The Louisiana “Ragin’ Cajuns” will bring their 1-1 record and seven new rotational players to the Fertitta Center Wednesday evening to face the Houston Cougars. I suspect this UH team will be very focused and determined following a 74-69 loss to Auburn on Saturday night.

This could be a very tough matchup for Louisiana. They have some turnover issues (12 turnovers/game) and have given up 23 offensive rebounds in two games combined against Kent State and UT-Dallas. I could see them giving up 20 turnovers and 20 offensive rebounds to Houston on Wednesday night. The Coogs are way too athletic for them at this point in the season.

The Ragin’ Cajuns have some decent pieces. Most of their guys want to use their athleticism to get in the paint and make a play. They have a few guys that make an open three. They don’t have anyone who can make the difficult shots that we saw Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford make, nor do they have a dominant big man like Johni Broome. They have several guys who could lead them in scoring, but it’s too early in the season to know who “their guy” is. They will have a tough time scoring in what should be a bounce-back game for the Coogs!

Head of the Snake

It’s really too early in the season to know who their “Head of the Snake” is. They don’t have anyone who has stood out on film in their first two games. They have three guys who would be my early-in-the-season candidates for “Head of the Snake.”

1. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil has been their leading scorer through two games. He has a solid build and is best when getting downhill and using his ability to be a creative finisher. He has only attempted three three-point shots this year. He may struggle some vs the blitz on ball screens.
2. Kentrell Garnett is someone Louisiana Head Coach Bob Marlin wants to take more shots. He leads the team in three-point shooting with five makes on eight attempts. He’s a crafty guard leading the team in minutes, averaging 31mpg.
3. Koron Davis is a Louisville transfer. He is a very athletic kid who is a three-level scorer. He loves to get downhill to attack the rim. He is capable of the pull-up jumper. He has a strange-looking shot but is 2/4 on the season from beyond the arc. He scored zero points in his Louisiana debut vs Kent State. He bounced back vs UT-Dallas with 24 points. He may have needed a game to get comfortable with his new team. He is someone to watch out for.

Louisiana Offense

• They are an athletic team that prefers to score off the bounce;
• They are not a great three-point shooting team so far; 13/41 on the season from 3pt;
• Louisiana will need to create some turnovers to get some easy opportunities vs Houston.

Louisiana Defense

• Louisiana will likely try some fullcourt defensive pressure after a made FT or FG, but their version is not as tough as Auburn’s. They usually run a fullcourt M2M press to get you into the shot clock but may try a 3/4 court 1-2-2 trap to attempt to force turnovers;
• Not a great rebounding team. Coogs should own the offensive glass;
• They struggle to keep guards from driving. I’d expect a big game from Milos Uzan;
• They try to double-team the post often. It could be a big assist game for J’Wan Roberts;
• I only saw them play M2M in their first two games; They may need to try some zone to slow down UH and try to keep them out of the paint.

Louisiana Personnel (* Indicates Probable Starters)

**Starters could change as Louisiana tries to figure out their best rotations.

*#8 Mostapha El Moutaouakkil – 6’6″ JR Guard – (Indian River State)

• 13ppg, 6rpg;
• Tall/strong/athletic guard;
• Aggressive and a creative finisher in the paint;
• Likes to do his work in the mid-range. Catch and make a move;

*#2 Kentrell Garnett – 6’1″ SR – Guard

• 13ppg, 2rpg;
• Smaller shooting guard;
• Shifty guard when driving to the rim;
• Their best three-point shooter. Coach wants him to attempt 10+ 3pa’s per game;
• Aggressive on-ball defender. Pesky defender;

*#23 Kyran Ratliff – 6’8″ RS SO – Forward

• 2ppg, 3prg;
• Post player;
• Likes to play in the paint. Prefers the right-handed hook-shot;
• May attempt a three if wide-open;

*#5 London Fields – 6’4″ – SO Guard

• 4ppg, 2rpg;
• Athletic guard;
• Capable three-point shooter;

*#52 Michael Thomas – 6’1″ SR – Guard

• 4ppg, 2rpg;
• Smaller point guard;
• Solid mid-range shooter;
• Tough in transition;
• Plays through passing lanes on defense;

#11 Koron Davis – 6’7″ JR – Guard (Paris CC/ Los Angeles SW/ Louisville)

• 12ppg, 3rpg;
• World traveler: On his 4th college team;
• Long guard;
• Really aggressive attacking the rim. Can get out of control at times;
• Soft touch on the mid-range jumper;
• Weird shooting form, but is capable of making the DEEP three.

#13 Christian Wright – 6’3″ SR – Guard (Georgia/ Oregon State)

• 8ppg, 1rpg;
• Decent jump shot;
• Likes to get his teammates involved;
• Third D1 program, he’s gone coast-to-coast.

#0 Jeremiah Evans – 6’10” FR – Forward

• 7ppg, 2rpg;
• Tall post-player;
• 4-star recruit; Top high school prospect in Louisiana last year;
• Not a threat outside of the paint; Can finish inside with with both hands;
• Going to be really good, but plays like a raw freshman on both ends of the court;

#10 Zeke Cook – 6’6″ SR – Forward (Northeast MS CC/ Jackson State)

• 7ppg, 9rpg;
• Played against UH last season while at Jackson State;
• They like to use him around the paint;
• Capable of stepping out to shoot the three; 2/2 (100%) from 3pt this season;
• Good energy guy; Solid rebounder;

#4 Kyndall Davis – 6’5″ SR – Guard/Forward (Eastern Illinois)

• 5ppg, 3rpg;
• Tall guard;
• Aggressive at driving to the basket; Nice touch in the paint;

#3- Chancellor White- 6’6″- RS SO- Guard

• 3ppg, 1rpg;
• Houston kid (Foster HS)
• Sat out last year due to injury;
• Solid three-point shooter;

#34 Hosana Kitenge – 6’8″ SR – Forward (Three Rivers CC)

• Their best player; Preseason All-Conference;
• Out for the season.

Keys to Victory

1. Dominate the glass on both ends. It should be a HUGE night for everyone to rebound, especially for the Coogs’ big men.
2. Pressure them on defense. They tend to turn the ball over a lot. I would expect the Coogs to force 18+ turnovers in this game.
3. Look to get paint touches! This should be a good opportunity to get Milos in the paint and allow him to be creative to score, kick out to open shooters, or lob to the big men around the rim. Everyone who touches the ball should be looking to attack.
4. Get the bench involved early and often. We see Mercy Miller early in this game and will allow him to do what he does best. This is the type of game that can build confidence in the guys who did not get to play much vs Auburn and for those who struggled during that game.
5. Have fun and put on a show. Playing against a team that struggles with turnovers should lead to some show-time dunks and three-point opportunities that will ignite the crowd. It will be important to be a great teammate while on the bench, cheer for your teammates, wave towels, and be involved so that when it’s your time to get on the court, they will do the same for you. BIG bounce-back game for the Coogs Wednesday night at the Fertitta Center!