LSU gets a chance to face some of the best teams from the Big 12 this weekend when they compete in the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park. Tonight, LSU faces top ranked TCU, Saturday undefeated Baylor and Sunday 21st ranked Texas Tech. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says this weekend will continue the process of building a championship-caliber team..:
Cut 16 (20) “ball clubs”
All three games will be played at the home of the Houston Astros.

More on the diamond, last night Nicholls State fell to West Virginia 8-1 in Thibodaux.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host the top team in the Southwestern Division, San Antonio. New Orleans only victory since the All-Star break was without their new player, DeMarcus Cousins. Tipoff tonight is 8:30.

Saints Coach Sean Payton addressed trade rumors involving wide receiver Brandin Cooks Thursday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. In an interview with NewOrleansSaints.com, Payton said he wouldn’t say Cooks is on the trade block, but that the Saints are always open to offers for any player. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen says the Eagles and Titans are two teams with the most interest in the former first round draft pick.

College hoops, UNO fell to conference foe Southeastern last night 63-58, but since Northwestern State beat Stephen F Austin, 72-67, the Privateers are in sole possession of first place in the league standings. The Lions clinched their fifth straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament with the win. The Demons stay alive and could get a berth if they win tomorrow against Central Arkansas.
New Orleans will have a chance to win the Southland title outright when the Privateers travel to face Nicholls State on Saturday. Last night the Colonels fell to Lamar, 87-75. A win over UNO would put the Colonels into the tournament.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette picked up a 94-84 overtime victory over Texas State — a fifth straight win for the Ragin Cajuns. ULM fell to the top ranked team in the league, UT Arlington, 72-57.