It has been a difficult couple of years to be a Louisiana basketball fan. And that may be putting it mildly.

Fresh off a 2023 NCAA Tournament berth in which Bob Marlin’s Cajuns nearly pulled off a stunning upset of Tennessee, there was a tremendous amount of optimism surrounding the program. Returners like Joe Charles, Kobe Julian, Kentrell Garnett, and Kyran Ratliffe brought valuable experience into the following season, while newcomer Hosana Kitenge quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his towering presence in the paint.

Expectations were high. Fans believed the program was ready to take the next step and finally earn an NCAA Tournament win in 2024, something that had eluded Louisiana throughout the Marlin era and hadn’t happened since the Cajuns defeated Oklahoma in 1992. Instead, hopes came crashing down when Louisiana bowed out of the conference tournament with a jaw-dropping 27-point loss to Arkansas State in the quarterfinals.

Just a few games into the following season, Louisiana parted ways with Marlin after a 30-point loss to a Southland Conference opponent effectively sealed his fate. The Cajuns would finish the year with just 12 wins, ushering in a new era shortly thereafter. The Quannas White era.

Affectionately known as “Coach Q,” White arrived in Lafayette with one of the most impressive résumés in the country. As an assistant coach (and later associate head coach) under legendary Kelvin Sampson at Houston, his pedigree immediately energized the fan base. That excitement only grew as his recruiting impact was felt almost instantly, flipping several Houston commits and convincing highly rated players that Louisiana was the place to be.

However, the beginning of the Coach Q era was, to put it lightly, disappointing.

Despite a roster filled with high-level talent, chemistry was noticeably lacking. Louisiana picked up its first win two games into the 2025–26 season, then wouldn’t earn another for more than a month. That drought finally ended with a win over ULM — the first time the Cajuns scored more than 70 points all season, improving their record to 2–11, if you can even call that an improvement.

Up to that point, the basketball was rough. Execution was sloppy. Coaching decisions were questioned. Chemistry simply wasn’t there.

To put it bluntly: it was awful basketball.

But in mid-January, during a loss at Texas State, something felt… different.

Just four days earlier, Louisiana had suffered a 20-point home loss to Troy in the Cajundome, and many fans (myself included ) were ready to shift their focus to spring sports. Yet on that road trip to San Marcos, pieces began to fall into place. Although the game ended in a five-point loss to the Bobcats, the Cajuns looked more cohesive than they had at any point during the season. They competed late, stayed connected, and showed signs of growth, even if a lack of “killer instinct” ultimately cost them.

Those signs quickly turned into results.

Louisiana got revenge against rival South Alabama just days later, and once again the improvement was evident in both execution and coaching as the Cajuns secured their second road win of the season.

Now riding a four-game winning streak, Louisiana sits at 9–16. While that record may not jump off the page, it’s important to understand how far this team has come.

Early in the season, the Cajuns were averaging just 52 points per game. They’re now scoring in the 70s.

Offensive production is more balanced, with players like Dorian Finister (the hero at JMU), Karris Bilal, De’Vion Lavergne, and Dariyus Woodsen stepping up. That balance has allowed point guard Jaxon Olvera to distribute the ball more effectively. And while shooting inconsistencies still surface at times, Louisiana led Georgia State by as many as 26 points , a number that once represented an entire half's worth of offense earlier in the season.

Most importantly, this team looks like it’s having fun again.

Seeing players sprint into the stands to dance with the band after a win is something Cajuns fans haven’t witnessed in quite some time. The joy is evident. They enjoy playing with one another — and, more importantly, for one another.

Do I enjoy watching a 9-16 team play basketball in early February? Absolutely. The journey to that 9th win has been a rough one.  But the improvement from game to game, possession to possession, has been a lot of fun to watch.

While I’ll temper my excitement about how the rest of the season unfolds, I’m going to enjoy every win this Louisiana team earns. Winning hasn’t come easily over the past few years. But if the upward trajectory continues and the growth remains steady, things could get interesting come March.