re: 2017-18 Colleges in Louisiana Season Long Basketball Thread

LSU (Last Season: 10-21 (2-16) T-13th, Preseason Media Day Projection 14th in SEC, First Game Tonight vs Alcorn State)

For a team that won 2 conference games a year ago and is picked to finish last again this year, you wouldn’t expect this much excitement for the season. But it’s justified. New Coach Will Wade has brought some much needed hope and enthusiasm to the program. And there has been so much turnover on the roster it almost feels like a new team. LSU returns their 2nd and 3rd leading scorers from a year ago in Duop Reath & Brandon Sampson to go along with freshmen like Tremont Waters & Mayan Kiir and a host of JUCO and Graduate transfers. Very interested to see what the season holds for this squad.

Tulane (Last Season: 6-25 (3-15) 10th, Preseason Media Day Projection 10th in AAC, First Game Tonight vs LIU-Brooklyn)

There’s really nowhere to go but up for the Green Wave this season. Coach Mike Dunleavy enters his second year with Tulane trying to improve from last year’s six win campaign. But it won’t be any easier this season with Wichita State joining the AAC. However, there are some reasons for optimism. Tulane returns three of five starters from last season including their two leading scorers in Cameron Reynolds and Melvin Frazier. Hopefully the Wave can get things going in the right direction this season.

Louisiana Tech (Last Season: 23-10 (14-4) 2nd, Preseason Media Day Projection 3rd in CUSA, First Game Tonight vs UT-Tyler)

Last year was a good one for the Bulldogs as they turned in another 20+ win season, which is becoming the norm in Ruston. Coach Eric Konkol enters his third season and has kept Tech rolling. The only thing missing from this string of winning seasons is breaking through and reaching the Big Dance. Maybe this is the year, but they’ll have to replace some key parts. Gone are both starters in the front court from a year ago including Erik McCree who led the team in points & rebounds. The good news for the Bulldogs is they return all of their perimeter players including Preseason All Conference Guards Dequan Bracey & Jacobi Boykins.

ULL (Last Season: 21-12 (10-8) T-6th, Preseason Media Day Projection 5th in SBC, First Game Tonight @ Ole Miss)

Coach Bob Marlin enters his 8th year in Lafayette with possibly the deepest team he’s had during his tenure. The Cajuns return every major contributor from a season ago, except for point guard Jay Wright. Along with all of the guys coming back, including Preseason 2nd Team All Conference selection Bryce Washington and 3rd Team selection Frank Bartley, they add three transfers from Power 5 schools who are eligible this season and freshman guard Cedric Russell. If everything comes together this should be a really good year for the Cajuns.

ULM (Last Season: 9-24 (2-16) 12th, Preseason Media Day Projection 12th in SBC, First Game Tonight @ TCU)

Last year wasn’t a good one for the Warhawks as they finished last in the SBC. Coach Keith Richard enters his 8th year in Monroe trying to bounce back to the form of 2014-15 & 2015-16 where ULM won 20+ games. The good news for the Warhawks is they return their two leading scorers from a year ago in Preseason 3rd Team All Conference selection Travis Munnings and G/F Sam McDaniel.

Southeastern (Last Season: 16-16 (9-9) 7th, Preseason Media Day Projection 3rd in Southland, First Game Tonight vs Centenary)

Southeastern was the definition of .500 last season finishing with the same amount of wins and losses both overall and in conference play. Expectations are higher this season for Coach Jay Ladner as he goes into his 4th season in Hammond. The Lions have seen an increase in wins each season he’s been there and are expected to continue that trend this season. They return their leading scorer from a year ago in Preseason 2nd Team All Conference selection Marlain Veal and third leading scorer and leading rebounder Moses Greenwood.

UNO (Last Season: 20-12 (13-5) 1st, Preseason Media Day Projection 6th in Southland, First Game Tonight @ St. John’s)

UNO is coming off a great season in 2016-17 where the Privateers won the Southland Conference and were the only school in Louisiana to make the NCAA Tournament. Coach Mark Slessinger enters his 7th season with some retooling to do. UNO lost their three leading scorers from a year ago in Erik Thomas (who also led them in rebounds), Christavious Gill and Nate Frye. The Privateers will have to rely on some new players if they hope to repeat the success from a year ago.

Northwestern State (Last Season: 13-16 (7-11) T-8th, Preseason Media Day Projection 8th in Southland, First Game Tonight @ Texas)

Coach Mike McConathy enters his 19th in Natchitoches trying to improve from last year’s performance. And good news for Demons fans is he has proven that he can before. He’ll have some work to do this season though as the Demons come in without their two leading scorers from a year ago in Zeke Woodley & Sabri Thompson. This team is relatively young with six freshmen on the roster. New guys will have to step up in order to improve on last season’s record.

Nicholls (Last Season: 14-17 (7-11) T-8th, Preseason Media Day Projection 10th in Southland, First Game Tonight @ UT-Rio Grande Valley)

Coach Richie Riley enters his 2nd season at Nicholls trying to improve from last year’s results. That won’t be an easy task as his three leading scorers from a year ago in Deandre Harris, Ja’Dante’ Frye and Johnathan Bell are all gone. Preseason expectations are low for the Colonels this year, we’ll see if they can surprise people in the Southland.

McNeese (Last Season: 7-22 (4-14) 13th, Preseason Media Day Projection 13th in Southland, First Game Tonight @ Houston)

Our final Southland team in the state is McNeese who finished last in the conference a year ago and are projected to do so again. It’s been a rough couple of years for Coach Dave Simmons who enters his 11th season in Lake Charles trying to get things going in the right direction. The good news for Cowboys fans is four of the five leading scorers from a year ago return this year. Hopefully that continuity will yield better results for the Cowboys this season.

Southern (Last Season: 15-18 (10-8) T-3rd, Preseason Media Day Projection 2nd in SWAC, First Game Tonight @ Illinois)

There are high expectations for Interim Head Coach Morris Scott this season. The Jags were selected to finish 2nd in the SWAC in the preseason polls. Southern lost key contributors from a year ago in Shawn Prudhomme & Trelun Banks, but are led this year by Preseason 1st Team All Conference selection Jared Sam and 2nd Team selection Chris Thomas. If things come together, this could be a good year for the Jags.

Grambling (Last Season: 16-17 (10-8) T-3rd, Preseason Media Day Projection 7th in SWAC, First Game Tonight @ VCU)

And the last team of our preview is Grambling. Head Coach Donte Jackson enters his first year with Tigers taking over a team that finished tied for 3rd a season ago, but were selected to finish 7th this year in the preseason polls. The Tigers are replacing four of five starters from a year ago which is why expectations are lower this season. Coach Jackson has his work cut out for him, but can make a great impression in his first year if he can get this team to overachieve preseason expectations.