The opening night of the NBA season has arrived. The Pelicans begin the season tonight in Golden State against the defending champion Warriors. The Pelicans will start the year without their top two centers Omar Asik, who has a calf strain, and Alexis Ajinca, who has a hamstring injury. Swingman Quincy Pondexter won’t return until November and point guard Tyreke Evans recently had knee surgery. Jake Madison is with Bourbon Street Shots and he says the Pels will definitely miss Evans, who is coming off a good season…
cut 17 (14) “…time being”
Pelicans made the playoffs last season as the eighth seed and were swept by Golden State in the first round. Tip-off is at 9:30.

LSU’s showdown with Alabama will be a night game. Kick-off in Tuscaloosa has been set for seven PM and CBS will televise the game. The Crimson Tide has won four straight.

After a rough start to the season, the Saints are now 3-and-4 and they have a chance to get over the .500 mark as the next two games are at home. This Sunday, New Orleans hosts the Giants, who are 4-and-3 after beating Dallas. The Saints Cam Jordan is one guy that’s playing at a high level, he has five sacks in the last two games.

In college sports….Judy MacLeod has been named the new commissioner of Conference USA. She becomes the first female commissioner of a FBS conference.

UL Lafayette quarterback Jalen Nixon is the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week. Nixon had a career-high 201 yards rushing and 253 yards passing in a loss to Arkansas State last week. Nixon and the Cajuns host ULM this Saturday. The Warhawks have lost five in a row.

And Sterlington has moved into the Top 10 of the Louisiana Sports Writers assocation Class Two-A football rankings. Notre Dame of Crowley remains ranked number one followed by Many.