The LSU Tigers begin a weekend series tonight against the Tennessee Volunteers. Zach Hess will start on the mound tonight for the Tigers, while freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard will be the starter on Saturday, replacing Caleb Gilbert. Coach Paul Mainieri has yet to decide who will start Sunday. Mainieri says Gilbert, Devin Fontenot or Nick Bush are potential options….
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LSU enters this weekend with a 6-6 record in the league, a game and a half back of first place Arkansas. Tennessee is 5-and-7 in the SEC.

Because of the threat of severe weather in north Louisiana, Louisiana Tech will not begin its series tonight with Charlotte. The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow, starting at 2 PM. The Cajuns are at Appalachian State, while the Warhawks visit Little Rock.

Gayle Benson tells other NFL owners in a letter that she will own and operate the Saints until her death. Benson has said several times she’s not interested in selling the team and now it’s in writing. She also told the NFL owners that they will continue to operate with the same sens of pride and good business practices going forward.

Former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason is under consideration for the Congressional Gold Medal. Gleason is battling A-L-S and has been a leader on efforts to develop and provide technology for those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow.

The Pelicans first-round playoff series against the Trail Blazers begins tomorrow night in Portland. The Trail Blazers do not have anyone that can match up with Anthony Davis, but the Pelicans will have to figure out how to slow down Damian Lilliard. He scored 41 points in the last game the two teams played in. Tip-off is at 9:30.