Saints Owner Tom Benson says former defensive end Will Smith was an inspiration to many. Smith was killed in what police are calling a road rage shooting that occurred Saturday night in New Orleans. The Big Easy is unfortunately familiar with this type of violence. Current Saints offensive tackle Zach Streif says this shooting gives the city a black eye…
cut 18 (16) “…it really does”
Saints Coach Sean Payton made some strong comments to USA Today about the violence in New Orleans. He says the city is broken and its madness people argue that everybody needs a gun.

In other Black and Gold news…the NFL Network reports that Cal quarterback Jared Goff is expected to visit the Saints this week. He’s expected to be a first round pick.

In the latest D-1 Baseball poll, LSU has moved up four spots to number eleven after taking two of three from fifth ranked Vanderbilt. Tulane has also moved into the Top 25. The Green Wave are ranked 22nd after taking two of three from East Carolina. In Baseball America’s rankings, LSU is up to number nine, while the Green Wave are ranked 24th.

UL Lafayette’s Evan Guillory has been named Sun Belt pitcher of the week. Guillory tossed a complete game one-hit shutout last week in a win over Northwestern.

Louisiana Tech second baseman Jordan Washam has been named Conference USA Hitter of the Week. Washam was 11-of-16 at the plate as Tech went 3-and-1 last week. The Bulldogs are 18-and-10 on the year.

Nicholls sophomore catcher Kyle Knauth has been named the Southland Hitter of the Week. Knauth had 13 hits last week and drove in six runs. He’s reached base in 18 consecutive games.

In the NBA, the Pelicans final home game of the season is tonight as they’ll host the Chicago Bulls.

The Saints and their fans are mourning the death of former defensive end Will Smith. Smith and another man exchanged words after a fender bender involving their vehicles in New Orleans on Saturday night. Police say the other man pulled out a gun and fatally shot Smith. Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief played with Smith and says he’s been dealing with a lot of different emotions…
cut 16 (14) “…how could this happen”
New Orleans Police have yet to establish a motive for the murder. Twenty-eight-year-old Cardell Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder and his attorney John Fuller says Hayes was not the aggressor during the altercation and believes toxicology reports on all of the individuals involved could shed light on the behavior of some of the participants.

Former LSU golfer Smylie Kaufman finished tied for 29th at the Masters after he shot a nine over-par 81 on Sunday. Kaufman teed off in the last group on Sunday with Justin Spieth, but Spieth ran into trouble on the par-3 12th hole, where he quadruple bogeyed and finished in second behind the winner Danny Willett.

In college football news…the NCAA has banned the creation of any new bowl games for at least the next three years. There are currently 40 bowl games and last season, three 5-and-7 teams received bowl bids because there wiere not enough eligible teams to fill all 80 slots.

The LHSAA has told high schools no more walk-up music for hitters at baseball and softball games. It’s because there were complaints about “explicit content” that were in some of the songs.

It’s the final home game of the season tonight for the Pelicans, who host the Chicago Bulls. Neither team is heading to the playoffs.

Police in New Orleans continue to investigate the fatal shooting incident which claimed the life of Will Smith, a much-loved former player with the Saints. Investigators believe 28-year-old Cardell Hayes killed Smith in an apparent road rage incident. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says Hayes is charged with second-degree murder…:
cut 12 (10) “as such”
Hayes’ bond is set at $1 million dollars.

Support has been pouring in from the Saints and their fans as they mourn this tragic incident. On WWL radio, Offensive tackle Zach Strief, who played with Smith, hopes the killing leads to a change within New Orleans…:
Cut 17 (09) “is it take”

Meanwhile WWL is also reporting that former Saints player and current color analyst Hokie Gajan, who is battling cancer, is in intensive care.

In college baseball, NO. 14 LSU dropped the SEC series finale to second-ranked Vanderbilt 7-6, Saturday. The Tigers won the first two and has won its last two conference series and five of its past six games.

26th ranked UL-Lafayette picked up a 13-9 win over Georgia Southern to clinch the series on Sunday. Southeastern Louisiana falls to Northwestern State 3-2.

Louisiana Tech defeated WKU 3-1 and picked up the series over the Hilltoppers. McNeese State completed a Southland sweep over UNO following a 13-3 victory Sunday. Nicholls State got an 8-3 victory over Incarnate Word and take the series. ULM fell to UT-Arlington 8-4 on Sunday, to end its shot for the sweep. Grambling beat Southern 16-11 in SWAC action as the Tigers swept the Jags.

Former LSU golf star Smylie Kaufman wrapped up his debut appearance at the Masters by tying for 29th place on the final leaderboard at 7 over par. Englishman Danny Willett got the green jacket after defending champ Jordan Spieth crashed and burned.

Head coach Paul Mainieri earned his 1,300th career win as sophomore right-hander Alex Lange limited second-ranked Vanderbilt to two runs in 6.1 innings pitched, and No. 14 LSU claimed the series over Vanderbilt with a 3-2 win Friday night in Alex Box Stadium. Game three is today at 2.

The 26th-ranked Ragin’ Cajuns exploded for four runs in the tenth inning to defeat Georgia Southern 6-2 in extra innings on Friday night to take the opening game of the series.

Nicholls State University picked up an 8-4 victory over Incarnate Word. McNeese State got past New Orleans 6-1 to pick up the league series opener in the Big Easy. ULM defeated UT Arlington 8-3 on the road. Louisiana Tech dropped their series opener against WKU 6-3 last night. Southern was defeated by Grambling, 11-7.

Southeastern Louisiana, which held a one-run lead for six innings, scored an unearned run in the ninth for a 2-1, Southland Conference win over Northwestern State.

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program lost its head coach Tyler Sumitt who admitted he had an affair, and reports say it was with a player. Jeff Palermo has more on the reaction in north Louisiana…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland spoke with the media on Friday, and said there is a lot of interest in the job. He said even after this news broke many people have reached out.

Alexis Ajinca and the Pelicans dominated Los Angeles in a 110-102 victory Friday night in retiring Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s final game in New Orleans.

The resignation of Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Tyler Summitt is grabbing lots of national media attention. Summitt has admitted he engaged in a relationship that was hurtful. SB Nation reports Summitt got one of his players pregnant. Gene Ponti is the sports director of K-T-V-E-TV in Monroe and he says this scandal is a black eye for the Lady Techster program and women’s basketball as a whole…
cut 10 (10) “…are in a hole”
Summitt is 25-years-old and was the head coach for the Lady Techsters the last two seasons.

Tonight at 7:30 it’s LSU versus Vanderbilt. Tigers won game one of the series last night 13-4. Alex Lange is on the hill for LSU. He’s coming off a rough straight against Auburn.

There are reports the Saints have re-signed running back Tim Hightower. After spending four seasons out of the NFL after tearing his ACL in 2011. Hightower appeared in eight games with the Black and Gold last year and rushed for 375 yards and had four touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 129 yards.

Atlanta cornerback Jalen Collins has been suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Collins was a second-round pick out of LSU in 2015 and appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season.

In college football, the NCAA approves a rule that bans FBS programs from hosting satellite camps. The SEC pushed for this rule after Big 10 schools started holding football camps in the south.

Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryantplays in his final game in New Orleans tonight as Lakers visit the Pelicans. There’s just four games left in Kobe’s career.

LSU scored 7 times in the 3rd inning and went on to beat Vanderbilt 13-4 Thursday. Kramer Robertson and Beau Jordan each drove in two runs in that inning. The Tigers led 13-0, before Vanderbilt scored 4 runs in the 9th inning. Jared Poche was outstanding on the mound for the Tigers, as the junior left-hander pitched seven shutout innings, scattering four hits and striking out eight. LSU will go after its fifth straight win on tonight as they host the Commodores at 7:30.

Also today on the diamond, UL-Lafayette will play its first ever series against Georgia Southern. Southeastern, who have won 17 of their last 18, take on in-state foe Northwestern State. Louisiana Tech is set to face off against WKU in a three game Conference USA series. Tulane hosts East Carolina. Nicholls State is at Incarnate Word. UL-Monroe is at UT Arlington. Southern hosts rival Grambling.

Scandal has hit the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’ll be tough to find a ticket to the Pelicans game tonight, as New Orleans takes on the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the four of NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s final games before he heads to retirement. Tipoff in the Smoothie King Center is 7pm.

NFL preseason schedules are out, and the Saints will hit the road to play the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, for the team’s first preseason game. Then they’ll face Houston at NRG Stadium.

Breaking news out of Ruston, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Tyler Summit has resigned. There’s been speculation about inappriopriate behavior involving Summit and in his statement, the married 25 year-old says he is profoundingly disappointed in himself for engaging in a relationship that hurt the people he loves and respects the most. Summitt, the son of Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summit, just completed his second season as the Lady Techsters head coach.

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against third ranked Vanderbilt tonight. The Commodores pitchers have struck out 319 batters, second most in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri wants his hitters to embrace the opportunity to face some great pitchers…
cut 18 (10) “….country”
First pitch tonight is at 6:00.

The Saints released their preseason schedule. They will play the first two games on the road, first at New England and then they’ll face Houston at NRG Stadium. The final two preseason games will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, first against the Pittsburgh Steelers and then the Baltimore Ravens.

A bill has been filed that would restrict college athletic teams in the state, excluding LSU, from traveling more than 375 miles to play games. The proposed law also does not apply to football, basketball or postseason. ULM Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom says he understands that Louisiana is facing budget problems, but college sports are important to students…:
Cut 30 (10) “young people”
Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, says state dollars are scarce and public dollars shouldn’t be used on long road trips for non-revenue generating sports.

LSU begins a three-game series against third ranked Vanderbilt tonight at Alex Box Stadium. The Commodores are 6-3 in the SEC, 24-5 overall. They have the second best team ERA in the league and they’ve scored the most runs out of any team in the Southeastern Conference. Coach Paul Mainieri says the Commodores have only hit 20 home runs, so they find other ways to score…
cut 17 (18) “….including us”
Vandy also leads the SEC in steals. First pitch tonight is at 6 PM.

Last night, Louisiana Tech upended Little Rock seven to four. Lamar outscored Nicholls 14-10 and South Alabama routed UNO 12-3.

UL Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana have announced they will play each other in football to begin the 2017 season. The game will take place on September 2nd at Cajun Field. It will be the first meeting on the football field for the two teams since 1981.

A bill has been filed in the legislative session that would restrict college athletic teams from traveling more than 375 miles to play in games, with the exception of all LSU sports, and football, basketball teams plus postseason play. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says Louisiana’s budget is in bad shape, and legislators have to figure out a way to cut back on spending…:
Cut 14 (05) “some dollars”
School leaders do not like this bill saying the it would hurt the student-athletes.

The Pelicans lost to the Celtics 104-97 last night. The Kobe Bryant farewell tour arrives in New Orleans tomorrow as the Pels host the Lakers in the Smoothie King Center.

The 15th ranked LSU baseball team welcomes second ranked Vanderbilt into Alex Box Stadium tonight kicking off a three game series. Coach Paul Mainieri will start Jared Poche over Alex Lange on the mound tonight. Both pitchers last threw on Saturday, but Mainieri says Poche is more equipped to pitch again on shorter rest…:
Cut 16 (16) “last Friday”
First pitch tonight is 6pm.

Louisiana Tech held off a late-inning rally by Little Rock to defeat the Trojans, 7-4, Wednesday night on the road. Nicholls State blew a 9 run lead last night and fell to Lamar, 14-10. UNO fell behind by nine runs after the second inning and couldn’t come back in a 12-3 loss to South Alabama.

A bill is on the table this session that would restrict college athletic teams in the state, excluding LSU, from traveling more 375 miles to play in games. The proposed law also does not apply to football or basketball programs or postseason action. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter, says state dollars are scarce and public dollars shouldn’t be used on long road trips for baseball, softball and volleyball teams…:
Cut 13 (09) “great distances”
But school athletic leaders say college sports is important to students and this would further hurt recruiting.

The short-handed New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Boston Celtics last night, 104-97. Only 8 players were active for the Pels.

In MLB action, former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola struck out eight and walked none helping to keep the Phillies alive, but they ended up losing the game to the Reds 3-2.

The LSU baseball team had an easy 11-1 victory over Southern last night. Beau Jordan, Michael Papierski and Cole Freeman each drove in two runs. The biggest hightlight came before the game as injured Southern football player Devon Gales threw out the first pitch while sitting in his wheelchair.

In other action…ULM thumped Jackson State 10-7. The Ragin Cajuns blanked Northwestern State four to nothing. Sophomore right-hander Evan Guillory threw a one-hit complete game shutout. Lamar defeated Nicholls seven to two, McNeese knocked off 24th ranked Houston four to one. Austin Sanders threw seven strong innings to get the win.

And Southeastern has swept its season series over Tulane by beating the Green Wave seven to six last night. The Lions have won 17 of their last 18.

In action tonight….Louisiana Tech is at Little Rock. ULM visits TCU.

LSU speedster Donte Jackson has reportedly been ruled academically ineligible for spring football and the outdoor track season. Jackson is battling to be a starting cornerback and he was expected to run the 100-meter dash and be part of a four-by-100 relay team for the Tigers track team.