Former ULL player: Tourney game a feeling hard to describe

Rhett Hebert, a 2003 Erath High graduate, knows the excitement building for the UL-Lafayette basketball team as the NCAA tournament approaches.
He was a member of the Ragin’Cajuns hoops teams that made back-to-back tourney appearances, including the school’s last in ‘05.
“It’s a feeling that is hard to describe,” Hebert said Monday. “It’s just a different level of excitement to go to the tournament.”
The Cajuns play Creighton Friday in San Antonio, Texas in the tournament’s first round.
Hearing your team’s name called during the Sunday TV selection show simply represents the return on months of hard work.
“It’s a long season,” Hebert said, “from the first day of individual workouts, to the start of practices, through the season and to the conference tournament. It’s a long grind. Once you get to the (NCAA) tournament, you reflect on all of the ups and downs you have had to get to that point.
“I remember it being a great feeling.”
“A lot of guys embrace playing on the big stage because they are able to show their talent,” Hebert said. “They know that everybody is watching. It’s always fun to play on that level against the best competition.”
The Cajuns will see plenty of that on Friday. Creighton is led by Doug McDermott, one of the most prolific players in NCAA history. The senior forward ranks fifth Division I scoring list, with 3,105 points. He comes into this game averaging nearly 27 points a game.
Hebert said his advice for the current players is to not get caught up in numbers or rankings. The Cajuns were competitive during the two appearances when Hebert was a member, including a 61-52 loss to No. 3 North Carolina State in ‘04 and a 68-62 defeat in ‘05 to No. 4 Louisville, a team that eventually reached the Final Four.
“I think every team that makes it to the tournament is probably playing its best basketball,” Hebert said. “Pretty much any team that makes it has a good chance of an upset. Every year there are always Cinderella teams.
“There’s no reason to think that you cant’ win.”
Hebert will definitely be rooting for a victory Friday. Family, including 10-month-old daughter, Scarlett, and oilfield work life have limited the amount of time Hebert has been able to keep up with Cajuns.
“I have made a few games and I always like to be around the program,” Hebert said. “I think (head coach) Bob Marlin and his staff have done a very good job. I think they have a good chance of beating Creighton. I think it will be a good matchup. San Antonio is not too far so there should be a good crowd. I will not be able to make it but I will definitely be cheering for them.
“It’s been a while since they have made it and the excitement is back in town.”