Anthony Davis’ 32 points lead the Pelicans to a 99-74 win over the Philadelphia 76ers last night at the Smoothie King Center. Eric Gordon added 13 and Omer Asik pumped in 10 as the Pels have won their fourth in a row. The Pelicans welcome the Denver Nuggets tomorrow night. The Pels four game winning streak is their longest of the season.

In college basketball, it was a busy night in the Southland – Northwestern State beat up on Nicholls State 80-51. UNO downed a winless Central Arkansas squad 87-67. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi continue their winning ways with a 70-61 win over Southeastern Louisiana. And McNeese State blew a 12 point halftime lead to lose to Incarnate Word 86-84.

In the SWAC last night, Alabama State upended Southern 63-59. The loss drops the Jaguars to third place in the conference.

Baseball America’s preseason rankings have the LSU Tigers ranked second. That is a high ranking for a squad that has a long way to go before determining who will be in its 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”

Coach Paul Maineri says Poche will get the start in the Tigers season opener against Kansas on February 13. LSU is one of three SEC teams in the Baseball America preseason top 10. Vanderbilt is number one and Florida is ranked sixth.

LSU announced 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 at their board meeting Thursday.