It was a rough night for Anthony Davis, but despite that, the New Orleans Pelicans put on a good showing in the game against Houston — but the Rockets rallied to pick up a 100-95 victory. James Harden had 39 points and 11 rebounds for Houston. The Pels host the Jazz Saturday.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has reached a new plea deal in his federal drug and rape case. The agreement comes two weeks after U.S. District Judge Triche Milazzo rejected a prior plea deal. Sharper’s sentencing was set for Thursday but will take place June 16. A hearing for the new plea agreement will be March 17.

In college baseball, LSU picked up an early lead last night to get the win over Nicholls 9-4. Southeastern beat Tulane 13-4. McNeese State trumped UL-Lafayette 7-2. Louisiana Tech barely got by Arkansas, 3-2. Grambling piked up the victory over Alcorn State, 12-3. ULM fell to Valparaiso 9-6.

The ULM basketball team goes for its eighth straight win tonight as the Warhawks host Georgia Southern at Seven PM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM’s winning streak is the fifth longest in the nation and Coach Keith Richard talks about what has gone right…:
Cut 16 (19) “responded“
ULM has two more regular season games left and then they’ll compete in the Sun Belt Tournament as the number two seed.

Tulane fell to UCF last night 73-65 on the road. Today Louisiana Tech is at Marshall, Northwestern State hosts Steven F Austin. Nicholls travels to face Central Arkansas. UL-Lafayette hosts Georgia State, Grambling is at Alabama A&M. Southeastern is at UNO.

The LSU women’s basketball team advanced in the SEC tournament Wednesday. The Lady Tigers got by 12th seeded Alabama 58-49 and will play No. 5 seed Kentucky in the second round today.

The ULM football team has added Scott Stoker to the Warhawk staff. Coach Matt Viator said Stoker will be the program’s linebackers coach. Stoker comes to Monroe from UTEP where he served as defensive coordinator.

Fox Sports NFL reporter Alex Marvez reported earlier today that the Saints may stay in New Orleans for training camp, instead of holding practices in white Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. But hours after Marvez’s report, Pro Football Talk said the Saints ARE still moving forward with plans to go back to the Greenbrier. Nothing officials has been announced by the team.

The Baltimore Ravens have extended the contract of quarterback Joe Flacco. The three year agreement is worth $66.4 million dollars according to ESPN. Patriots QB Tom Brady reached an agreement earlier this week — leaving the question open. These numbers could be a starting point for Saints Quarterback Drew Brees’ contract extension which is expected to take place at some point this off season.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis says whether or not he’ll play tonight against the Rockets will be a game time decision. Davis has a sprained toe.

Tonight in Thibodaux, the sixth ranked LSU baseball team visits Nicholls State. The Tigers will have a new starting shortsop on the field. Kramer Robertson will be LSU’s third different starting shortstop this year and heard some encouraging words from the former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman…:
CUT 30 (12) “good advice”
Robertson moves from second to short, while Cole Freeman moves over to second after starting at short. First pitch is at 6pm.

ULM continues a two game series tonight in Monroe against Valparariso Val-pa-rai-so. The Warhaws one the first contest last night 12-9.

Bad news for the UL Lafayette baseball team. Cleanup hitter and senior outfielder Kyle Clement will reportedly miss a month after breaking a bone in his right forearm last night. He was hit by a pitch in the Cajuns seven to four win over over UNO. The Cajuns will travel to Lake Charles to face McNeese State tonight.

Fox Sports senior NFL reporter Alex Marvez is reporting the Saints are considering holding its training camp in New Orleans, instead of West Virginia. The team has held camp at the Greenbrier the last two seasons, but have back-to-back 7-and-9 finishes to show for it.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team is at Nicholls State tonight. After losing a couple of games last week, Coach Paul Mainieri is moving second baseman Kramer Robertson to shortstop and shortstop Cole Freeman to second base….
cut 30 (03) “…several days”
Robertson has been LSU’s best defensive infielder.

Bad news for the UL Lafayette baseball team. Cleanup hitter and senior outfielder Kyle Clement will reportedly miss a month after breaking a bone in his right forearm last night. He was hit by a pitch in the Cajuns seven to four win over over UNO.

LSU won last night to keep its slim NCAA Tournament at-large berth chances alive. The Tigers defeated Missouri 80-71 as freshman Ben Simmons scored 22points. Simmons and the Tigers final regular season game is Saturday against Kentucky.

This afternoon, Louisiana Tech visits 12th ranked Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated nationally ranked UL Lafayette last week.

The Sun Belt Conference has made the decision to move on without Idaho and New Mexico State. Those two football only schools will only compete in the Sun Belt for two more seasons. So starting in 2018, the Sun Belt will have 10 schools, with the addition of Coastal Carolina. Commissioner Karl Benson says one of the big questions facing the league is whether they’ll play an eight game conference schedule or nine…
cut 17 (17) “….2017″
Benson says it also remains to be seen if the Sun Belt will split into two divisions.

In what was most likely his final home regular season game, LSU freshman Ben Simmons scored 22 points in an 80-71 victory over the Missouri Tigers. Simmons also had 14 rebounds and seven assists. It was his 21st double-double of the season. Simmons is expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft.

In college baseball…16th ranked UL Lafayette scored four runs in the seventh inning and rallied past UNO 7-4. Joe Robbins hit his third home run and drove in two runs.

ULM came back from a six-to-nothing deficit in the 2nd inning and beat Valparaiso 18-9 in its home opener. Nathan Pugh drove in a three runs.

Tonight, the 6th ranked LSU Tigers visit Nicholls State, who is 4-5 on the season. Coach Paul Mainieri is shuffing his infield. Kramer Robertson moves from second to short, while Cole Freeman moves over to second after starting at short. And Louisiana Tech is at 12th ranked Arkansas for a 3:05 first pitch.

The Sun Belt Conference is removing New Mexico State and Idaho from its league. The two football-only members will leave the conference following the 2017 season. With the addition of Coastal Carolina, the Sun Belt will be a 10-member league in 2018. Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson likes the idea of a 10-team league and will discuss with coaches and ADs about adding a conference championship game….
cut 16 (21) “….nine conference games”

In other Sun Belt news…former Northwestern State Head Coach Scott Stoker is the new linebackers coach at ULM. And a racial discrimination trail between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and their former head football coach Jerry Baldwin begins today. Baldwin, an african-american, was 6-27 when fired in 2001.

Tonight at the Maravich Center it’s the final regular season home game for the LSU Tigers as they host Missouri. The Bayou Bengals enter this contest with a record of 17-12, 10-6 in the Southeastern Conference, one game back of Kentucky and Texas A-and-M, who occupy first place in the league standings. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The Girls Top 28 State Tournament is underway in Hammond. Tonight it’s the Class Five-A semifinals as Natchitoches Central faces Mount Carmel and Denham Springs battles Mandeville.

The Sun Belt Conference announced today that football member schools New Mexico State and Idaho are leaving the league following the 2017 season. Which means the Sun Belt will be a 10-team league in 2018 as Coastal Carolina is still set to join the conference. Commissioner Karl Benson says geography and the fact that New Mexico State and Idaho haven’t won many football games, went into the decision by the league presidents to remove those two schools.

Saints Owner Tom Benson released a statement today regarding the release of wide receiver Marques Colston. Benson said there have been very few players in our franchise’s history that have represented this team with the class, dignity and performance of Marques Colston. After 10 seasons, Colston leaves New Orleans as the team’s all-time leading receiver. He also holds the franchise’s mark for most receiving yards and touchdowns.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Colston will be tough to replace, but he advises against the Saints using an early draft pick to find his replacement…
cut 18 (13) “….than receiver”

It’s a light schedule of college baseball games tonight. UNO is at UL Lafayette and ULM hosts Valparaiso.

LSU is at Nicholls State tomorrow. Coach Paul Mainieri has named Kramer Robertson as his new starting shortstop.

If you go to Marques Colston’s website, the Colston Project, you can find a thank you to the Saints franchise and fans for his 10 years in New Orleans. The team’s all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns was released after a sensational career in the Crescent City. Colston says in his thank you that it’s been an honor to wear the Black and GolD and he looks forward to the next chapter of his career. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Colston goes down as the Saints best receiver in the franchise’s history…
cut 17 (09) “…short yardage in the field”
Detillier says Colston will be tough to replace, but believes the Saints should use its first couple of draft picks to fix the defense.

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry says they expect Anthony Davis will play tomorrow night when New Orleans visits Houston. A-D missed Saturday’s loss to Minnesota because of a sprained right toe.

It’s the final regular season home game for the LSU men’s basketball team as they take on the Missouri Tigers. Before the contest, seniors Keith Hornsby, Josh Gray and Henry Shortess will be recognized. Hornsby will miss his third straight game with a sports hernia. Even without Hornsby, the Tigers should win. Missouri is just 10-19 on the season, 3-13 in the SEC. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Last night in college hoops…Nicholls State kept its hopes alive to reach the Southland Conference Tournament as they defeated UNO 80-76. McNeese State won its first road game of the year as the Cowboys defeated Lamar 77-74. Southeastern Louisiana edged Northwestern State 84-82. Jordan Capps had 29 points and 19 rebounds as the Lions won their 7th straight home game. And in the SWAC…Mississippi Valley edged Southern 58-57.

The Girls Top 28 tournament gets underway in Hammond today.

The Saints have released Marques Colston — their all time leading receiver. Colston was a consistent performer for the Black and Gold during his 10 seasons in New Orleans, catching 72 touchdown passes and posting over 97-hundred receiving yards. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it will be difficult for the Saints to replace his production…:
Cut 16 (14) “wide receiver position“
The Saints will save $3.2 million dollars in cap space by releasing Colston.

LSU President F. King Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk due to the state’s budget situation. He says unless enough revenue is raised, they may have to close summer school meaning some players wouldn’t be able to earn needed credits…:
CUT 1 (09) “eligible”

The LSU Baseball team is ranked No. 7 in this week’s Baseball America Top 25. UL-Lafayette dropped to NO. 16 after a 1-3 week.

The LSU men’s basketball team’s chances of making it to the NCAA tournament are slim as they head in to tonight’s second-to-last SEC regular season game against Missouri at the PMAC. Senior Keith Hornsby said Monday that his sports hernia injury is improving, but he won’t be able to play tonight. Meanwhile the US Basketball Writers Association announced Monday and LSU freshman Ben Simmons is a finalist for national player of the year and the best freshman in the country. Also of note, tonight’s game will be the final call for retiring play-by-play man Jim Hawthorne at the PMAC. The first 1500 fans in will get a Hawthorne bobble head.

Elsewhere in college hoops, Southeastern Louisiana couldn’t get by Northwestern State in Hammond picking up the 84-82 win.

Nicholls State held on to beat New Orleans 80-76 last night in Thibodaux. Grambling was edged by Mississippi Valley State at home, 58-57.

On the road, McNeese State got the win over Lamar. 77-44. The Cowboys have won back-to-back games following a four game skid.

The Saints made it official today by releasing their all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, Marques Colston. The man nicknamed as “Quiet Storm” had his contract terminated with the designation “failed physical.” Colston has been a steady performer for the Black and Gold the last decade, as he caught over seven-hundred passes for 97-hundred yards and 72 touchdowns. But was never named to a Pro Bowl team.

In other Saints news….ESPN is reproting free-agent linebacker James Laurinatis will meet wtih the Black and Gold tomorrow.

LSU President F. King Alexander stands by his comments that Fighting Tigers football is at risk, unless the state comes up with the necessary funding to prevent huge budget cuts….
cut 24 (08) “…eligible”
Alexander says the talk of budget cuts is impacting recruiting.

The LSU baseball Tigers remain ranked in the top ten in the major college baseball polls, despite losing two games last week. The Bayou Bengals won easily yesterday as they defeated Sacramento State 11 to 1. The winning pitcher was John Valek, who allowed one run in seven inngs and struck out six. Coach Paul Mainieri says Valek was the story of the game, by throwing strikes and keeping Sac State’s hitters off balance…
cut 18 (20) “…the game”
The Tigers return to action on Wednesday when they visit Nicholls State.

UL Lafayette lost three games last week and they fell nine spots in the Perfect Game poll to 17. Baseball America has the Cajuns ranked 16th.

It should be a good weekend for college baseball across the state. After blowing an eight run lead and losing to Lamar on Wednesday, the LSU Tigers return to action to host Sacramento State tonight. Last weekend the Hornets took two of three from Auburn and beat Northwestern State in a midweek matchup. Jared Poche starts on the hill for LSU tonight, while Sac State counters with Sam Long, who is described as a hard-throwing left-hander. First pitch is at 7 PM.

Also this weekend, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Troy. Kyle Cedotal who struck out 14 hitters last week, will get the start tonight for the Lions. Louisiana Tech hosts UT Arlington. The Bulldogs are coming off a big win over sixth ranked UL Lafayette.

The Ragin Cajuns are in Houston, where they’ll play TCU, Texas Tech and Rice over the next three days at Minute Maid Park.

And Northwestern State begins a three-game series tonight against Southern Miss.

At today’s NFL combine, Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon ran a 4.58 in the 40. Dixon is considered one of the top five running backs in the draft. The draft will take place from April 28th to the 30th.

Ben Simmons and the LSU Tigers look to snap their three-game losing streak tomorrow night against the Florida Gators….
cut 30 (11) “…communication really”
Before the game there will be a ceremony to unveil a new statue of LSU legendary basketball player Bob Petit. The statue will stand in front of the basketball practice facility.

Other games of note on Saturday…the Ragin Cajuns are at South Alabama. ULM, who has won six in a row, visits 9-and-19 Troy. Southern faces Alcorn State and Louisiana Tech looks for its fifth straight victory as they host Rice.

The Pelicans take on Minnesota at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night.

The New Orleans Saints appear to be closing in a contract extension for both Sean Payton and Quarterback Drew Brees. On Pro Football Talk Thursday, Payton says he’s finalizing a new deal with the Black and Gold, and also on the NFL NEtwork that he anticipates a Brees extension will be no problem.

Great game last night in New Orleans as the Pelicans post a nice win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony Davis scored 30 points in the 123-119 victory, while Ryan Anderson added 26. Jrue Holiday put up 22. The Pels host the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night in the Smoothie King Center.

In college hoops, ULM is now on a six game winning streak after picking up a nice 66-59 victory Thursday night over South Alabama. The Warhawks will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Troy for a 4:15 p.m. Louisiana Tech needed overtime to pick up the 73-62 win over North Texas. The Bulldogs move into a third-place tie with Middle Tennessee in C-USA.

More hoops, the Ragin’ Cajuns rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to claim a 73-63 win over Troy in a Sun Belt Conference game. The Cajuns will return to action on Saturday against South Alabama.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament at Zephyr Field in Metairie from 2017 to 2021. Several other cities are also bidding, including Nashville. But GNOSF President Jay Cicero says we have the biggest college baseball fan base of any area in the nation within driving distance, plus other assets….:
cut 4 (06) “time high”

College baseball today: LSU hosts Sacramento State, Northwestern State is at Southern Miss, Troy is at Southeastern, Louisiana Tech hosts UT Arlington, UL-Lafayette plays TCU, Tulane & Arizona, Pittsburgh, Southern @ Auburn, Nicholls State at UMASS Lowell.