The LSU men’s basketball team missed out on pulling off a big upset on Saturday after blowing a double-digit lead and losing to top ranked Oklahoma 77-75. LSU’s Ben Simmons had 14 points, but only took one shot in the final ten minutes. Coach Johnny Jones says his teammates need to do a better job feeding the post…
cut 20 (19) “….into late”
The 13-8 Tigers return to SEC play tomorrow night as they visit Auburn.

Five Bulldogs were in double figures yesterday as Louisiana Tech beat UTEP 78-70. Jacobi Boykins led the way with 18 points. The victory gives Tech a 16-5 record overall, 5-3 in Conference USA.

LSU has finally added a quarterback to its 2016 recruiting class. Zachary’s Lindsey Scott says he plans to sign with the Tigers on Wednesday. Scott is a three-star recruit, but was named Mr. Football in Louisiana for 2015 after leading the Zachary Broncos to the Class 5A Championship.

12 championships are coming to basketball, baseball and softball as a result of vote taken by member principals of the LHSAA. Where these additional championship games will be played, still has to be sorted out. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says there are concerns the expanded split playoffs could result in the loss of the LHSAA’s title sponsor, the Allstate Sugar Bowl…
cut 17 (13) “…can not do”
The expanded split playoffs for basketball, baseball and softball will begin for the 2016-17 school year.

Starting with the 2016-17 school year, split playoffs will expand from football to high school basketball, baseball and softball. That’s the result of a vote of high school principals who attended the LHSAA convention. 60-percent of them voted for it. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’s heard from many who are against a further expansion of the split…
cut 14 (09) “…differently”
The vote came after heated discussion from supporters and opponents of the proposal.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee approves changes to its statue rules that would allow a likeness of Pete Maravich to be errected on campus. Currently statues aren’t allowed of people who didn’t graduate from LSU. But Board member Scott Angelle says it’s terrible they actually have to debate this issue…:
CUT 10 (10) “fix it”
A couple of steps still need to be taken before this becomes reality.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts number one ranked Oklahoma in the PMAC tomorrow night. The Sooners are 17-2 and they are led by Buddy Hield, who is averaging nearly 26 points a game. Hield is shooting 52-percent from three-point land, but Tigers coach Johnny Jones says Oklahoma has more than one long-range shooter…
cut 30 (16) “…explosive”
Oklahoma is averaging 86 points a game. Tip-off is at 4 PM.

In other action on Saturday…the Ragin Cajuns will host Texas Arlington at 4:15, ULM takes on Texas State, Southeastern is at Northwestern, Nicholls visits Incarnate Word, McNeese is at UNO, Grambling travels to Arkansas Pine Bluff. And in the NBA the Pelcians will take on the Brooklyn Nets.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has voted to split the playoffs in the sports of basketball, baseball and softball, just like they’ve done for football the last three years. The vote was 182-to-120. The split will go into effect next school year and the LHSAA will have a lot of work to do to figure out how this will work logisitically. There’s also concern that this could result in a complete separation, where private schools form their own association.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee approves changes to its statue policy, which could clear the way for a Pete Maravich statue in front of the building that’s named after him. For a life size statue to be erected on LSU’s campus of a former athlete that person must have graduated from the school. The board is looking to eliminate graduation provision and require the former student athlete to achieve at least 100 credit hours or attend school for three years.

LSU takes on number one ranked Oklahoma in the PMAC tomorrow as part of the Big 12-SEC challenge. It’s also a match-up of two of the best players in college basketball, LSU’s Ben Simmons and Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield. Coach Johnny Jones says tomorrow’s game is much bigger than these two stars facing each other…
cut 30 (17) “…throughout the year”
Tip-off is at four o’ clock.

In college basketball last night….Shawn Long had a double-double, 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Cajuns easily defeated Texas State 80-54. ULM hit 15 three-pointers in a 99-88 win over UT Arlington at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. And senior Alex Hamilton ahd a double-double as he scored 18 points and dished out 11 assists in Louisiana Tech’s 85-75 win over Texas San Antonio.

Ryan Anderson scored a career high 36 points as the Pelicans downed the Sacramento Kings 114-105. Jrue Holiday pumped in 25 as the Pels have now won four of their last five matchups. The Pelicans handled the Kings without Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans, who both missed the game due to injury. The Pels seven game homestand continues Saturday when they host Brooklyn.

Anthony Davis has been named a reserve for the Western Conference in NBA All-Star Game. This is Davis’ third consecutive All-Star appearance. The Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap was named an Eastern Conference reserve. The former Louisiana Tech standout is also making his third straight All-Star appearance.

Speaking of Tech, they defeated Texas-San Antonio last night 85-75. The Bulldogs were led by Alex Hamilton, who scored 18 points and added 11 assists. Louisiana Tech improves to 15-5 and 4-3 in Conference USA action. They will host Texas-El Paso Sunday in Ruston.

In the Sun Belt Conference, UL-Lafayette cruised past Texas State 80-54. The Ragin Cajuns shot 52-percent from the field as they have now won five in a row. Shawn Long led the Cajuns with 19 points and 14 rebounds. UL-Lafayette will host Texas-Arlington Saturday afternoon.

ULM topped Texas-Arlington 99-88. Majok Deng scored 29 points and had five blocks for the Warhawks. ULM is currently on a three game winning streak. The Warhawks look to make it four in a row when they take on Texas State Saturday.

LSU hoops will be in the national spotlight Saturday as they host number one ranked Oklahoma at 4 PM in the PMAC. Tigers Coach Johnny Jones says there are very few times you get a chance at the top ranked team in the country…

cut 24 (08) “…and personal”

It’s 21st time that the Tigers have played number one. The last time LSU defeated a number one team was against Duke in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

Game five of the Pelicans current seven-game homestand is tonight as New Orleans hosts Sacramento. Anthony Davis is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game, with concussion like symptoms. Tyreke Evans is also questionable because of knee tendinitis. The Kings will not have Rudy Gay, because of an eye injury. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

ULM, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech are also home tonight. The Warhawks face Texas Arlington, who is in second place in league play. The Cajuns take on Texas State, who they have never lost to. And Louisiana Tech faces Texas San-Antonio, who has struggled this season as they are 4-16 on the season.

The LSU Tigers are getting ready to host number one ranked Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. The Bayou Bengals are coming off an 89-85 win over Georgia on Tuesday night and they have an overall record of 13-7. A win over the Sooners would really boost LSU’s NCAA Tournament hopes.

The LHSAA’s annual convention wraps up tomorrow and there are some big votes on the agenda for principals. One proposal would create select- non-select playoffs in basketball, softball and baseball. There’s also a proposal to return the football playoffs back to a five-class system, there’s also a proposal to have metro and rural divisions for the football postseason.

LSU linebacker Ronnie Feist is transferring Texas-San Antonio and he’ll play for new head coach Frank Wilson, who is LSU’s former recruiting coordinator and running backs coach. Feist made the announcement on Instagram. The Edgard native played in 15 games during four years in Baton Rouge and registered only five tackles.

In other SEC football news…Missouri has dismissed quarterback Maty Mauk from the team. Mauk has battled substance abuse during his time in Columbia. With him as a starting quarterback, Missouri is 17-5 and they were 2-6 in the eight games he missed in 2015. LSU is set to host Missouri on October 1st.

It’s day two of the LHSAA’s annual convention and there are big votes on the agenda tomorrow regarding the split football championships. There’s also a proposal to go back to a five-class system, another proposal to split playoff teams into metro and rural divisions and there’s also a proposal that would only have Classes 1A through 3A with a split playoff format. If none of those proposals pass, then the LHSAA will keep its playoff system that’s been in place since 2013 for at least one more year.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings tonight. Anthony Davis is doubtful after suffering a concussion in Monday’s loss to Houston. Tyreke Evans is questionable with right knee tendinitis. The Pels are 0-5 this season without Davis.

And the Lakers have announced plans to build a statue of Shaquille O’ Neal outside of the Stapes Center, where L-A plays its home games. Shaq won three NBA championships with the Lakers.

ULM looks to stay undefeated at home tonight as they host UT Arlington. The Warhawks are 4-4 in the league, while the Mavs are 5-2 in the Sun Belt and they have some impressive non-conference wins over Ohio State and Memphis.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns take on Texas State. UL Lafayette is on a four-game winning streak and they are also undefeated at home. Plus the Cajuns have never lost to Texas State in their six previous meetings.

And Louisiana Tech plays its first home game in nearly three weeks as the Bulldogs host Texas San Antonio. Tech enters this game in fifth place in the Conference USA standings, while the Roadrunners are tied for 11th.

In Sunday’s NFL Pro Bowl, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan will play on Jerry Rice’s team. That team will also feature former LSU Tigers Odell Beckham Junior and Jarvis Landry, while former Saints players, Darren Sproles and Malcolm Jenkins, will play on a team coached by Michael Irvin.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee voted to ratify the public-private football playoffs split that was approved by principals in 2013. That means for now the split is back on after the LHSAA’s executive director Eddie Bonnine said two weeks ago that the format was unconstitutional.

But high school principals can make further changes to the split when they vote on Friday. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee says there’s also a proposal to separate rural and metro schools….
cut 30 (09) “…have a direction”
Bonnaffee says the LHSAA will also vote on pay increases for officials and attendance boundaries to determine eligibility.

LSU announced today that it’s spring football game will take place on Saturday April 16th at 3 PM. No word on television.

Former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior has been named one of four team captains for the Pro Bowl and he’ll determine the rosters for Team Irvin and Team Rice when the Pro Bowl draft takes place tonight. There are five other former Tigers who have made the pro bowl, three of them are set to play in Sunday’s game, Andrew Whitworth, Jarvis Landry and Patrick Peterson, the other two, Trai Turner is in the Super Bowl and Tyrann Mathieu is hurt.

The LSU men’s basketball team can now focus on Saturday’s game against number one ranked Oklahoma after beating Georgia 89-85 last night. The Tigers improved to 13-and-7 on the year and six and two in the SEC.

Tonight Tulane hosts South Florida…tomorrow…ULM hosts Texas Arlington, the Ragin Cajuns will take on Texas State in Lafayette and Louisiana Tech hosts Texas San Antonio.

The Pelicans continue their seven game homestand on Thursday as they face Sacramento. Anthony Davis is listed as doubtful after suffering concussion like symptoms in Monday’s loss to Houston.

Freshman Ben Simmons had 22 points and 14 rebounds to help the LSU Tigers beat the Georgia Bulldogs 89-85 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center last night. Georgia nearly came back from a 14-point deficit to win the game in the final seconds, but missed on a couple of opportunities.

How the football playoffs will be structured is the big issue at this year’s Louisiana High School Athletic Association convention, which begins today. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee says discussion ramps up as principals and coaches try to reach a consensus before a vote on Friday…
cut 30 (04) “go on”
It was learned earlier this month that the association did not use proper procedures in enacting the public-private school split in 2013. It’s possible principals will vote to keep the split thats been in place the last three years or a new split that would separate schools between rural and metro areas.

LSU announces its spring game will be played on April 16th at 3 PM in Tiger Stadium. No word yet if it will be televised. The Tigers will begin spring practice on Monday March 7th. Also pro day, a chance for NFL scouts to watch draft eligible players work out will take place on March 14th.

Saints Coach Sean Payton and his staff is in Mobile, Alabama to observe senior bowl practices. Payton says you can learn a lot about player by watching them get ready for Saturday’s Senior Bowl…
cut 20 (13) “…your team’
Payton also announced that newly hired tight ends coach Dan Campbell along with longtime linebackers coach Joe Vitt, will share the duties of assistant head coach.

Louisiana Tech baseball has been picked to finish 11th in the 12-team Conference USA this season. Rice is the preseason favorite.

A format for the prep football playoffs will be voted on at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association convention, which kicks off in Baton Rouge today. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee of Central Catholic says there’s great uncertainty, after it was determined the association didn’t follow the correct procedures to split the playoffs between public and private schools in 2013…

cut 4 (09) “major issues”

Bonnaffee doesn’t see the principals agreeing to go back to the old format, where there were five championships.

Five Tigers scored in double figures as LSU defeated Georgia in SEC play last night 89-85. Ben Simmons led the way for LSU scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Tim Quarterman added another 22 as the Tigers improve to 13-7, 6-2 in league play. LSU will host top ranked Oklahoma Saturday afternoon.

Southeastern Louisiana fell short last night falling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 73-63. Marlain Veal led the way for the Lions with 16 points. The Islanders remain one of three Southland teams undefeated in league play. Southeastern travels to Natchitoches to take on Northwestern State Saturday.

SLU football coach Ron Roberts has named Matt Barrett as the Lions new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Barrett spent the last four seasons as the wide receivers coach at Georgia Southern. Roberts also announced he’ll take over the defensive play calling.

McNeese has named Tommy Restivo as its new defensive coordinator. Restivo spent the last two seasons at South Carolina State. In 2015, they were ranked fourth in the FCS in scoring and sixth in total defense.

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan will play in this Sunday’s Pro Bowl game. Jordan will replace Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones and he’ll be the Black and Gold’s lone representative in the game. Jordan had 10 sacks this past season and he’ll make his first appearance in the Pro Bowl since 2013.

Before LSU hosts number one ranked Oklahoma on Saturday, the Tigers have to figure out a way to beat Georgia tonight. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says with the Tigers battling to make the NCAA Tournament, they can’t afford a home loss to the Bulldogs…
cut 18 (16) “….anything else”
LSU is 12-7 on the year, while Georgia is 11-6. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Former LSU star Shaquille O’ Neal said on Monday night during a fundraiser event in Los Angeles that he was paid very well during his college years in Baton Rouge and added that the statue of limitations is up. But Shaq said today he was only joking and that he was trying to give a funny response to the questions they asked him during the event.

Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball has a tough test tonight as they visit Texas A-and-M Corprus Christi. The Islanders are 15-3 on the year, while the Lions have the opposite record at 3-15.

SLU football coach Ron Roberts has named Matt Barrett as the Lions new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Barrett has spent the last four seasons as the wide receivers coach at Georgia Southern. Roberts also announced he’ll take over the defensive play calling.

McNeese has named Tommy Restivo as its new defensive coordinator. Restivo spent the last two seasons at South Carolina State. In 2015, they were ranked fourth in the FCS in scoring and sixth in total defense.

LSU softball is ranked third in two major preseason polls that came out today. The Tigers were ranked in the top five at the end of last season and returns nine starters. UL Lafayette is ranked 11th in both polls and the Cajuns are picked to win the Sun Belt as senior catcher Lexie Elkins was named preseason player of the year in the Sun Belt.