4:45 LRN Sportscast February 9

Dennis Allen was introduced as the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints yesterday. Allen believes he is the right man at the right time to continue the Saints winning tradition. One of the keys to doing that will be revamping the offense. After a year in which everything went wrong for New Orleans on that side of the ball, Allen was very direct in saying what he expects their offensive identity to be.

Cut 6 (14) “…situationally.”

Former Saints assistants Doug Marrone and John Morton are being considered as additions to Allen’s staff. Current offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will stay with the team but in a lesser role.

The LSU men’s basketball team ended its three-game slide with a 76-68 victory over Texas A&M. The Tigers led by 20 at the half but had to hold off the Aggies in the second to earn Will Wade’s 100th win at LSU. Tari Eason led the way with 25 points and 12 boards. Next up for the Tigers, Mississippi State at home in the P-MAC on Saturday night.

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada and picks. Oleh Kosel, editor of The Bird Writes-dot-com, says that a move like this shows that the Pels are serious about making a run now, and in the seasons ahead.

Cut 18 (10) “…a lot higher.”

College baseball is just around the corner, and Louisiana players continue to grab preseason honors. Southeastern dominated the Southland Conference’s Preseason All-Conference team with eight players, including five on the first team. Northwestern State and UNO had four selections each, McNeese two, and Nicholls one. Southern placed four players on the Preseason All-SWAC team, two on the first team.

Burrow-mania continues to sweep across Cincinnati in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. The Cincinnati Zoo has named a five-week-old penguin chick after the Bengals QB. A spokesman for the zoo says little Joe will wear orange and black ID bans when he joins the rest of the penguin colony in the spring.