The number one ranked LSU baseball team overcame a rough start by left-hander pitcher Jared Poche and two five-run deficits to beat Auburn 9 to 8 last night in the SEC Tournament. The Tigers offense put together a six-run fifth to grab a one-run lead, which held for the rest of the game. It’s LSU’s eighth straight SEC Tournament victory and they’ll go at it again tonight against Arkansas.

While LSU had a thrilling victory last night, the Ragin Cajuns suffered a heart breaking loss in the Sun Belt Tournament. UL Lafayette blew a three-run lead in the ninth and lost to Texas State 8-7. There were two big errors that sparked the Bobcat rally. The Cajuns will need to beat Troy today to keep their season alive.

In the Southland….all four teams from Louisiana are in the losers bracket, including top-seeded Southeastern Louisiana. Tulane topped UCONN three to one in the American Athletic Conference yesterday and the Green Wave will face East Carolina at 6 PM tonight.

New Orleans has been invited by the NFL to bid to host the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls. Eric Gill reports…
cut 2 (29) “…reporting”

According to the Monroe News Star…Louisiana Tech has dropped Mississippi State and Texas A-and-M from its 2016 football schedule and instead the Bulldogs will play Texas Tech and UMASS.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis has been named to the All-NBA first team. It’s the first time in his three-year career that he’s received that honor.

The top-ranked LSU Tigers gave up five runs in the first inning but battled back to take a 9-8 win over Auburn yesterday in SEC Tournament play. A six run fifth inning sealed the victory for the two time defending tourney champs. The Tigers will face Arkansas in a third round tournament matchup today at 1PM. That game can be seen on the SEC Network.

The opening day of the Southland Baseball tournament was not kind to Louisiana teams as all four lost their first round games. Top seeded Southeastern Louisiana was downed by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-2, Northwestern State lost to Houston Baptist 4-1, Nicholls State came up short against Central Arkansas 7-6, and McNeese State was defeated by Sam Houston 5-1. Today, the Colonels face the Demons at 9AM and the Lions take on the Cowboys at noon. The winners will advance, while the losers will go home.

In the Sun Belt Tourney, UL-Lafayette fell to Texas State 8-7. A couple of Ragin’ Cajun errors in the top of the ninth inning gave the Bobcats four unearned runs and the win. The third-seeded Cajuns will look to bounce back then they face Troy this afternoon at 12:30.

Tulane got a win in their opening game of the American Baseball Championship. Sophomore Lex Kaplan blasted two home runs as the Green Wave got past UConn 3-1. Tulane will next face East Carolina tonight at 6.

New Orleans has been invited to bid to host the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls. New Orleans lost out on hosting the 2018 Super Bowl to Minneapolis and their new stadium last year. Jay Cicero, President of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says with new stadiums proposed for Atlanta and Los Angeles, the competition will be stiff…

cut 8 (06) “those Super Bowls”

Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, and Los Angeles have also received invitations to bid on hosting the big game from the NFL.

The NBA announces that Pelicans forward Anthony Davis has been named to the league’s All-Defensive Second Team. Davis led the league in both total blocks and blocks per game this season. Davis has tallied 501 blocks in his three-year NBA career. This is the first time Davis has been named to the All-Defensive team.

New Orleans has been invited to bid to host the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls. The Big Easy last hosted the Super Bowl in 2013. Jay Cicero, President of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says four other cities also received invitations…

cut 25 (12) “on 2020″

New Orleans lost out on hosting the 2018 Super Bowl to Minneapolis and their new stadium last year. Cicero says with new stadiums proposed for Atlanta and Los Angeles, the competition will be stiff.

Next season in the NFL, the extra point will start from the 15-yard line, instead of the two. That’s the result of a vote by NFL owners, who are looking to make the extra point a little more exciting.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament got underway today. Nicholls State scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but came up short losing to Central Arkansas 7-6. Northwestern State fell to Houston Baptist 4-1.

The NBA announces that Pelicans forward Anthony Davis has been named to the league’s All-Defensive Second Team. Davis led the league in both total blocks and blocks per game this season. Davis has tallied 501 blocks in his three-year NBA career. This is the first time Davis has been named to the All-Defensive team.

The Louisiana Black Bear population has reached a point in its recovery that the federal government recommends the removal of the animal from the threatened species list. It will likely take a year before the bear is delisted, as federal officials must gather public input on the recommendation. Once that process is completed, it could open the door for regulated hunting of the black bear. But state department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says that’s not happening anytime soon…

cut 15 (11) “rifle”

The Louisiana Black Bear was placed on the threatened species list in 1992.

LSU will take on Auburn this afternoon at 4:30 PM at the SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. LSU has won the last two SEC Tournaments and with Paul Mainieri as the head coach, the Tigers won the SEC Tourney from 2008 through 2011. The coach says they go into this tournament with very little pressure on them, since they know they’ll be a part of the NCAA Tournament….
cut 17 (12) “…LSU”
Jared Poche will start on the mound for the Tigers today. He’s 7-and-1 with a 3.18 ERA.

At 4:00 today, UL Lafayette faces Texas State in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Cajuns will need to win this tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Southeastern Louisiana is the top seed in the Southland tournament. The Lions will take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at 4 PM.

Pelican fans who are hoping for former Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks to replace Monty Williams can quit hoping. According to a Yahoo report, Brooks is passing on interviews with the Pelicans and Nuggets and he’s leaning towards not coaching next season.

Next season in the NFL, the extra point will start from the 15-yard line, instead of the two-yard line. That’s the result of a vote by the NFL owners, who are looking to make the extra point a little more exciting. They are also giving the defense the opportunity to return a blocked extra point for two points. Two-point conversions will take place from the two-yard line.

And speaking of kicking, the Saints have released veteran kicker Shayne Graham. Graham was 19 of 22 on field goals last season, including a long of 50 yards. New Orleans has two other kickers on the roster, Zach Hocker who they signed after a tryout last weekend and Dustin Hopkins. Wide receiver Lance Lewis takes Graham’s spot on the roster. He spent last season on the 49ers practice squad.

The LSU baseball team begins play this afternoon at 4:30 in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says this week will get them ready for the NCAA Tournament…
cut 16 (20) “…all of em”
LSU has won the last two SEC Tournaments and the Tigers will take on Auburn at 4:30 this afternoon.

In the Sun Belt tournament….third-seeded U-L Lafayette will battle sixth seeded Texas State. The Southland Tournament gets underway at nine a-am this morning as third seeded Nicholls State faces sixth seeded Central Arkansas. Following that game it’s Northwestern State against Houston Baptist.

NFL Owners have voted to move the extra point to the 15-yard line, while two-point conversions will continue to remain at the two-yard line. Also, if the defense blocks the kick or if there’s a turnover on a two-point try, the defense can return it to the other end zone for two points.

Today at the NFL owners meeting, New Orleans will find out if they’ll be allowed to bid for a Super Bowl in either 2019 or 2020. Atlanta, South Florida and Tampa are also expected to receive bids.

Return specialists Michael Lewis and Tyrone Hughes have been elected to the Saints Hall of Fame. Hughes played his high school football at St. Aug, while Lewis graduated from Grace King in Metairie. Each player had one all-pro season as a kick returner in the NFL.

Kentucky Coach John Calipari says he has no interest in the New Orleans Pelicans head coaching job or any other job. Calipari has been linked to the vacancy in New Orleans, because he coached Pelican players Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans when they were in college.

The Saints announced today that they’ve released veteran kicker Shayne Graham. Graham was 19 of 22 on field goals last season, including a long of 50 yards. New Orleans has two other kickers on the roster, Zach Hocker who they signed after a tryout last weekend and Dustin Hopkins. Wide receiver Lance Lewis takes Graham’s spot on the roster. He spent last season on the 49ers practice squad.

Two New Orleans-area natives have been elected to the Saints Hall of Fame. Tyrone Hughes and the “Beer Man” Michael Lewis were oustanding return men during time with the “Black and Gold.” Hughes was a standout at St. Aug in New Orleans and drafted by the Saints in 1993. Lewis attended Grace King High School. He was driving a beer truck when he made the Saints roster in 2000.

The SEC Baseball Tournament is underway in Hoover, Alabama. Earlier today, Alabama eliminated Ole Miss six to one. The Tigers will take on the winner of this afternoon’s game between Kentucky and Auburn.

Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari released a statement today that says he’s NOT interested in the Pelicans head coaching job. Calipari has been linked to the vacancy in New Orleans, because he coached current Pelican players Tyreke Evans and Anthony Davis in college.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team has been known as the “Dunkin Dawgs” under former head coach Michael White. Tech’s new top dog, Eric Konkol, says he wants to keep that style in place….
cut 18 (18) “….to them”

And LSU has captured the SEC All-Sports men’s title for 2014-15, thanks to conference titles in baseball and men’s golf. It’s the first SEC All-Sports title for the LSU men since 1996-97.

The SEC Baseball Tournament gets underway today in Hoover, Alabama. The Fighting Tigers have the top seed and they’ll play tomorrow at 4:30 PM. They’ll face the winner of this afternoon’s contest between Kentucky and Auburn.

UNO is looking for a new head baseball coach as the 74-year-old Ron Maestri has decided to step down. Maestri started the Privateers baseball program in 1972 and after taking a 28-year-absence, Maestri came back two years ago to get the program moving in the right direction.

And speaking of coaching, LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named as the SEC Coach of the Year. Mainieri accepts the award on behalf of his entire staff…
cut 30 (08) “…in the country”
And LSU pitcher Alex Lange was named freshman of the year.

Louisiana Tech officials have chosen Eric Konkol as the man to replace Michael White as the Bulldogs men’s basketball coach. Tech is coming off a season in which they won 27 games and finished second in scoring in Conference USA. During his introductory press conference, Konkol talked about his philosphy on offense….
cut 17 (19) “….great shot”

In NBA news…the Pelicans will reportedly speak with Golden State assistant coach Alvin Gentry about becoming the head coach in New Orleans. The Pels are also said to be interested in Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is not expected to be back in Chicago.

And former Ragin Cajuns star Elfrid Payton has been named to the NBA’s All-rookie team.

New men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol says he’s wants to build on a standard of excellence that’s already growing at Louisiana Tech. Konkol takes over for Michael White, who won three straight league titles. Konkol, who has been an assistant at Miami for the last four seasons, says he’s heard nothing but great things about the Bulldog basketball program…

cut 16 (19) “to me”

Last year, Tech won 27 games and they were second in Conference USA in scoring.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that he doesn’t want the Tigers playing Texas A-and-M on Thanskgiving this year. It was played on Turkey day last year, but this year the game will be in Baton Rouge and Alleva says LSU will not play in Tiger Stadium on a Thursday as long as he’s with the school. The game could be played either on Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

The start time for LSU Softball’s NCAA Super Regional game against Arizona Saturday at Tiger Park has been changed. Game one of the best of three series will now begin at 2PM. The change was made to lessen traffic issues for this weekend’s Bayou Country Superfest in Tiger Stadium. Sunday’s schedule for games is unchanged with game two starting at 4PM and game three, if necessary, beginning at 7PM.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a regular season league championship. LSU’s Alex Lange has been named Freshman of the Year after finishing second in the SEC with an ERA of 2.11.

Southeastern Louisiana sophomore outfielder Jacob Seward has been named Southland Conference player of the year. The Brother Martin grad is hitting .365 with 47 runs scored and 35 runs driven in.

It is reported that the Pelicans have received permission to interview Golden State assistant coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching vacancy. Gentry’s name has popped up as one of the leading candidates for the position, along with Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. It’s unclear when an interview with Gentry would take place as the Warriors begin the Western Conference finals tonight.

Louisiana Tech named former Miami Hurricane assistant Eric Konkol as its new head men’s basketball coach today. Konkol replaces Michael White, who led the Bulldogs to three straight league titles. The Wisconsin native says he wants to build on that success…
cut 30 (23) “….what we are here to do”
Konkol has served as a long-time assistant to Jim Larranaga at George Mason and Miami.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that he doesn’t want the Tigers playing Texas A-and-M on Thanskgiving this year. It was played on Turkey day last year, but the game this season will be in Baton Rouge either on Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

There’s a belief that Saints third-round draft pick Garrett Grayson could be the heir apparent to Drew Brees. Grayson says he’s looking forward to learning from Brees…
cut 18 (20) “….a beat”
Grayson also says playing in a pro-style offense in college should help his transition into the NFL.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a regular season league championship. LSU’s Alex Lange has been named Freshman of the Year after finishing second in the SEC with an ERA of 2.11.

And Southeastern Louisiana sophomore outfielder Jacob Seward has been named Southland Conference player of the year. The Brother Martin grad is hitting .365 with 47 runs scored and 35 runs driven in.

Eric Konkol was named as the new head coach of the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball program today. Konkol comes to Ruston after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Miami, before that he was an assistant at George Mason for seven seasons. Konkol helped Miami win 25 games last season.

At Saints rookie minimp, Coach Sean Payton said he was impressed with third round pick and quarterback Garrett Grayson. Grayson says running a pro style offense at Colorado State should help him learn the Saints playbook…
cut 17 (15) “….for me”
Grayson says he has no problem with learning from Drew Brees, while watching from the sidelines, until Brees decides to retire.

UL Lafayette and LSU have reached the super regionals of the NCAA Softball Tournament. LSU beat Arizona State twice yesterday to advance. They won the first game five to nothing and then won the second game four to three in nine innings. The Cajuns are headed to the Super Regionals after a nine to one win over Baylor.