Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, through his attorney, has filed a response to the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In the filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the team following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.

LSU defensive back Jalen Mills’ trial for misdemeanor simple assault will take place April eighth, which is about ten days before the spring game. Mills is accused of punching a woman in the mouth, which allegedly occurred last June. Mills has entered a plea of not guilty and his attorney claims it was actually Mills’ girlfriend who hit the woman.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a two-year, two-million dollar contract for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele when the board meets Friday in Shreveport.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are off tonight. They won their fourth in a row last night, beating the lowly 76ers 99-74. Tomorrow, New Orleans will host Denver, who is 18-and-27 season on the season. The Pels are a game and a half back of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In college basketball…Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and McNeese State all continue to fall towards the bottom of the Southland standings as they all lost last night. The Colonels were blown out by Northwestern State 80-51. The Demons are 5-and-3 in the league and they are at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

In recruiting news…Neville standout Kavonte Turpin has decided he’ll play his college football at TCU. The Ragin Cajuns 2016 baseball recruiting class has been rated as the best in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Perfect Game. Two of the top players in that class are from Louisiana, including Hogan Harris, a left-handed pitcher at St. Thomas More.