Baseball America’s preseason ranking came out today and the LSU Tigers are ranked second. That’s a lofty ranking for a squad that has a long way to go before determining who will be in there weekend rotation. Jared Poche was a weekend starter last season and a Freshman All-American. The former Lutcher standout is one of eight returning pitchers and he likes what he sees from the young arms that have joined the team…
cut 18 (13) “….to college”
LSU is one of three SEC teams in the Baseball America preseason top 10. Vanderbilt is number one and Florida is ranked sixth.

The Pelicans seek their fourth win a row tonight against the 76ers. Philadelphia is 8-and-36 on the year, but beat the Pels by double digits over a week ago. 76ers point guard Michael Carter Williams will not play because of an illness.

LSU announced today that spring football for the Tigers will begin on March seventh and the spring game will occur on April 18th. Also, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s contract is two years at one-million dollars annually. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to sign off on the deal this Thursday at their board meeting.

ESPN is pushing college football playoff officials to move next season’s semi-final games to January second, which would be a Saturday. Right now they are scheduled to be played on New Year’s Eve, which is a Thursday. So far, the C-F-P is unwilling to move the games. The Orange Bowl in Miami and Cotton Bowl in Dallas are hosting the semi-finals.

In college basketball…LSU’s Jordan Mickey has been named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Player of the Week. The sophomore from Dallas had 25 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s overtime win over Vanderbilt. The Tigers host South Carolina on Wednesday.