University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Picked to Win Sun Belt West
10/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002
The Ragin' Cajuns were the consensus pick to repeat as West Division champions as they collected all 11 first place votes and 66 total points. UL Lafayette returns four starters and six other letterwinners from last season's 20-11 overall record and NIT appearance.
Voting was conducted among the league's head coaches.
The
Cajuns top two players, Anthony Johnson and
Michael Southall, were both selected to the
preseason all-league squad. Southall was a first team
selection while Johnson completed the Cajuns honorees
with a second team spot.
Southall, the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year last season, took the league by storm as a freshman. The West Salem, Wisc., native set a school record with 97 blocks and averaged 13.0 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Chicago, Ill., native Johnson was a member of the 2001-02 All-Sun Belt team as well as the All-Tournament Team. He led UL Lafayette in scoring last season with 14.9 points per game. He needs 165 points this season to become the 34th 1,000-point scorer in school history.
Joining the Cajuns as a consensus choice to repeat as division champions was defending Sun Belt East Division champion Western Kentucky. WKU's Chris Marcus was tabbed the league's preseason Player of the Year. The Hilltoppers led the league with three players being named to the preseason team.
The Cajuns and Hilltoppers will battle on national television this season Feb. 26 at the Cajundome. Tipoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN 2.
Fans will have the opportunity to get their first look at the Cajuns in real game-time situation on Wednesday, Nov. 13 when UL Lafayette hosts a 7:05 p.m. exhibition against Sport Tours International.
Louisiana-Lafayette, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Jessie Evans, will open the 2002-03 season Saturday, Nov. 23 at Mississippi State. The first regular season home game is slated for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:05 p.m. against Louisiana College in the Cajundome.
Fans can purchase season tickets by visiting the Cajundome Ticket Office, located at 444 Cajundome Blvd., or by calling the office directly at (337) 265-2100.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
