LSU Men’s Basketball will begin SEC play tonight in the P-MAC. The 11-1 Tigers will host ninth-ranked Arkansas as new Head Coach Matt McMahon looks to establish himself in the SEC. The Razorbacks are 5.5 point favorites and the Tigers have an opportunity to open conference play with a statement win, but McMahon says his goal is the same as always: to help his team become the best they can be…
Cut 16 (19) “..of themselves.”
Arkansas has a talented freshman in six-foot-five Nick Smith and they force nearly 19 turnovers a game, 11th best in the nation. Tip time is at 8 PM on ESPN Two.

Former Destrehan star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed has been hired as the new head coach at Bethune Cookman. He takes over for Terry Sims who went 38-39 in seven seasons. Reed, who played for the Miami Hurricanes, has spent the last three years as an administrator with the Hurricanes football program.

Northwestern State men’s basketball built a 15-point lead in the first half, but the Demons struggled in the second half and lost to Texas A-and-M 64-52. Despite the loss, Northwestern made a season-best 13 three-pointers on a school record 40 attempts.

The Pelicans who are on a three-game winning streak will host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves are 16-and-18 overall, while the Pels are 21-12 and 14-and-4 inside the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans is one game back of Denver for first place in the Western Conference. After tonight, the Pels host Philadelphia on Friday and visit the Grizzles on Saturday to close out 2022.

The Pelicans were severely short-handed last night, but they still won by 20 points as New Orleans dribbled past the Indiana Pacers 113 to 93. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels didn’t play, but Naji Marshall stepped up and scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds and had four assists. Coach Willie Green says Marshall works hard every day so he can succeed when he gets his chance…
cut 16 (22) “…take advantage of it”
The Pelicans have won three in a row and will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

If Jayden Daniels returning to play for the Tigers next season was on your Christmas Wish List, you’re very happy to know he’s planning to stick around the 2023 season. Tiger Rag assistant editor William Weathers says it gives Tiger fans high hopes for next year.
Cut 13 (07) “…immeasurable.”
Starting defensive back Greg Brooks has also announced he’s returning next season. Brooks was fourth on the team in tackles with 61 tackles and also had an interception in the win over Auburn. The LSU Tigers are scheduled to leave for Orlando today to continue preparations to play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on January second.

Tonight in college basketball action, Northwestern State is at Texas A-and-M, LSU begins SEC play tomorrow against Arkansas. The Lady Tigers are up to number nine in the latest A-P Top 25 poll and LSU will be at Arkansas for the SEC Opener.

Once again Tampa Bay came back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to win a game. Last night they rallied to beat Arizona in overtime to stay one game ahead of the Saints and the Panthers in the NFC South.

On Saturday New Orleans defeated Cleveland 17-10. For the first time this year, Coach Dennis Allen’s team has a two-game winning streak…

cut 18 (10) “….coaching em”

Running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in bitterly cold temperatures…
cut 17 (20) “…what it is”
The Saints are at 13-and-2 Philadelphia on Sunday.

Zion Williamson is no longer in Health and Safety protocols so it looks like he’ll play tonight against the Indiana Pacers. Williamson missed the last two games, but New Orleans still pulled out victories over San Antonio and Oklahoma City. Larry Nance Junior is listed as questionable with right Achilles soreness. Brandon Ingram remains out with a left toe contusion.

LSU basketball is mourning the death of Willie Sims, a member of the Tigers 1981 NCAA Final Four team. He was known as the Super Sub, coming off the bench bringing energy and spirit. He was considered the best sixth man in college basketball. He died on December 23rd at the age of 64 after suffering a heart attack in August while living in Israel.

The LSU Tigers will tip off SEC play on Wednesday against Arkansas. Both teams are 11-and-1 on the season. Tomorrow night, Northwestern State is at Texas A-and-M.

The 12-and-0 Lady Tigers are at Arkansas on Thursday. LSU is ranked 10th in the country, while the Lady Backs are ranked 17th and they are 13-and-2, losing their last two games to 16th-ranked Oregon and South Florida.

A high of 16 degrees is expected in Cleveland today for the Saints-Browns game at 12:00. Some snow will be flying around and the wind will be out of the southwest from 25 to 35 miles per hour. New Orleans Quarterback Andy Dalton who played in cold conditions for a majority of his career was asked about how the wind conditions could affect today’s game…
cut 16 (12) “…get out there”
The Saints will be without their leading receiver Chris Olave. He’s out with a hamstring injury. Slot receiver Jarvis Landry has been put on injured reserve and linebacker Pete Werner will also miss the game with a hamstring injury.

The Saints are three points underdogs. Also today, the Panthers host the Lions, the Falcons are at Baltimore, and tomorrow night Tampa Bay is at Arizona.

LSU football has officially added seven players from the transfer portal. Including two of the nation’s top high school prospects in the Class of 2022, wide receiver Aaron Anderson from Alabama and cornerback Denver Harris from Texas A-and-M. Also, one of the top cornerbacks from the F-C-S level is heading to Baton Rouge, cornerback Zy Alexander, who starred at Southeastern Louisiana the last two seasons.

A frustrating Ragin Cajuns season ended with a frustrating loss to Houston in the Independence Bowl as the Cougars rallied to beat UL Lafayette 23-16. The Cajuns had a 16-6 lead at halftime, but couldn’t do anything offensively in the second half and they finish with a six and-seven record.

The Pelicans gave up a 21-point lead to Oklahoma City last night, but still beat the Thunder 128 to 125. Trey Murphy had 23 points as he hit five three-pointers and Jaxson Hayes had a season-high 21 points.

A high of 16-degrees is expected in Cleveland tomorrow for the Saints-Browns game at 12:00. It will also be very windy, and some snow will be flying around. New Orleans Quarterback Andy Dalton who played in cold conditions for a majority of his career when he was with the Bengals answered a bunch of questions this week about playing in the cold…
cut 16 (23) “…get the job done”
The Saints will be without their leading receiver Chris Olave. He’s out with a hamstring injury. Slot receiver Jarvis Landry has been put on injured reserve and linebacker Pete Werner will also miss the game with a hamstring injury.

LSU football has announced the addition of seven players signed out of the transfer portal. The group includes two of the nation’s top high school prospects in the Class of 2022, wide receiver Aaron Anderson from Alabama and cornerback Denver Harris from Texas A-and-M. Also, one of the top cornerbacks from the F-C-S level is heading to Baton Rouge, cornerback Zy Alexander, who has starred at Southeastern Louisiana the last two seasons.

CJ McCollum was the star for the Pelicans in their 126 to 117 win over the Spurs last night as he scored 40 points, also had eight rebounds and nine assists. But tonight he’s questionable with right calf soreness as New Orleans visits Oklahoma City. Larry Nance Junior did not play last night, but tonight he’s questionable with right achillies soreness. While Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are out. Tip-off in O-K-C is at 7 PM.

The Lakers say former Pelican Anthony Davis is out indefinitely with a foot injury.

The Ragin Cajuns and the Houston Cougars will play in a very cold Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport today. The temperature at kick-off will be 25-degrees. U-L Lafayette Zi’Yon Hill says the team isn’t worried about the weather…
cut 17 (18) “….perfectly fine”
The Houston Cougars are a touchdown favorite.

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels says he’s coming back next year after leading the Tigers to an SEC West Championship. But five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks has signed with Alabama over LSU. But former Texas A-and-M cornerback Denver Harris has committed to LSU.
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After snapping a four game losing streak last night by beating San Antonio 126 to 117, New Orleans visits Oklahoma City tonight. Last night, C-J McCollum scored a season-high 40 points as New Orleans played without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram or Larry Nance Junior. New Orleans is 19-and-12, a half a game back of Denver and Memphis for first place in the Western Conference Standings.

At 5-and-9, the Saints have been given a two-percent chance of making the playoffs. But Quarterback Andy Dalton says the team will continue to fight the rest of the season…
cut 18 (19) “….most of it”
Kick-off tomorrow is at noon. High temperature in Cleveland tomorrow is 15-degrees, which will be the coldest game played in the Saints franchise history.

LSU signed 25 players out of high school on the first day of the early signing period. Ten are from Louisiana and 21 of the 25 are from SEC states. Kelly and his staff are not done. The Tigers are expected to receive a signed national letter of intent today from five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks and then announce 10 transfers on Friday. Kelly says he will only use the transfer portal to supplement his roster…
cut 17 (23) “….have a plan”
Kelly announced during his radio show that Ali Gaye will not play in the Citrus Bowl. So Mekhi Wingo is the only regular starter on the D-Line that will play in the game.
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The Pelicans will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight without Zion Williamson as he will not play because he’s been placed in health and safety protocols. Zion is averaging 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists a game and has helped New Orleans to an 18-and-12 record.

In college hoops last night, LSU edged out East Tennessee State 72-68. K-J Williams had 28 points and 12 rebounds. The Tigers next game is the SEC opener at home against Arkansas on Wednesday.

Louisiana Tech ended a three-game losing streak with a 108-52 victory over Jarvis Christian. The Bulldogs will host U-T-S-A a week from tonight. 7th ranked Texas trounced the Cajuns 100-72 and third-ranked Houston handled McNeese 83-44.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was selected to the NFC’s Pro Bowl Team Wednesday night, the first time in his outstanding 11-year career he’s earned the honor. The Saints will leave today for Cleveland and will play the Browns on Saturday.