4:45 LRN Sportscast March 28

A sputtering LSU baseball team begins a three-game set tonight against top ranked Arkansas. Coach Jay Johnson’s team is 2-4 in SEC play and knows his guys need to be on top of their game….
cut 15 (15) “…pitch”
Arkansas is 20-6, 5-1 in the SEC and their pitching staff leads the nation in team ERA at 2.50. Tonight’s starting pitcher for the Hogs, Hagen Smith, is the top pitcher in the country, 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Also, ULM hosts 19th ranked Coastal Carolina. The Cajuns seek their eighth straight win when they visit Texas State. Louisiana Tech is at F-I-U. The Golden Panthers are 4-2 in Conference USA, while the Bulldogs are 3-0.

Receiver Malik Nabers put on a show at LSU’s Pro Day, running a 4.35 in the 40 yard dash in front of NFL teams. Nabers is a lock to be a top ten pick and he could be the first receiver taken in the NFL draft. The Youngsville native is LSU’s all-time leader in receiving yards, but describes himself as a humble person…
cut 18 (20) “….to be made”

In basketball….the Pelicans host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight.

The Ragin Cajuns leading scorer last season, Kobe Julien, has entered the transfer portal. Julien averaged 17 points and averaged 5 boards a contest and was a second team All-Sun Belt selection.

The Lady Tigers left for Albany New York today. They’ll play UCLA on Saturday at noon in the Sweet 16.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Malik Nabers has made his case to be the first wide receiver selected in next month’s NFL draft. At LSU pro day, the 20-year-old from Youngsville had a broad jump of nearly eleven feet, a vertical of 42-inches and ran the 40 in a blazing 4.3 seconds…
Cut 16 (16) “…special today.”
Nabers didn’t work out at the NFL combine and there was speculation his 40-time was 4.5. But after running a 4.3 he could be picked ahead of Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Junior.

ULM has announced its season opening football game will be played on Thursday August 29th. The Bryant Vincent era will begin with a game against Jackson State.

ULM women’s basketball has advanced to the Great Eight in the WNIT after beating Southern Miss 84-71 last night. The Warhawks will now wait to play either North Carolina A-and-T or Troy.

A sputtering LSU baseball team begins a three-game set tonight against top ranked Arkansas. Coach Jay Johnson’s team is 2-4 in SEC play and knows his guys need to be on top of their game….
cut 21 (15) “…pitch”
Arkansas is 20-6 overall, 5-1 in the SEC and they will start the best pitcher in college baseball tonight, left-hander Hagan Smith who is 4-0 with 1.24 ERA. First pitch from Fayetteville is at 6 PM.

U-L Lafayette and La Tech are also on the road. The Ragin Cajuns go after their eighth straight victory tonight against Texas State. The Bulldogs have won five in a row and will face F-I-U in Miami. ULM begins a three-game set against 19th ranked Coastal Carolina tonight at Lou St. Amant Field.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU faces its biggest test of the college baseball season tonight as they begin a three-game series at top ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks will throw left-hander Hagen Smith. He’s this year’s version of Paul Skenes. Smith is 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA. LSU coach Jay Johnson has announced Luke Holman will start tomorrow and has not announced a starter for tonight.

The Ragin Cajuns seek their eighth win in a row and they are at Texas State starting tonight. The Cajuns are 5-1 in the Sun Belt, while the Bobcats are 4-2. ULM hosts 19th ranked Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks are 2-4 in the Sun Belt, Coastal is 3-and3.

Louisiana Tech has won five in a row and they are at FIU. Also, McNeese opens Southland play by visiting Northwestern State. The Demons dropped two of three to Southeastern last weekend. The Lions host Houston Christian.

ULM defeated Southern Miss in the W-N-I-T 84-71 and will play either North Carolina A-and-T or Troy.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers woke up at 5 AM yesterday morning and ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at LSU’s pro day. An impressive time that helps his case to be the first receiver taken in next month’s NFL draft. Nabers on what he’s telling NFL teams during his interviews…
cut 17 (20) “….make plays”
Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels also participated at LSU pro day. Daniels could be the number two overall pick. He’s anxious for his name to be called on draft night…
Cut 19 (15) “…as a player.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

At LSU pro day today, Malik Nabers made a case in front of NFL teams that he should be the first receiver selected in next month’s draft. Nabers ran a 4.35 in the 40 and also showed off a 42-inch vertical. LSU’s all-time leading receiver knew he would put up impressive numbers…
cut 19 (05) “…going to be special”
Quarterback Jayden Daniels also had a good day showing off his throwing skills. Daniels could be the number two overall pick if the Washington Commanders decide that he’s the guy to be their franchise quarterback. Daniels was asked what he thought about the Commanders…
cut 30 (18) “…whoever they take”
Daniels says he’ll also meet with the New England Patriots, who have the third overall pick. The Pats are also looking for a franchise quarterback.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says the team is confident defensive end Chase Young will be 100-percent once he goes through the rehabilitation process following surgery on his neck last week. Allen says everyone was aware of the procedure when he signed a one-year 13-million dollar contract
Cut 18 (20) “…as possible.”

Former LSU Tiger Tre’Davious White has signed a one-year, ten million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The Shreveport native is a former All-Pro cornerback for the Buffalo Bills.

Former Washington Badgers defensive lineman Gio Paez has committed to LSU. He made six starts last season and recorded 23 tackles and two quarterback hurries.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans rallied from 20 points down to take a five-point lead with about three minutes left, but ended up losing as Oklahoma City scored the final 12 points of the game to lose 119 to 112. NOLA hosts the Bucks tomorrow.

Tommy White, Mac Bingham and Hayden Travinksi all homered as the LSU Tigers defeated Southeastern Louisiana eight to  four.

The Ragin Cajuns won their eighth in a row as they defeated Grambling 12 to four. Blake Marshall struck out six over four innings for the save.

Louisiana Tech scored eight runs in the first two innings and ended up beating ULM eight to four. Northwestern State edged Louisiana Christian five to four, McNeese blanked Mississippi Valley State six to nothing and UNO defeated Southern 12 to 2.

Pro day at the LSU football practice facility. Scouts from the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots will take a close look at Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

___________________________________________________

NFL owners approve a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.
Saints Coach Dennis Allen says new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will look to run the ball to set up the pass…
cut 20 (09) “….play action”

LSU cornerback Javien Toviano says new defensive coordinator Blake Baker encourages the whole defense to celebrate after making plays during spring football…
cut 17 (16) “…this year”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Busy night of sports in Louisiana….eighth ranked LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana tonight. The Lions have won eight of their last nine, while the Tigers have dropped two in a row.

The Ragin Cajuns have won seven in a row and host Grambling State. ULM is at Louisiana Tech.

The Pelicans will host Oklahoma City tonight at 7 PM. It’s a matchup between two of the better teams in the Western Conference.

The Lady Tigers will play UCLA on Saturday in Albany, New York. The Bruins rallied to beat Creighton on Monday night. The LSU women’s basketball program has also announced six-foot-five Jersey Wolfenbarger will transfer to the Lady Tigers. Wolfenbarger played two years at Arkansas and averaged six points and four rebounds per game. The former McDonald’s All-American will have two years of eligibility at LSU.

After beating Grambling last night in the WNIT, the ULM women’s basketball team will host Southern Miss tomorrow night.

And University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has left the WAC for the Southland Conference.

In Spring football, Blake Baker is LSU’s new defensive coordinator. Cornerback Javien Toviano says he’s brought a lot of energy and wants everyone on defense to celebrate when someone makes a play…
cut 17 (16) “…this year”
Louisiana Tech kicked off spring practice yesterday. The Bulldogs have a new defensive coordinator in Jeremiah Johnson. Defensive lineman Jayden Gray says he appreciates the positive feedback they get from Johnson…
cut 15 (25) “…next drive”
Johnson is a former defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa and Kent State.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The NFL has approved a new rule that would encourage kick off returns but also reduce the possibility of concussions. It’s a similiar rule that the XFL used. Kickoffs will remain at the 35-yard-line, but the remaining ten players on the kicking unit will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line, and the kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or is caught by the return man.

The NFL also plans on having a game on Christmas Day this year, even though Christmas is on a Wednesday.

The NFL network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Ryan Ramczyk could miss the 2024 season because of medical reasons. Raymcyzyk missed five games last year and in December said cartilage defect in his knee put his playing future in question.

Also former Minden and Louisiana Tech star L’Jarius Sneed has agreed to a four-year, 76-million dollars with his new team. Sneed was traded by Kansas City to Tennessee last week.

Fifth year senior Kyren Lacy of Thibodaux has a chance to be LSU’s top receiver in 2024 after catching 30 passes last season for 558 yards and seven touchdowns. Coach Brian Kelly likes how Lacy is approaching spring football…
cut 18 (15) “…that way”

Spring football is also underway for Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs have to replace one of the greatest wide receivers in program history in Smoke Harris. Coach Sonny Cumbie says he’s excited to see the development of Marlion Jackson, Solo Lewis and Dakota Williams.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

After losing a series to Florida, the LSU Tigers return to the baseball diamond tonight to host Southeastern Louisiana. The Tigers dropped three spots in the latest D-1 baseball poll to number eight losing in extra innings on Saturday night to the Gators and then getting run-ruled on Sunday. Southeastern Louisiana has won eight of its last nine and nearly beat the Tigers in Hammond earlier this year. First pitch is at 6:30 at Alex Box Stadium.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns have won seven straight and will host Grambling. The Tigers have won six in a row and are one of three teams in the SWAC undefeated in league play. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Louisiana Tech has won four straight and they visit ULM. Bulldogs outfielder Cole McConnell was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week for a second time this season. McConnell hit four home runs in the sweep over Jacksonville State this past weekend.

Big game tonight for the Pelicans. New Orleans who is trying to lock down the fourth spot in the Western Conference Standings hosts Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 49-21 and in second place in the West and New Orleans is 44-27. The Pelicans have won eight of their last ten.

The Lady Tigers will play UCLA in the Sweet 16 round as the Bruins defeated Creighton 67-63. Top seeded Iowa also advanced.

ULM defeated Grambling 102 to 76 in the WNIT. First postseason win for the Warhawks in 39 years.

At LSU spring practice, Coach Brian Kelly says they are working on the running game…
cut 16 (18) “…to have”

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is leaving the WAC for the Southland and will become a full-time member this July.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU women’s basketball team is headed to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year after beating Middle Tennessee 83-56. The Lady Tigers fell behind by nine early in the third quarter but finished the game by outscoring the Lady Raiders 51-15. Angel Reese stepped up her game in the second half after Coach Kim Mulkey told the All-American that she needed her…
Cut 18 (18) “…I need”

A Washington Post article on LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey could be published this week. Mulkey says the same reporter previously did a hit job on football coach Brian Kelly and he’s spent the last two years trying to dig up dirt on her…
Cut 13 (11) “…positive stories”
Mulkey is promising a defamation lawsuit if the story contains any lies about here.

For the second straight weekend, LSU baseball dropped an SEC series and for the second straight Sunday, the Tigers were run-ruled. Florida beat the Tigers 12-2 in eight innings yesterday. Coach Jay Johnson was ejected in the fifth inning after both teams were warned about trash talking and Johnson came out of the dugout to complain that Florida’s pitcher said something to Hayden Travinski. The ejection didn’t fire up the team…
Cut 16 (24) “…team today.”

While LSU baseball is struggling, the Ragin Cajuns have won seven in a row after sweeping Old Dominion. Louisiana Tech has won four straight after sweeping Jacksonville State. The Bulldogs host ULM tomorrow afternoon. The Warhawks dropped a series at Georgia State this past weekend.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Lady Tigers are moving on to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season after an 83-56 win over Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders led by nine points early in the second half, but LSU got its act together and outscored Middle Tennessee 51-14 over the final 18 minutes. Coach Kim Mulkey says in the second half they picked up the pace and played with more effort…
cut 19 (17) “….third and four quarter”
LSU will play again on Saturday in Albany, New York and they will play the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Creighton.

Zion Williamson was 13 of 14 from the field and scored with 36 points as the Pelicans easily defeated Detroit 114 to 101 yesterday.

Another tough weekend for the LSU baseball team. The Tigers dropped two of three to Florida and they were run ruled 12-to-2 in eight innings yesterday. The Tigers are 2-and-4 in the SEC and will begin a series against top ranked Arkansas on Thursday following a home game against Southeastern Louisiana tomorrow night. Coach Jay Johnson says his team’s competitive character is getting tested…
cut 17 (17) “….answer the bell”

The Ragin Cajuns have won seven in a row after sweeping Old Dominion. U-L Lafayette allowed just one run for the weekend. ULM lost two of three to Georgia State. Louisiana Tech opened Conference USA play by sweeping Jacksonville State. McNeese and Nicholls were swept this past weekend. Southeastern took two of three from Northwestern.