Visitation and funeral details for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson have been announced. A public visitation will take place Wednesday and Thursday at Notre Dame Seminary on Carrollton Avenue. A private funeral will be held Friday at St. Louis Cathedral.

Saints all-time leading rusher, Duece McAllister, remembers Benson as a guy that would talk to anyone at anytime…
cut 7 (09) as a person”
Mr. B’s widow, Gayle Benson, is the new owner of the Saints and Pelicans. She released a statement saying she’s heartbroken but thankful for the fans devotion to their teams and city. She also said she’s surrounded by wonderful leadership and they’ll move forward successfully together.

The Saints have signed pass rusher Alex Okafor to a two-year, 10-million dollar contract. He recorded 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, before injuring his achilles in week 11 and missing the rest of the season.

SEC play begins tonight weather permitting for the 16th ranked LSU Tigers who host Missouri. Zack Hess will start on the mound for the Bayou Bengals, while Missouri will counter with six-foot-seven right-hander Bryce Montes De Oca. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s one of the best pitchers in college baseball…
cut 17 (12) “….together”
First pitch is at 6:30.

Also today, ULM is at South Alabama. Grambling hosts Southern, Louisiana Tech faces Rice at 6 PM. And the Ragin Cajuns travel to Georgia Southern.

In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Arkansas becomes the first SEC team to be eliminated. The seventh seeded Razorbacks lost to Butler 77-62. Seventh-seeded Texas a-and-M advanced with an 73-69 win over Providence. Former North Caddo star Robert Williams had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Aggies.