It was an exciting night to start the college baseball season. The LSU
Tigers came back on two occasions late in the game to beat Cincinnati
6-5 in 12 innings. Baton Rouge native Jordan Romero had the game winning
hit in his first game in an LSU uniform. Chris Blair had the call on the
LSU Sports Radio Network….
CUT 1 “….Tigers win”
Romero also tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a single.

The Ragin Cajuns celebrated a walk-off win in Lafayette. Former Minden
star Derek Herrington scored the winning run as he crossed the plate on
a wild pitch to give UL Lafayette a 2-1 win over Sam Houston State in 10
innings.

Northwestern State won in 11 innings over Alabama State 1-0. And
Southeastern Louisiana blanked ULM 2-0.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If the Pelicans want to get in the playoffs, they need to win games like
last night and they were able to get the victory as they beat the worst
team in the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers, 121-114. Three players scored
over 20 points led by Anthony Davis, who had 34. Ryan Anderson had 26
and Jrue Holiday added 24 points and dished out 12 assists. New Orleans
is at Detroit on Sunday.

After a home loss to Alabama, The LSU Tigers need to beat Tennessee
today at 4:30 to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The Tigers RPI is
82 and teams with an RPI over 80 usually don’t get an invite to the Big
Dance, unless they win their conference tournament.

Also today…the Ragin Cajuns look to snap a two-game losing streak as
they visit Texas State. ULM is at Texas-Arlington. Both teams have won
four straight.Louisiana Tech travels to UTEP. In the SWAC Southern
visits Alabama State.

The college baseball season gets underway today. Jared Poche gets the start on the mound for the Tigers at Alex Box Stadium as they host Cincinnati. It’s also the debut of Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network. He’s taking over as the voice of the Tigers and he’s eager to call his first game at the Box….
cut 30 (09) “….wrong with you”
First pitch is at 7 PM.

Over at the Tigue, sixth ranked UL Lafayete will host Sam Houston State. The Bearkcats head coach is Matt Deggs, who is a former assistant at UL Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux says Coach Deggs and the Bearkats will provide good compeition to start the season…
cut 19 (08) “…which is good”
Another interesting series to watch is the one in Hammond as Southeastern Louisiana hosts ULM.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star break tonight as they host the Philadelphia 76ers. This is an excellent opportunity for New Orleans to get a win. The 76ers are an NBA worst 8-45. With about 30 games left, the Pels are six games back of Houston for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said on a Baton Rouge radio station this morning that the Tigers chances of getting an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament are not good. Alleva has been on the NCAA Tournament selection committee for the last five years and he says a team with an RPI over 80 has never received an invite into the tournament. LSU’s RPI is 82.

The 16-10 Tigers are at Tennessee tomorrow. In other games of note…the Ragin Cajuns will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they visit Texas State. ULM is at Texas-Arlington. Both teams have won four straight.Louisiana Tech travels to UTEP. In the SWAC Southern visits Alabama State.

It’s opening day of college baseball and several new faces will be on the field for the LSU Tigers. Starting at first base its Greg Deichman. The sophomore from Metairie is expected to carry on LSU’s winning tradition…
cut 17 (14) “….winning tradition”
LSU will host Cincinnati in the first game of the 2016 season. Jared Poche, who won nine games last season, will start for the Tigers.

In other action around the state….Louisiana Tech faces Prairie View in New Orleans. Southern also plays Grambling in New Orleans. ULM is at Southeastern Louisiana. The Ragin Cajuns host Sam Houston State. McNeese State hosts Southern Illinois and Northwestern State takes on Alabama State.

In the NBA…after trading for him yesterday, the Pelicans released Jarnell Stokes today. The Pelicans have also signed guard Bryce Dejean-Jones, who has played in 11 games this season for the Pels and averaged six points and nearly four rebounds a game. New Orleans returns from the All-Star Break tonight as they host the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last night in college basketball…Louisiana Tech defeated Texas San Antonio 87-74. That’s the third straight win for the Bulldogs. Alex Hamilton led the way with 25 points.

ULM won easily over Texas State 76-57. Justin Roberson poured in 21 points and Majok Deng add 16 points for the 14-and-12 Warhawks.

Tough loss for the Ragin Cajuns as they fell to Texas-Arlington in overtime 84-83.

Tomorrow…LSU is at Tennessee. Coach Johnny Jones says Ben Simmons is playing with an injured finger, which may have led to his 10-for-19 free throw performance in the loss to Alabama.

It’s opening day for college baseball as the 7th ranked LSU Tigers host the Cincinnati Bearkats tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Last year, the Tigers reached the College World Series, but the team that will take the field tonight will look different. LSU will have eight new starters in its batting order and Coach Paul Mainieri is expecting some opening night nerves…:
Cut 16 (17) “highest level“

Expectations are also high in Lafayette, where the sixth ranked Ragin Cajuns begin the season tonight by hosting Sam Houston State at Tigue Moore Field. Over three-thousand season tickets have been sold and Coach Tony Robichaux says the players are just as anxious as the fans…:
Cut 18 (10) “have an opponent”

More on the college baseball schedule, Louisiana Tech plays Prairie View in New Orleans this afternoon. Nicholls State hosts Mississippi Valley State. Southern takes on Grambling. ULM is at Southeastern. McNeese State hosts Southern Illinois. Northwestern State hosts Alabama State. Tulane hosts Illinois.

When the LSU baseball tigers take Skip Bertman Field tonight, it’ll be the first call at the Box for the new Voice of the Tigers, Chris Blair. Blair is taking the spot of Jim Hawthorne who retires after the end of men’s basketball season.

College hoops, UL-Lafayette was edged by Texas-Arlington 84-83 in overtime Sun Belt Action. The Ragin Cajuns fell to 10-5 in league play. They’ll play Texas State tomorrow on the road. ULM had an easy time with the Bobcats last night coming away with a 76-57 win — the fourth straight for the Warhawks who play UT Arlington tomorrow. Louisiana Tech got their 20th win on the season after beating Texas San Antonio 87-74. The Bulldogs travel to take on UTEP tomorrow.

Also Saturday LSU travels to face Tennessee after coming off a tough loss to Alabama this week.

The NBA trade deadline hit and the Pelicans are keeping Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon. New Orleans hosts the 76ers tonight.

According to a poll of the SEC baseball coaches, the LSU Tigers are projected to finish in second place in the SEC West, behind Texas A-and-M. Starting pitcher Alex Lange is a preseason 1st team all-sec selection. The Tigers open the season tomorrow night against Cincinnati. LSU Coach Paul Mainieri said today that shortstop Trey Dawson may not play in the season opener because of pink eye.

Sixth ranked UL Lafayette is at home to take on Sam Houston State. The defending champs in the Southland Conference, Southeastern Louisiana, will host ULM for three games in Hammond.

The NBA trade deadline came and went and the Pelicans did NOT trade Ryan Anderson, even though there was a lot of interest in the veterans. The Pels did make one move by acquiring power forward Jarnell Stokes from the Miami Heat for a future second round pick. Stokes has played in 26 career NBA games after a three-year career at Tennessee.

After serving as an LSU grad student in 2004, former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig is back in Baton Rouge this time as the wide receivers coach for the Tigers. Craig joins LSU after serving as Auburn’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach…
cut 19 (18) “,…that sells”

In college hoops tonight….UL Lafayette, ULM and Louisiana Tech are all playing in Texas. Tthe Ragin Cajuns are at UT Arlington for the start of a four-game road trip. UL Lafayette is 10-4 in the Sun Belt and in second place. ULM also begins a four-game road trip as they are at Texas State. And Louisiana Tech visits Texas San Antonio.

Tough second half for the LSU men’s basketball team as they lost their first home game in SEC play last night. The Tigers shot 32-percent in the second half against the Crimson Tide and lost to Alabama 76 to 69. LSU was outscored 45-33 in the final 20 minutes. Free throw shooting was a problem as they missed 15 of them and Alabama’s Retin Obasohan had a career-high 35 points.

Former Edna Karr Head Football Coach Jabbar Juluke is more than pumped to have an opportunity to ach at LSU….
cut 18 (10) “….be here”
Juluke, who will coach running backs at LSU, was introduced to the media along with new wide recivers coach Dameyune Craig. Coach Les Miles added they are still working on a new contract for offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

A federal judge has rejected the plea deal in the drug and rape case against former NFL star and ex Saints safety Darren Sharper. US District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo says the possible nine-year sentence doesn’t fit the seriousness of the alleged accusations against Sharper. Sharper now has to decide whether to withdraw his guilty plea before his scheduled sentencing hearing next month.

In college basketball…the Ragin Cajuns begin a four-game road trip tonight at UT Arlington. UL Lafayette is 10-4 in the Sun Belt and in second place. The Mavs come into the contest with a three-game winning streak.

ULM also begins a four-game road trip as they are at Texas State. The Warhawks are also on a three-game winning streak.

Louisiana Tech is also in the lone star state as the Bulldogs face Texas San Antonio tonight. The Bulldogs are coming off two big wins last week and wtih six regular season games left, they sit alone in fourth place in the Conference USA standings.

LSU was knocked out of the tie for first place in Southeastern Conference standings last night after falling to Alabama 76-69 at the PMAC. Ben Simmons had 20 points and 10 rebounds for LSU, but he also turned the ball over three times and missed nine of 19 free throws. The Tigers visit Tennessee on Saturday.

Tulane was trounced by Houston last night 83-69. Tonight UL-Lafayette travels to face UT Arlington. ULM is at Texas State and Tech goes to UT-San Antonio.

Sources say the Saints have freed up some cap space by converting defensive end Cam Jordan’s $6 million dollar roster bonus into a signing bonus. New Orleans has now trimmed about $14 million dollars off its salary cap number heading into the 2016 season.

LSU Football coach Les Miles introduced two new additions to his coaching staff Wednesday. Jabbar Juluke is the new Tigers running backs coach while Dameyune Craig will be in charge of wide receivers…:
Cut 17 (12) “special things”
Juluke is a former St. Aug Purple Knight, state championship Karr head coach, Southern Jaguar and was the running backs coach at Louisiana Tech for three years. Craig left the wide receiver coaching job at Auburn to come work the same position for Miles.

Retiring Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne has been named a recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Longtime Alexandria sportswriter Bob Tompkins is receiving the same honor. Both men will be enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told Sirius XM NFL radio that the club intends to sign quarterback Drew Brees to a long-term contract. Loomis says they’ll get it worked out in a way that helps the team and fits what Brees wants to do. The nine-time Pro Bowler is 37-years-old and entering the fifth year of a 100-million dollar contract.

The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of defensive end Cameron Jordan. According to ESPN’s Field Yates New Orleans converted Jordan’s six-million dollar roster bonus to a signing bonus, which will save them four million dollars against the salary cap.

LSU football coach Les Miles told reporters today that quarterback Brandon Harris has resumed throwing the football after undergoing surgery last month to repair a sports hernia. Miles anticipates Harris will be fully recovered by the time spring practice starts on March 7th.

In major league baseball…former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Rockies. The All-Star second baseman hit .301 with six homers and 23 steals, plus he provided outstanding defense in the field.

Tomorrow afternoon is the NBA trade deadline. There are reports the Pelicans are aggressively trying to move forward Ryan Anderson. New Orleans is not expected to resign Anderson when he becomes a free agent this summer. The Cavaliers are reportedly interested in acquiring the three-point specialist.

Tonight at the Maravich Center, the LSU Tigers will host the Alabama Crimson Tide. Bama is one of the hottest teams in the league as they’ve won five of their last six, since losing to LSU on January 23rd in Tuscaloosa. Coach Johnny Jones on the difference between Bama now and then…
cut 30 (23) “….deal of confidence”
Tip-off is at eight o’ clock.

The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of defensive end Cameron Jordan. According to ESPN’s Field Yates New Orleans converted Jordan’s six-million dollar roster bonus to a signing bonus, which will save them four million dollars against the salary cap.

And General Manager Mickey Loomis told Sirius XM NFL radio that they would like to sign quarterback Drew Brees to a contract extension. But Loomis says negotiations have yet to begin with Brees’ agent Tom Condon.

A couple of former Saints were released Tuesday. The Chicago Bears said goodbye to offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, while the Lions cut running back Joique Bell.

The Lousiaina Superdome has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. It sounds like a good thing, but Dome officials say the designation could slow down maintenance and capital projects on the building. A Tulane University student nominated the Dome to the National Register Review committee .

Two LSU wide receivers are transferring out of the program. One of the them is Trey Quinn, who was a four-star recruit out of Lake Charles. Quinn played in 14 games in two seasons in Baton Rouge, but only only caught five passes in 2015. Kevin Spears is also transferring. He was a three-star recruit from Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, but never caught a pass in his LSU career.

Big game at the PMAC tonight as LSU hosts Alabama in an SEC showdown. The Crimson Tide is coached by Louisiana native and former Southern star Avery Johnson. Tigers Coach Johnny Jones he got to know Johnson when Jones was at North Texas and Avery was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks…
cut 30 (22) “…time together”
Tip-off tonight is at 8 PM.

LSU men’s hoops faces one of the hottest teams in the SEC tonight when the Tigers host Alabama. LSU beat the Crimson Tide by two points in Tuscaloosa on January 26th, but since then Bama has won five of its last six. Coach Johnny Jones on what he sees from Alabama during its current four-game winning streak…
CUT 1 (12) “…on the road”
Tip-off is at 8 PM.

New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis tells a radio show dedicated to the NFL that he hasn’t talked with quarterback Drew Brees’ agent about a contract extension, but he wants the star QB to finish his career with the Black and Gold. Brees is set to have a $30 million dollar cap charge in 2016 which could be reduced and benefit the Saints. But Loomis said it’s less the cap and more the fact that they want Brees to be the Saints quarterback for the foreseeable future.

LSU sophomore right-hander Alex Lange is named by USA Baseball to the 50-player preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch list. The list looks at the top amateur baseball player in the nation for the 2016 season. Lange posted a 12-0 record in 2015 and recorded 131 strikeouts.

The LSU football team is losing two more receivers. Highly recruited out of Barbe, Trey Quinn confirmed on Twitter that he’s transferring. Rising red-shirt junior Kevin Spears is leaving LSU as well.

LSU has received 20-thousand tickets to sell for the season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Prices range from 91-dollars to 118-dollars. LSU’s spring game is April 16th and the first spring practice is March 7th.

A couple of former Saints were released Tuesday. The Chicago Bears said goodbye to offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, while the Lions cut running back Joique Bell.