Men’s Basketball: New look part of Daigle hot streak

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • January 13, 2010

Back on Dec. 17, two days after the worst game of his UL basketball career, Randell Daigle decided that he wanted a change.

Daigle played with his hair braided in cornrows for most of his time with the Ragin’ Cajuns until that day. That was when the senior guard got his head shaved, a move that surprised many of his teammates.

"There was really no reason behind it," Daigle said. "I just wanted to do something different. I was tired of it. I can always grow it back whenever I want to."

Daigle’s new look has come during a breakout season as the Cajuns (5-10, 2-2 Sun Belt) prepare for Thursday’s game against West Division leader Denver (12-5, 5-1).

With forward Tyren Johnson joining Chris Gradnigo as UL’s top two scoring options, Daigle has posted career-high totals so far this season by hitting 44.6 percent of his field goals and 40.5 percent of his 3-point shots.

He is second on the team in assists (2.1 per game) and is third in scoring (career-high 11.7 points per game).

Daigle has been especially dangerous in the seven games since getting his haircut, scoring six times in double digits and averaging 13.9 points over that stretch. In those games he has made half of his shot attempts (32-of-64), including 19-of-41 from 3-point range for a 46.3 percent clip.

The former Northside standout averaged 9.9 points on 39.4 percent shooting overall and 34.2 percent from beyond the arch in the season’s first eight games.

In a 71-53 loss to Southern Miss two days before his haircut, Daigle went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting.

Daigle, who averaged 8.5 points and 11.3 points in his first two college seasons but never shot better than 40 percent from the floor or from 3-point range, is comfortable with his role this season.

"As far as my percentages (improving), we’re just executing better and doing more things for the whole team," Daigle said. "We’re running plays for everyone instead of for just one or two people. That’s really opened the floor up, and it’s really helped the team out."

UL coach Robert Lee has been pleased with Daigle’s contributions so far this season. He’s also happy that Daigle is on pace to earn an additional season of eligibility, granted he completes at least 80 percent of his degree requirements by the end of this academic year.

"We know that Randell can shoot the ball and make shots for us," Lee said. "But it’s been great to have Tyren develop this year like he has and take some pressure off him. Now we just need for three guys — it doesn’t matter who they are — to score on the same night."

Women take on Denver

Coming off back-to-back wins, the UL women’s team returns to action tonight against Denver.

The Cajuns (6-10, 1-3) followed last Wednesday’s 80-78 win over league opponent North Texas with Saturday’s 53-35 win over Savannah State on the road in the 1,000th game in program history.

UL’s win over UNT snapped a 22-game losing streak against Sun Belt foes. The Cajuns are currently fourth in the West Division.

The 35 points allowed against Savannah State were the fewest allowed by the Cajuns since the 2004-05 season.

"It’s been a long time since we’ve won two games in a row," UL coach Errol Rogers said. "We’ve just got to keep fighting and doing what we’re doing right now."

Denver (10-6, 5-1) is alone in first place in the West despite Sunday’s 73-70 loss to Western Kentucky.

Mercedes Johnson leads UL in scoring (13.9 points) and rebounding (6.0 rebounds) this season and has scored in double digits in nine straight games. Alexis Green is second in both categories at 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. Jasmine Barnes is averaging 9.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals.

Denver has three double-digit scorers in Britteni Rice (14.8 points), Kaetlyn Murdoch (14.1 points) and Brianna Culberson (13.3 points).

Ashly Robinson is the top rebounder for the Pioneers at 7.8 rebounds. Murdoch (6.8) and Culberson (6.7) are both right behind Robinson in rebounds.

The Cajuns trail the all-time series against Denver, 13-7. UL has lost the past two meetings.