'Make some frean' noise'

Don't look now, but Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team is streaking again. The Cajuns have won six of their last seven games, including four in a row, and have their next two games at home.

With their last two wins, the Cajuns also improved to 9-0 under Bob Marlin in February.

Besides the budding winning streak, Thursday's game against University of Arkansas at Little Rock has added importance. If the Cajuns can come away with a win, they will move into first place in the Western Division of the Sun Belt Conference.

It's imperative that the Cajuns win their next two home games, Thursday against UALR and Saturday against Arkansas State, because they spend next week on the road against division foes North Texas and Denver.

If the Cajuns want to play in the NCAA tournament this season, they will have to win the Sun Belt Conference tournament, and securing a bye in the tournament will put them one game closer to that goal.

You're probably reading this thinking, "Oh man it would be cool to play in the NCAA tournament!"

Yeah, it would. So show up to the freakin' games and make some freakin' noise!

During last season's 11-game winning streak, the crowds shot above 5,000 people and even reached 8,000 against Denver. For some reason, the crowds have not shown up this season; not a single game has seen an attendance of more than 4,000 fans.

Despite that fact, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns are 9-2 at home this season. This Thursday's game is going to be huge, and it deserves an equally huge and boisterous crowd.

The student section at the Cajundome is especially entertaining because it is situated directly behind the opposing team's bench. This allows the students the opportunity to yell at players on the bench, coaches and even equipment managers, if you're into that sort of thing.

Don't underestimate the power of some good heckling. These players are all between the ages of 17 and 22 and playing in the Sun Belt means they don't have much experience with rowdy crowds.

Crowd noise works, so let's make some.

If you're in the student section, stand up and make yourself heard. Before the game, grab a copy of The Vermilion and read it while the opposing team is being introduced. Once the other team is introduced, toss your Vermilion in the air and begin making noise for your Ragin' Cajuns.

Be sure to keep the noise going throughout the game. If you aren't creative, yell aimlessly and maybe even partake in the "defense, clap clap" chant. If you are creative, specialize your heckling; just be sure to not give the cops a reason to escort you out.

The players feed off the energy of the crowd. Let's help them out and have a little fun in the process. The games are free for students and provide you with an opportunity to blow off some steam.