LAFAYETTE, La. (NEWS 15) — It's been a tough week for UL sports. Cajuns football saw its winning streak snapped as the team lost its star quarterback. Meantime, Cajun men's basketball is off to its worst start since 2014. The coaches of both teams talked about overcoming the challenges they face.
Men’s basketball head coach Bob Marlin explained Tuesday that this week was the first time in a while the Cajuns have had the opportunity to practice with 10 players. It seems an illness ran through the locker room over the weekend, causing players to step up the number of minutes they normally play in a game.
"The guys that played tonight were the guys that were sick,” said Coach Marlin. “Kyndall, Zeke, Mo, and Koron. They made mistakes on the court from a scouting standpoint, didn't make baskets and plays that they normally make."
Kentrel Garnet led the team in minutes with 35, and is normally solid from outside, but was 0-of-10 shooting and grabbed one rebound. Zeke Cook, who has been solid this year, also had zero points and one rebound.
"It’s more hard to get in a rhythm, like you said,” said guard Christian Wright. “We had some people in and out of practice the last few days, so, and then, they come back and play after being sick and tiredness. I just think we let them come in and be stronger than us and we can't do that."
The Cajun football team also ran into a roadblock on Saturday, snapping a six-game win streak.
"Last week, we didn't really run the ball efficiently,” said head coach Michael Desormeaux. “We turned the ball over. Then, you get into a game in the second half and you have to play the game a little differently, so hopefully, we can establish our formula and play our style of football."
After breaking his collar bone, starting quarterback Ben Wooldridge has had to give the reigns to fellow signal-caller Chandler Fields. Helping the backup is familiarity with his weapons.
"I'm feeling pretty comfortable with everybody,” said Fields. “Throughout the season, we do a good job of routes on air. Throw to the receivers. In the offseason, everybody worked out together and threw to the same guys. There is not really a dropoff when going with the twos and the ones."
If the Cajuns win against Troy and South Alabama loses, UL will lock up the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
The basketball team is back on the court on Friday to play Liberty in the Virgin Islands.
