Fun game in the Smoothie King Center last night, but unfortunately the Pelicans three-game winning streak was snapped as Houston edged New Orleans 112-111. Anthony Davis left the game in the second quarter with concussion like symptoms, but Jrue Holiday stepped up big by scoring 32 points and dishing out nine assists. But the Rockets James Harden was even better as he scored 35 points and had eleven rebounds.

Tonight in the PMAC it’s LSU versus Georgia. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the key for LSU is junior guard Tim Quarterman, who has been up and down this season…
cut 17 (12) “….beat Georgia”
The Bulldogs are holding opponents to 38-percent shooting from the floor. Tip-off is at eight o’ clock on ESPN.

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.

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.

In college basketball last night, McNeese State needed overtime to beat Incarnate Word 79-76. Jamaya Burr scored a career-high 26 points, including eight points in O-T. The Cowboys are now 3-4 in Southland play.

Northwestern State won its first league game as the Demons beat Nicholls State 88-80. Zeek Woodley scored 30 points as Northwestern snapped a seven game losing streak. The Colonels fell to 5-16 on the year.

The LSU men’s basketball team finishes off the month of January with two home games, starting with tonight’s match-up against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers are 5-2 in the SEC, while Georgia is 4-3 and Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the Bulldogs feature three guards, who are each averaging over double figures..

cut 16 (14) “open looks”

Tonight’s tipoff is at 8PM. LSU will end the month by hosting number one ranked Oklahoma Saturday.

James Harden had 35 points as the Houston Rockets squeezed past the Pelicans last night 112-111. The Rockets made a season high 19 3-pointers during the contest. Jrue Holiday scored 32 to lead the Pels who had to play the second half without star forward Anthony Davis. Davis left the game in the second quarter after catching a stray elbow in the head from teammate Tyreke Evans. The Pelicans home stand continues Thursday when they host Sacramento.

In college hoops action, Jamaya Byrd scored 26 to lead McNeese State to a 79-76 overtime win over Incarnate Word. This is the second win in a row for the Cowboys and their first overtime contest of the season. McNeese looks to grab another win when they take on UNO Saturday.

Northwestern State defeated Nicholls State 88-80. Zeek Woodley led the way for the Demons with 30, followed by Sabri Thompson’s 18. The win snaps Northwestern’s seven game losing streak. The Colonels have now dropped five straight. The Demon’s will host Southeastern Louisiana Saturday afternoon, while Nicholls travels to Incarnate Word.

UNO beat Central Arkansas 94-83 and Southern has won six in a row after a 73-52 win over Alabama A&M.

UL Lafayette has announced its men’s basketball game Saturday night against Texas-Arlington has been moved up from 6:15 PM to 4:15 because of a Mardi Gras parade scheduled for Saturday in Lafayette.

The Pelicans seek their fourth straight win tonight as they host the Houston Rockets. This is game four of a seven-game homestand that has seen New Orleans shoot 50-percent from the field. The Pels are also coming off a game in which they hit a franchise-high 17 three-pointers in a 17-point win over Milwaukee. Houston is also playing well as the Rockets have won eight of their last eleven.

The LSU Tigers will have two home games coming up this week. They host Georgia tomorrow night and then they’ll take on number one ranked Oklahoma in the PMAC on Saturday afternoon.

Tonight in college hoops action, McNeese State seeks its second straight win as the Cowboys host Incarnate Word. UNO hosts Central Arkansas and Northwestern State is at Nicholls in a battle of last place teams.

UL Lafayette has announced its men’s basketball game on saturday night against UT Arlington has been moved up from 6:15 PM to 4:15 because of a Mardi Gras parade that night.

There will be 23 players from the Southeastern Conference that will play in Super Bowl 50. There are no LSU Tigers on Denver, but the Panthers have former LSU standout Trai Turner starting for them on the offensive line.

In Baseball America’s preseason collegiate baseball rankings….LSU is ranked 11th, UL Lafayette 13th. Florida tops the rankings.

D1 baseball has named LSU pitcher Alex Lange and outfielder Jake Fraley as preseason all-amercians. UL Lafayette’s Stefan Trosclair is also a D-1 baseball preseason all-american. The start of the season is 25 days away.

And ULM’s Justin Roberson has been named the Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Roberson scored 26 and 23 points in two victories for the Warhawks last week. And the senior from Natchitoches has also been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

It will be Carolina and Denver in Super Bowl 50. For New Orleans native, Peyton Manning, it will be his fourth appearance in the Super Bowl . The game will also feature former LSU Tiger, Trai Turner, who is a starting guard for the Panthers and former Saints safety Roman Harper, who also plays for the Panthers.

And looking ahead to next season, the Saints will play both teams that will appear in Super Bowl 50. Of course New Orleans will face Carolina, its division rivals, twice and the Saints are set to host Denver next season. We’ll find out exact dates most likely in April.

Saints tight end Benjamin Watson has been named a finalist for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. Watson gives back to the community through his Watson One More Foundation. Giants quarterback Eli Manning and 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin are the other finalists. The winner will be announced Super Bowl weekend.

The Pelicans continue their seven game homestand tonight against the Houston Rockets. New Orleans has won five of its last six, but remain four games behind Sacramento for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets are coming off an 11 point win over Dallas yesterday.

In college hoops…McNeese State hosts Incarnate World, Northwestern State is at Nicholls State. The Demons are winless in league play this season and Southern hosts Alabama A-and-M.

Baseball America’s college baseball preseason poll came out today and LSU is ranked 11th, while UL Lafayette is ranked 13th. Florida is ranked number one.

LSU sophomore pitcher Alex Lange has been named a first-team preseason All-American by D-1 Baseball, while junior outfielder Jake Fraley received third-team preseason All-America recognition. UL Lafayette first baseman Stefan Trosclair also received third team honors.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning is heading to a Super Bowl for a fourth time. Manning threw two touchdown passes as Denver held on to beat New England 20-18 in the AFC Championship game. It’s been a difficult year for the future Hall of Fame Quarterback, but he’s grateful for another opportunity at winning his second Super Bowl championship…

cut 24 (18) “Super Bowl 50″

Manning’s Broncos will face the Carolina Panthers, who pummeled the Arizona Cardinals 49-15. Cam Newton threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another two scores. Former LSU Tiger and Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson had a costly muffed punt in the 2nd quarter.

LSU narrowly got past Alabama 72-70. Ben Simmons led all scorers with 23 as the Tigers improve to 5-2 in SEC play, good enough for a three way tie for second. Georgia will visit Baton Rouge tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech snapped a two game losing streak in defeating Southern Miss 70-59. Erik McCree scored 25 and Alex Hamilton added 15 to lead the Bulldogs who are now 3-3 in Conference USA. Tech will host Texas-San Antonio Tuesday.

Justin Roberson scored 23 as ULM crushed South Alabama 100-68. All five Warhawk starters scored in double digits. ULM will take on Texas-Arlington Thursday in Monroe.

UL-Lafayette defeated Troy 88-65. Shawn Long led the Ragin Cajuns with 20 points, which passed the 2,000 point threshold in his collegiate career. The Cajuns welcome Texas-San Antonio Thursday.

In Southland Conference basketball action, Central Arkansas knocked off Nicholls State 94-83, Stephen Ugochukwu’s tip-in with 13 seconds remaining lifted McNeese State to a 75-74 win over Northwestern State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beat UNO 97-76.

Friday’s verbal commitment to LSU by five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School just strengthens what is already a strong recruiting class for the Tigers. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Tigers are now in excellent position to have the number one recruiting class in the nation once signing day arrives on February second…
cut 8 (10) “….lose anybody”
Coach Les Miles is not allowed to comment about Lawrence’s verbal pledge, but he did speak about the large group of juniors who have decided to return for their senior seasons…
cut 30 (14) “…this decision”
LSU will have 19 seniors on scholarship for the 2016 season.

LSU will face Alabama today at one o’ clock in an SEC match-up. The Tigers are looking to improve to 5-2 in the league, while Alabama has just one win in conference play. Tigers Coach Johnny Jones says rebounding will be a key in this one…
cut 18 (18) “….great opportunity”
Alabama starts four players who are six-foot-six and taller.

In other action….UL Lafayette goes for its fourth straight win as it hosts Troy. ULM looks to stay unbeaten at home as it takes on South Alabama. Louisiana Tech will try to snap a two-game losing streak as it visits Southern Miss. Also today, Grambling is at Jackson State.

The Pelicans host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at 6 PM. The Bucks played last night in Houston and lost by four.

LSU’s 2016 recruiting class landed another gem, as five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence, out of Neville High School, announced that he’s planning on attending LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Monroe product is six-foot-three, 309-pounds and looks like a can’t miss prospect…
cut 7 (12) “…rush the quarterback”
Lawrence will play behind defensive tackle Christian Lacouture. Lacouture told reporters today why he decided to return for his senior season…
cut 30 (18) “…with one”
The LSU men’s basketball team visits Alabama tomorrow in an SEC match-up. The Crimson Tide’s head coach is New Orleans native Avery Johnson. LSU Coach Johnny Jones says Bama’s win over nationally ranked South Carolina earlier this season was impressive…
cut 17 (22) “…in the NBA”
LSU enters this game with a record of 4-2 in league play, while Alabama is 1-4. Tip-off is at 1:00.

Also tomorrow…ULM hosts South Alabama, Grambling is at Jackson State, and Louisiana Tech is at Southern Miss.

Louisiana Tech announces it’s home opener in football in 2016 will be against F-C-S school South Carolina State on September 10th.

It’s another big day on the recruiting front for the Fighting Tigers football program as five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School in Monroe announced he plans on attending LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the LSU coaching staff has done an excellent job this year making sure in-state talent stays in Louisiana…
cut 6 (13) “…down in Rummel”
With Lawrence’s committment, the Tigers are in excellent position to possibly have the number one recruiting class in the nation once signing day arrives on February 3rd.

Louisiana Tech announces that it’s home opener in football for the 2016 season will be South Carolina State on September 10th. The Bulldogs are an F-C-S school and went seven and four last season. Tech begins its regular season at Arkansas on September 3rd.

After losing on the road to Texas A-and-M on Tuesday night, the LSU men’s basketball team looks for a road win tomorrow against Alabama. 2004 was the last time the Tigers went into Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa and came away with a victory. Coach Johnny Jones on why LSU has had trouble at Alabama…

cut 16 (18) “tough”

The game tips off Saturday at one and you can watch on ESPNU.

Last night in the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette picks up a 92-82 win over South Alabama. Senior guard Kasey Shepherd came off the bench to lead all scorers with 27, including six three-pointers.

Majok Deng tied a career high, scoring 33 points, as ULM beat Troy 85-74.

In college basketball action Saturday:

Louisiana Tech travels to Hattiesburg to face Southern Miss in Conference USA.

In the SWAC, Southern hosts Alabama State and Grambling is on the road to take on Jackson State.

The Southland Conference schedule has Nicholls State traveling to Central Arkansas, UNO visits league leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christie, and McNeese State hosts in-state rival Northwestern State.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette welcomes Troy and ULM hosts South Alabama.

Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans combined for 54 points as the Pelicans downed the Detroit Pistons 115-99. Davis scored 32 while Evans poured in 22 as the Pels have now won four of their last five. The Pelicans home stand continues Saturday when they take on Milwaukee.

Four star offensive lineman Will Allen from John Curtis High School has given his verbal commitment to sign with LSU. His pledge moves LSU back to number one in some of the recruiting rankings. Today, the Tigers will find out if Neville defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence plans on attending LSU.

Four star offensive lineman Will Allen from John Curtis High School has given his verbal commitment to sign with LSU. Allen is considered one of the state’s top prospects and one of the top offensive linemen in the nation. His verbal pledge moves LSU back to number one in some of the recruiting rankings. Tomorrow, the Tigers will find out if Neville defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence plans on attending LSU.

UL Lafayette has named Lewis Caralla as its new head strength and conditioning coach. Caralla was the director of strength and conditioning at North Texas and has also spent time at Michigan, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.

In college basketball tonight…UL Lafayette begins a five-game homestand when they take on Sun Belt rival South Alabama. ULM is unbeaten at home this season and they’ll host Troy tonight.

In the NBA…the Pelicans host the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

Changes have been made to LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri’s staff. LSU assistant Will Davis is leaving the program immediately to be an assistant at Lamar. It was previously announced that Davis would serve as the head coach at Lamar in 2017. Former LSU pitcher Nolan Cain will replace Davis on Mainieri’s staff. And it’s being reported that former Tigers catcher Micah Gibbs will be the new coordinator of baseball ops.

Former LSU baseball star Todd Walker has been elected to the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Walker was a standout baseball player at Airline High School in Bossier City and during his senior season, they lost just one game…
cut 19 (16) “…minute of it”
Joining Walker in the Hall this year is the late West Monroe football coach Don Shows and former Parkview Baptist football coach Kenny Guillot.