4:45 LRN Sportscast February 10

CJ McCollum will make his debut for the New Orleans Pelicans tonight as they host the Miami Heat. McCollum has been anxious to join the Pels, who have needed a major upgrade in the backcourt. McCollum, who has averaged better than 20 points per game in each of the last seven seasons, says there are a number of reasons that he’s excited to continue his career in New Orleans.

Cut 21 (21) “…me to evolve.”

The Pelicans will be trying to earn their first five-game win streak since the 2017-18 season.

Attorneys for Saints running back Alvin Kamara have begun their own investigation into the Las Vegas brawl that led to his arrest last Sunday. Lawyer Drew Findling says the allegations made against Kamara aren’t consistent with the player’s conduct throughout his career. Kamara was charged with suspicion of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison with a fine of $10,000.

It’s a top 20 showdown at the P-MAC tonight as the 14th-ranked LSU women host number 17 Georgia. LSU is coming off a tough road win against Ole Miss while Georgia is looking to bounce back from a home loss to Florida. The Tigers are one-up on the season series, having beaten the Dawgs in Athens on Dec. 30, 68-62. Coach Kim Mulkey expects a tough battle in the race to catch South Carolina in the SEC standings.

Cut 22 (12) “…hard-fought game.”

Tip-off is set for 7:30.

LSU’s Tari Eason and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Lofton Jr. have both been named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team. LSU’s Khayla Pointer was selected for the Women’s Team.

In other college hoops action around the state tonight, the UL Cajuns will try to stay in the top 4 of the Sun Belt women’s standings on the road versus Texas State. Louisiana Tech’s men are at Charlotte, Southland leader UNO hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, ULM welcomes Texas-Arlington, and Southeastern and McNeese will go at it in Hammond.