  We propose alternatives to coupled-channels calculations with loosely-bound
exotic nuclei (CDCC), based on the the random matrix (RMT) and the optical
background (OPM) models for the statistical theory of nuclear reactions. The
coupled channels equations are divided into two sets. The first set, described
by the CDCC, and the other set treated with RMT. The resulting theory is a
Statistical CDCC (CDCC$_S$), able in principle to take into account many pseudo
channels.
