Under the Radar Game of the Day: Louisiana Monroe at Louisiana Lafayette, 8:15 PM Eastern
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The UTR Game of the Day returns to the Sun Belt Conference tonight for a contest between the conference’s two Louisiana schools as the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana Lafayette (or just Louisiana as they prefer) host the Warhawks of ULM. Although Arkansas-Little Rock continues to set the pace in the Sun Belt, both of these schools are clearly in the battle for second place this season. The conference tournament (which will be played in New Orleans again) uses a ladder format that grants a bye into the semifinals for the top two seeds Even if UALR runs away with the regular season title, the battle for second place will be extremely important in setting up the team that is most likely to play in the championship game on the other side of the bracket from Little Rock. Louisiana Lafayette currently sits at 7-3 in league play, in sole possession of second place. However, ULM and Arkansas State are only a game back at 6-4, and even Texas-Arlington remains in the chase at 5-4, despite their recent struggles.
The Ragin’ Cajuns enter play today with an overall record of 11-8, though respectable power ratings for that record with a KenPom of 88 (helped by the fact that their Adjusted Offensive efficiency is rated by KenPom as 33rd in the nation). Louisiana has won six straight games including a win at Georgia State and a home win last time out over Arlington. They are also undefeated at home so far this season, sitting at 9-0 heading into tonight’s game. The Cajuns are led by senior Shawn Long who has an impressive 14 double-doubles in 19 games so far this season Last time out against Arlington he had an extremely impressive 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. If ULM cannot find a way to contain Long, Louisiana should stretch their home record to 10-0 tonight.
The Warhawks of Louisiana Monroe enter tonight’s game with a record of 10-11 overall. After starting conference play 2-0, including a home win back in December over Louisiana Lafayette by a score of 81-70, they had dropped four straight game road games before winning their last four, all of which were at home. In fact, the Warhawks enter pay tonight undefeated at home in league play, but winless on the road. To show their home/road disparity even greater, all 11 of ULM’s losses so far this season came away from home, while 9 of their 10 wins were at home (they did defeat Northwestern State on the road back in November). The Warhawks will need a strong effort tonight to pull off the road victory and move into a tie for second place in the Sun Belt standings. Australian import Majok Deng could be a factor there as he led the way for ULM in their December win over Louisiana, scoring 30 points (including 3 made 3-pointers) while pulling down 8 boards. The 6-10 Deng is a big man that can shoot from outside, as can be attested by Texas-Arlington. He knocked down a career high 7 threes against the Mavericks in a victory by ULM last week.