On Sunday, UL basketball coach Bob Marlin suggested that suspended point guard Raymone Andrews and power forward J.J. Thomas probably would not return to the program next season.

On Wednesday, Marlin issued a statement through the school’s sports information department confirming that is indeed the case.

"At their request," Marlin said, "J.J. Thomas and Raymone Andrews have been granted a release from their scholarship at the University of Louisiana.

"We would like to thank them for their contributions to the program and we wish them well."

Andrews, a junior from St. Thomas Aquinas High in Hammond, was UL’s starter at the point most of this season and last.

Thomas, an Opelousas native from Scotlandville High of Baton Rouge, led the Cajuns in scoring as a freshman last season and was a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection this season.

Both were suspended by Marlin last week for what the coach called "conduct detrimental to the team." Marlin did not detail that candidate and elaborate on the decision at the time, and he did not return a phone call seeking further comment Wednesday.

Neither Thomas nor Andrews traveled with the Cajuns last weekend to Hot Springs, Ark., where on Sunday they were eliminated from the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with a quarterfinal-round loss to North Texas.

The defeat dropped Marlin’s club to 16-15.

UL’s season, however, may not be over yet.

The Cajuns still are hoping for an invitation from the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, a 24-team event whose bids and pairings are expected to be announced some time after NCAA Tournament pairings are revealed Sunday.

The tournament features games at on-campus sites throughout the country, and it’s possible UL could host a first-round game next week at the Cajundome.