Marlin’s Cajuns Building Momentum Before Sun Belt Tournament [VIDEO]
It's officially march, and the Ragin' Cajuns are playing their best basketball. Head Coach Bob Marlin likes the way his team is trending, and he wants them to stay hot.
With two games left before the start of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, Marlin's team is coming off three wins on the road to bring their conference record to 8-8. The players are coming together at the right time of the season, but they have to keep building on the wins.
"We're playing some good basketball right now, and we're trying to go into the tournament with a little momentum," Marlin said.
After losing four straight games to Arkansas State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Troy, the Cajuns picked their heads up and evened things out with four straight wins. The college season is full of twists and turns, but Marlin said his team keeps riding the wave together.
"We never lost confidence that we had a good basketball team, and when we play with confidence good things can happen," Marlin said. He added, "We're in a good place right now. The guys are excited."
Not only is the team streaking two games before the conference tournament begins, they will also have a chance to sharpen their blade with a tournament preview against two of the most talented teams in the Sun Belt.
Texas State proved a lot of preseason predictions wrong this season, and they are trying to fight for a firmer handhold in the conference before the tournament too.
"We know we will get a good game from them. They have a chance to finish in the top four and get a bye," Marlin explained.
On top of Texas State's clear motivation in this game, their coach also has a ton of familiarity with Coach Marlin.
Danny Kaspar and Coach Marlin go way back. They've been competing against each other for years, even before they both headed to the Sun Belt. They both know each other's styles through and through, and each coach knows better than to underestimate their opponent.
Any time Marlin and Kaspar's teams get together, the fans are in for a treat.
"We've had some tremendous games. I'm talking about knockdown drag outs," Marlin responded when asked about Kaspar.
After facing Texas State, there's only one game left in the regular season. Louisiana will take on the best team in the conference, UT-Arlington, and it will also be senior night.
The Ragin' Cajuns only have one senior on the roster this year, but he's the heartbeat of the team.
Jay Wright came in knowing he had to fill the shoes of an NBA Lottery pick, Elfrid Payton. He accepted that challenge and performed like a trooper the last few years.
Any time there is a loose ball, Wright is one of the first players to hit the deck. He takes a beating driving to the rim, but he pushes through the pain. He sets the tone on defense, taking the opposing team's best ball handler out of their element, and his effort is infectious.
Marlin will miss Wright when he's gone, but he wants to send him off the right way on senior day.
"He's improved so much in so many areas," Marlin pointed out. "He's quietly been the leader of this team the last couple years."
Marlin pleaded the fans to come out and say their goodbyes to Wright, not only on senior night but also at the Sun Belt Tournament in New Orleans.