Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says the late Will Smith would have been the team’s defensive line coach in 2016, if he had not been gunned down last April. Payton spoke at a pre-sentencing hearing for Cardell Hayes, who was convicted on manslaughter in the fatal shooting of the former Saints star. At the end of his testimony, Payton choked up and said Smith was a special person. Hayes will be sentenced no later than Friday. He faces up to 60 years.

NFL fans should be excited today. That’s because the 2017 schedule is unveiled tonight at 7 PM on the NFL Network.

A week from today, it’s the first round of the NFL draft. The Sacramento Bee reports LSU running back Leonard Fournette visited with the 49ers yesterday. San Francisco has the second overall pick in the draft. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier calls LSU receivers Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural among the best kept secrets in this draft.

Louisiana Tech baseball had another good offensive night last night as the Bulldogs outlasted Little Rock 10-6. For the second consecutive night Jonathan Washam had three hits, Brent Diaz drilled a three-run homer and Parker Bates reached three times.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball won their fifth straight as UL Lafayette defeated Southeastern Louisiana 9-2. Brad Antchak, Steven Sensley and Kennon Fontenot each had three hits.

Also last night, Tulane topped Southern Miss 10-8.

Today, LSU leaves for its series against Kentucky. The Wildcats lead the SEC East, while Tigers freshman center fielder Zach Watson has a 12-game hitting streak.

Former LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has found a new job. Jones has been named an assistant at Nevada. Eric Musselman is the head coach of the Wolpack and he served as an assistant under Jones, during the 2014-15 season when the Tigers received a bid to the NCAA Tournament.