The Pelicans are now 3.5 games back for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after their big 95-82 win over the Grizzlies. DeMarcus Cousins had his best game since arriving in New Orleans, scoring 41 points hauling in 17 rebounds. The Pels next game is Friday at Houston.

Will Wade will be introduced to the public today as the new men’s basketball coach at LSU. ESPN college basketball writer Jeff Goodman says Wade sees tremendous upside with the LSU job and Wade believes he can recruit Louisiana and Texas.

There’s a big college baseball game tonight at Alex Box Stadium as 4th ranked LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana. Freshman righthander Zack Hess will start for the Tigers. He’s 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA. The Lions have won 10-of-their last 11 and they are led by third baseman Taylor Schwaner, who is hitting .362 with five home runs and 30 RBIs. First pitch is at 6:30.

Free-agent cornerback Sterling Moore is returning to the Saints as he’s agreed to a one-year deal with the Black and Gold. Moore started 12 games last season for New Orleans and intercepted two passes and had 13 pass break ups.

Former LSU linebacker Kevin Minter has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2013 second round pick of the Cardinals, made 37 starts in Arizona and had 174 tackles and five sacks.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron says running back Derrius Guice was not at practice yesterday, because of an ankle injury. But he says it’s not serious. Orgeron says they are still waiting to see how serious the injury is to Sci Martin, who is an edge rusher that was hurt in a scrimmage on Saturday.

In college baseball last night…Houston blanked the Cajuns four to nothing. Louisiana committed two errors and was held to five hits. ULM downed Grambling seven to one. Tulane trounced McNeese State 10 to two and Louisiana Tech lost its fourth straight as they fell to Stephen F Austin six to two. It’s just the second time the Bulldogs were held to two runs or less.