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Basketball: Hoops fever returns

Basketball: Hoops fever returns

Basketball: Hoops fever returns

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • February 19, 2011

 

UL fans Derek Menard, left, and Chris Gallo wear fake beards as they cheer on the UL basketball team during their game against Arkansas State on Thursday night.

UL fans Derek Menard, left, and Chris Gallo wear fake beards as they cheer on the UL basketball team during their game against Arkansas State on Thursday night. (Photos by Leslie Westbrook/lwestbrook@theadvertise)

UL fans Derek Menard, left, and Chris Gallo wear fake beards as they cheer on the UL basketball team during their game against Arkansas State on Thursday night. (Photos by Leslie Westbrook/lwestbrook@theadvertise)

The freshman forward was the main inspiration for the "Fear the Beard" promotion for tonight’s game between the Ragin’ Cajuns (11-14, 8-5 Sun Belt) and Western Kentucky (13-13, 7-6) in the Cajundome.

Any fan with a beard — real or fake — will receive a free ticket for the game at the Cajundome box office. Tickets can be redeemed up until tipoff at 7:05 p.m.

UL has won eight straight games — which is tied for the nation’s fifth-longest active streak and their best run since the 2003-04 season. School officials are hoping that a healthy crowd shows up tonight resembling the grizzled Thomas.

"Nobody really knew who I was around campus (before now)," Thomas said. "Now I’m the guy with the beard. I heard a couple of fans made some shirts. I’m going to get my beard shaped up."

Thomas has emerged as one of the league’s top youngsters this season. The Opelousas native leads the team in scoring at 11 points per game and is second in rebounding (6.5 per game). He is averaging 15.8 points per game in conference play.

On Thursday, Thomas had 20 points in UL’s 64-61 win over Arkansas State in front of 5,304 in the Cajundome. The Cajuns made 12-of-12 free throws in the final four minutes and 23-of-27 in the game to escape after leading by as many as 14 points early in the second half.

UL coach Bob Marlin said that the team’s second-largest home crowd of the season played a role in helping the Cajuns get off to a great start.

"We showed toughness again down the stretch," Marlin said. "We didn’t play as well as we needed to offensively, but the free-throw line was good to us and it wasn’t on the other end (for Arkansas State)."

That win pulled UL into a second-place tie in the Sun Belt’s West Division with the Red Wolves (14-14, 8-5). Both teams sit a game behind Denver (13-13, 9-4) atop the division with three games left in the regular season.

The Cajuns have won their past seven games all by single digits. They’ve won those games by an average of 5.1 points.

"That shows that we have a lot of heart and a lot of character," said UL senior forward La’Ryan Gary. "It all goes back to having confidence."

Preseason Sun Belt East Division favorite WKU edged Arkansas-Little Rock, 61-59, Thursday on Jamal Crook’s bank shot with 0.7 seconds left. The Hilltoppers, who have won eight of 10, currently sit third in their division behind Florida Atlantic (18-9, 10-3) and Middle Tennessee (14-13, 9-5).

WKU has three double-digit scorers with preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Sergio Kerusch, a senior forward, leading the way at 15.3 points per game. Senior forward Steffphon Pettigrew adds 14.1 points, and senior forward Juan Pattillo chips in 13.8 points and 9.4 rebounds.

"Western Kentucky is very talented," Marlin said. "They were picked high in the league on their side. We’re going to get their best shot on Saturday."

Marlin said that UL’s players and coaches haven’t changed anything during this eight-game winning streak. The confidence that comes with a few big wins has generated some momentum down the stretch in the regular season.

Last season, Marlin’s Sam Houston State team won 11 in a row as part of a 25-8 season that included Southland Conference regular-season and league tournament titles and an NCAA tournament berth.

"We’re just doing the best we can every day," Marlin said.

"We’re doing the same things we did earlier in the year. The guys are doing a great job of having success and playing with confidence. That’s helped the streak continue."

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