The Pelicans resume their playoff chase tonight as they host the Phoenix Suns. The Pels are a nine point favorite to win tonight as the Suns are struggling. They’ve lost seven of their last eight. New Orleans is tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

LSU baseball begins a weekend set tonight against Auburn, but the forecast doesn’t look great. There’s a 90-percent chance of rain on Friday and Sunday. Coach Paul Mainieri hopes the weather will not be a distraction…
cut 17 (13) “….same thing”
Jared Poche will get the start on the mound tonight for LSU. Auburn counters with sophomore right-hander Cole Lipscomb, who is 4-0 with a 2.65 ERA.

And former LSU Tiger and St. Thomas More star Mikie Mahtook has been called up to the Big Leagues by the Tampa Bay Rays.

It looks like former Saint Jimmy Graham doesn’t have the respect of one of his new teamamtes. Seattle defensive lineman Michael Bennett called Graham soft after the Seahawks played the Saints in the 2013 playoffs. Bennett was asked during a radio interview in Seattle if he still felt that way, and Bennett said he sure does.

The Saints have released their upcoming preseason schedule. New Orleans will begin the four-week exhibition slate at Baltimore and then host defending Super Bowl champion New England and the Houston Texans in week two and three. The Black and Gold visit Green Bay in the preseason finale. The only specific date and time that’s been finalized is the game against the Texans, which is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday August 30th at 3 PM.

Former Ragin Cajuns star Charles Tillman has signed with the Carolina Panthers. Tillman leads active defensive backs with 41 forced fumbles and is fourth with 36 interceptions, but has only played 10 games the last two seasons because of triceps injuries.