Louisiana won the Sun Belt Conference tournament in a slow-tempo game that favored its opponent, South Alabama. The Ragin' Cajuns would rather play fast, which is also what first-round opponent Tennessee will like to do. However, they are not as good as Tennessee, so a fast tempo will favor the Vols. Head coach Jessie Evans has a national championship ring from Arizona, where he coached under Lute Olson for nine years and recruiting some of its best players. Oddly enough, the Ragin' Cajuns' leading scorer, Orlando Butler, comes off the bench. He and Blane Harmon, a 6-foot-3 guard, are carbon copies of one another. They average around 13 points a game, love shooting threes and do a lot of things off the dribble. They must ignite their perimeter game against Tennessee. Inside, the Ragin' Cajuns will have difficulties with Tennessee's hops on the boards. Lonnie Thomas is their premier, inside, offensive player. But he has fouled out of eight games, which could spell disaster if he gets in foul trouble against Tennessee. Offensively, they have a brute named Brett Smith, a big, physical presence from Australia who leads the team in screens and bruises. Another front-line player, Reggie Degray, is a 6-6 transfer from Wofford who can score around the goal and hit mid-distance shots. Evans will run players in and out of the game. Their best defensive player is Billy Jones, who starts instead of Brown, will be called on to guard Tony Harris, the Vols' speed point guard. It will be difficult for them to match the Vols' talent, but the Ragin' Cajuns are a very confident team. -- Bob Wenzel, ESPN null NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY 1993 -- Eleventh seed in Southeast Lost to Marquette in first round, 81-59 1992 -- Thirteenth seed in West Defeated Oklahoma in first round, 87-83 Lost to New Mexico State in second round, 81-73 1983 -- Eighth seed in East Lost to Rutgers in first round, 60-53 1982 -- Eighth seed in Mideast Lost to Tennessee in first round, 61-57 1973 -- Midwest Defeated Houston in first round, 102-89 Lost to Kansas State in second round, 66-63 1972 -- Midwest Defeated Marshall in first round, 112-101 Lost to Louisville in second round, 88-84 |
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