An interesting candidate has emerged for LSU’s vacant defensive coordinator position. Charles Hanagriff, of 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge, reports LSU officials have spoken to Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Smart could be looking for a change of scenery to help build his resume for a potential head coaching job down the road

cut 16 (12) “with him”

The 39-year-old Smart has been Alabama’s defensive coordinator the last seven seasons.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the national college football champions after pounding Oregon 42-20 last night in Dallas. The Buckeyes rushed for 296 yards and 5 touchdowns leading the school to their first national championship since 2002. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer becomes only the second coach to win a national championship at multiple schools. The Buckeyes end their season with a 14-1 record.

The Pelicans did not begin their 5-game road trip the way they wanted as they fell to the Boston Celtics 108-100 last night. Anthony Davis poured in 34 for the Pels, followed by Eric Gordon with 21 and Tyreke Evans’ 19. The Celtics had six players score in double digits. New Orleans falls to 18-19 and travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons tomorrow night.

A pretty rough night for state colleges on the hardwood…

In the Southland Conference, Southeastern Louisiana lost to Sam Houston 59-72. Zay Jackson scored 18 and Joshua Filmore added 17 as the Lions fall to 4-12, 1-2 in the Southland.

UNO was crushed by Incarnate Word 97-66. The Privateers are 1-2 in league play and 5-7 overall.

In the SWAC, Alcorn State outlasted Grambling 72-70 last night. And Southern was able to pull out a win over Jackson State, 60-52.

In Nachitoches tonight, Northwestern State head basketball coach Mike McConathy goes for his 600th career win as the Demons face Abilene Christian in Prather Coliseum.