. The Cajuns return three starters in Andrews, Batiste and senior guard Randell Daigle but must replace their top two scorers and integrate seven newcomers. Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year Tyren Johnson exhausted his eligibility, and forward Chris Gradnigo transferred to Coastal Carolina. "We’re excited and looking forward to making progress and seeing how good this team can become," Marlin said. "But to be realistic, this team hasn’t had a winning season in quite a while, and we’ve lost the top two scorers off a 13-win team."
Batiste believes in his team as the program seeks its first winning season since 2005. "We’re not looking back at what’s happened in the past," Batiste said. "We’ve put everything behind us, and we’re focused on getting better. That’s the only way that you can get better." Extra pointsMarlin has been impressed with Bureau’s improvement on the defensive end of the floor. Bureau, who averaged 6.2 points per game last season, has gained about 10 pounds since the spring and is expected to see some time as a potential mismatch for opposing teams at power forward this season "» Daigle, Brown, Gary and senior forward/center Courtney Wallace have all emerged as vocal leaders so far in practice, Marlin said "» The Sun Belt Conference will hold its annual Media Days next Tuesday and Wednesday using a video teleconference format for the second consecutive year. Marlin and the other West Division head coaches will participate on Tuesday, with the East Division schools taking part on Wednesday. Athletic Network Footnote: Click here for information on the Men’s Basketball Reunion Scheduled for Jan. 21-22, 2011
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