New Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr says he chose New Orleans because of the interest the team showed him as he searched for a new home after nine seasons with the Raiders. Carr says he was also overwhelmed with southern hospitality his family received
Cut 16 (15) “…my questions.”
Carr also spoke with the Manning family before signing a four-year deal with the Black and Gold.

Will Wade is the new head coach of the McNeese men’s basketball team. Wade was fired a year ago at LSU after the NCAA alleged Wade arranged impermissible cash payments to at least eleven recruits. After leading Northwestern State to a 13-win turnaround coach Corey Gipson has left the Demons to be the new head coach at Austin Peay.

The LSU women’s basketball team is a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll play Hawaii late Friday afternoon in the Maravich Center. A win for LSU and Sunday they’ll play the winner of the game between Michigan and UNLV. Indiana and Utah are the top two seeds in their regional.

In the first two years of the Kim Mulkey era, LSU received a high enough seed in the NCAA Tournament to host the first two rounds. Some fans are disappointed with the three-seed, but Mulkey reminds everyone this program has come a long way in a short time…
Cut 20 (22) “…of schedule”
And the Ragin Cajuns are a 14-seed in the Men’s Basketball Tournament and they’ll take on Tennessee on Thursday night in Orlando.

The LSU Lady Tigers are a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll host Hawaii on Friday in Baton Rouge. If LSU wins, they’ll play the winner of the Michigan and UNLV matchup on Sunday at the Maravich Center. Last season, LSU lost at home in the second round and Coach Kim Mulkey hopes they can go a little farther this year…
Cut 19 (17) “…the year”
Southern will play Sacred Heart in a First Four game on Wednesday night in Palo Alto, California. Southeastern heads to the Midwest to play second-seeded Iowa.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the Men’s Basketball Tournament. U-L Lafayette will take on Tennessee on Thursday night in Orlando. Will Wade gets introduce today as the new head coach at McNeese, Corey Gipson is leaving Northwestern State for Austin Peay.

New Saints starting Quarterback Derek Carr says he’s ready to get to work. During his introductory press conference with the New Orleans media, the 31-year-old says he has a chip on his shoulder after the Raiders decided to go in a different direction after nine seasons with the franchise…
cut 17 (20) “…I can do”
Teams can begin signing free agents on Wednesday and legal tampering with free agents begins today at 11 AM.

Pelicans second-year forward Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41 points on nine 3-pointers as New Orleans topped the Trail Blazers 127 to 110.

The top ranked LSU baseball team won by mercy-rule yesterday, 13 to 1, to complete a three game sweep of Samford. Tommy White hit a grand slam and Thatcher Hurd allowed no earned runs and struck out seven in five innings for the win.

The top-ranked LSU baseball team had another run-rule victory last night as the Tigrs trounced Samford eleven to one. Right-hander Paul Skenes (Skeens) struck out 12 and first baseman Jared Jones launched two home runs. Game two of the series is at 6:30.

Louisiana Tech got behind five to nothing and lost to third-ranked Arkansas seven to four. Jonathan Fincher gave up five runs in four innings and suffered the loss.

The Cajuns held off High Point eight to six. Kyle DeBarge hit a couple of two-run home runs. Nicholls blanked ULM eight to nothing. Tyler Theriot tossed six shutout innings. McNeese blanked Prairie View nine to nothing, Auburn over Southeastern Louisiana seven to one, Northwestern State knocked off Alabama A-and-M seven to zip and Little Rock over Grambling nine to five.

The Pelicans host Oklahoma City tonight at 7:30. Brandon Ingram is questionable with an ankle injury.
___________________________________________________________
At LSU spring practice, Coach Brian Kelly was asked about the possibility of moving to a nine-game SEC schedule. Kelly says he’s all in favor of playing an extra conference game…
cut 18 (15) “….good thing”

In NFL news, the Carolina Panthers now have the first overall pick after making a trade with Chicago that sends wide receiver D-J Moore to the Bears.

The Saints have offered a restructured contract to quarterback Jameis Winston. Reports say if he doesn’t take it, he’ll be released.

There are reports McNeese is closing in on hiring former LSU basketball coach Will Wade. Wade was fired from LSU last year for alleged NCAA Violations that involved inappropriate payments to players.

And LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant recorded three perfect tens during last night’s meet against West Virginia. She becomes the first LSU gymnast to accomplish that feat.

The Saints have reportedly offered quarterback Jameis Winston a restructured contract that would keep him on the team and serve as Derek Carr’s back-up. If Winston does not take the new deal, he’ll be released on March 15th when the new league starts. The Saints have re-signed special teams standout J-T Gray to a three year contract.

LSU has kicked off spring practice and running back John Emery is not on the practice field. Coach Brian Kelly says Emery is focusing on academics. Fellow running backs Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin are also recovering from injuries, so that means more reps for former Union Parish star Trey Holly, who is the state’s all-time leading rusher on the high school level. Coach Brian Kelly is expecting big things from Holly even though he’s already going through some growing pains…
cut 17 (17) ‘…you want”

The college basketball seasons came to an end yesterday for LSU, La Tech and Southern. The Southeastern women’s basketball team is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history as the Lady Lions defeated Lamar 66 to 57 in the Southland Tournament title game.

Five high school championship games will take place today in Lake Charles. At noon it’s the Division Four select, state championship game as top seeded Avoyelles Charter faces second seeded Family Christian. Another one versus two matchup will take place tonight az Zwolle faces Anacoco in the non-select Division Five title game.

In college baseball, top ranked LSU hosts Samford in the final weekend of non-conference action before SEC play begins. Louisiana Tech will take on third ranked Arkansas. Southeastern is at Auburn. The Ragin Cajuns host High Point. Nicholls travels to ULM and Northwestern State begins an eight-game homestand by taking on Alabama A-and-M.

LSU began spring football practice yesterday as Coach Brian Kelly got his first look at what his second year in Baton Rouge will look like. The Tigers have many key players from last year’s offense returning but had to resort to the transfer portal to fill some holes on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly praised the cornerbacks after their first day…
Cut 16 (20) “…of the ball.”
The Tigers are thin at running back to start spring practice with John Emery out to focus on academics and Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin out with injuries.

The Saints and Michael Thomas are working on a contract extension. The wide receiver has only played in ten games over the last three seasons.

The LSU men’s basketball season ended last night with a 77-68 loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament and Louisiana Tech lost 74-46 to North Texas in the Conference USA Tournament.

The Southeastern Louisiana women’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after beating Lamar 66-57 in the Southland Tournament Championship game.

Top ranked LSU baseball begins a three-game series against Samford tonight. The Bulldogs are 6-and-6 on the season.

Louisiana Tech visits third ranked Arkansas this weekend. Jonathan Fincher starts on the hill today for the Bulldogs, Rawley Hector gets the ball on Saturday and Reed Smith will pitch on Sunday after only pitching one inning last week after getting hit on the hand by a batted ball. But Tech Coach Lane Burroughs says he should be good to against the Razorbacks….
cut 20 (16) “…on Sunday”

LSU returned to Spring practice today as Head Coach Brian Kelly looks to improve on his first season in Baton Rouge.  Defensively, junior linebacker Greg Penn is LSU’s top returning tackler and Freshman All-American linebacker Harold Perkins is also back. Mekhi Wingo returns to lead the defensive line along with Maason Smith. Alexander says there are a bunch of starting spots up for grabs in the secondary….

Cut 18 (19) “…Denver Harris.”

Spring football will conclude on April 22nd.

The Pelicans kicked off a four-game homestand with a 113-106 win over the Mavericks last night. Both Luka Doncic and Brandon Ingram left the game with injuries, but guard CJ McCollum held off the Mavs with a 32-point performance. McCollum scored 16 points straight in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Pels return to action Saturday against OKC

The LSU men’s basketball team upset Georgia 72-67 in the opening round of the SEC tournament. The Tiger’s 2-16 conference record earned them the bottom seed in this year’s tournament, but LSU was able to get out to a 12 point lead at the half. After blowing double digit leads in their last two games, the Tigers held on behind an 18-point night from KJ Williams. Trae Hannibal and Shawn Phillips also both had double-doubles and LSU advanced to the second round of the tournament against a Vanderbilt team fighting for a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Louisiana Tech defeated FIU 81-76 in overtime behind a 23-point performance from Keaston Willis. Quandre Bullock added 8 more in OT to advance past the Panthers. Isaiah Crawford had 22 points of his own as four Bulldogs reached double-digits. LA Tech is a 10 point underdog in their matchup against second seed North Texas tonight in the second round of the tournament.

Louisiana Tech football announced the addition of 19 transfers ahead of spring practice. Among the transfers is former LSU linebacker Kolbe Fields. Fields plated in 11 games for the Tigers on defense and special teams making four tackles.Spring practice for the Bulldogs begins March 21st.

Spring football got underway this morning for LSU as Brian Kelly embarks on his second season as head coach. Kelly completely overhauled the program from top to bottom in 2022. Wilson Alexander, who covers the Tigers for the Advocate says this season LSU returns 26 players who started at least one game last year. That includes most of their offensive skill players…
Cut 16 (16) “..step there”
Running back John Emery was not at practice this morning. Kelly says Emery is strictly focused on academics.

In baseball, top ranked LSU improved to 12-and-1 last night with a nine to two victory over Lamar. Tommy White hit a three-run homer. Northwestern State edged ULM three to one and the Cajuns defeated McNeese five to three and UNO rallied to beat Southern ten to nine.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points and the Pelicans started a four-game homestand last night with a 113 to 106 win over the Dallas Mavericks. McCollum scored 16 of his first 32 points in the fourth quarter…
cut 19 (13) “…in a win”
It was McCollum’s first 30-point game since January 11th and the Pels needed it, because Brandon Ingram left late in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain. Zion Williamson will miss at least two more weeks with his hamstring injury.

LSU and Louisiana Tech advanced in their conference tournaments last night. The Tigers held off Georgia 72-69 and will play Vanderbilt tonight. The Bulldogs will play North Texas in the Conference USA Tournament after beating the FIU Panthers 81-76 in overtime.

Northwestern State lost in the Southland Conference Tournament title game to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.

LSU kicks off spring practice this morning. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is pegged as the starter for the 2023 season, but Advocate sports reporter Wilson Alexander says backup Garrett Nussmeier will have the chance to compete…
cut 17 (16) “….to arise”

Top-ranked LSU baseball defeated Lamar 9 to 2 as Christian Little gave up one run over four innings for the win. Tommy White homered and drove in four runs. Northwestern State defeated ULM three to one as Chase Prestwich pitched seven strong innings. The Cajuns knocked off McNeese five to three. Will Veilon’s two-run double in the sixth inning was the key hit. Southeastern blanked Alabama A-and-M 14 to nothing.

The Pelicans started a four-game homestand with a 113 to 106 win over Dallas last night. C-J McCollum scored 16 straight fourth-quarter points and finished with 32 points. New Orleans needed McCollum to step up as Brandon Ingram left the game with a right ankle injury. Before the game, the Pels said Zion Williamson’s injured hamstring is healing, but he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks.

LSU held off Georgia 72-67 to advance to the second round of the SEC Tournament. Four players scored in double figures led by K-J Williams who had 18 points and Trae Hannibal had 14 points and 11 boards.

Louisiana Tech survived and advanced in the Conference USA Tournament by beating Florida International 81-76 in overtime.

Northwestern State fell short in the Southland Conference Tournament Championship Game losing to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 75-71. McNeese has fired head coach John Aiken after two seasons.

The LSU baseball team goes after its seventh straight win tonight as they host Lamar at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers are 11-and-1, while the Cardinals are ten and two. Coach Jay Johnson has a quick scouting report on the visitors from Beaumont, Texas….
Cut 18 (06) “…really, really well.”
Lamar has a team ERA of 2.68. LSU’s team ERA is 2.88 First pitch is at 6:30.

In other action tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host McNeese. The Cowboys have won five in a row, including a five-to-four win over the Cajuns last week in Lake Charles. ULM hosts Northwestern State. The Warhawks won last night over Memphis four to three.

The Pelicans begin a four-game homestand tonight against Dallas. New Orleans is 31-and-34 and tied with two other teams for the final spot in the play-in tournament. But the Pels will play six of their next eight games at the Smoothie King Center. Tip time tonight is at 6:30.

LSU football has signed an offensive lineman out of the transfer portal that started 23 games the last two seasons at Maryland. Mason Lunsford will enroll at LSU this summer and he’ll have two years of eligibility. The Tigers were looking for competition at center and guard. Spring football kicks-off tomorrow for the Tigers.

The Cajuns kicked off spring practice yesterday, but starting quarterback Chandler Fields was not on the field. Coach Michael Desormeaux says Fields is recovering from a procedure for a non-football injury. He’s expected to be out for a week. But with Q-B Ben Wooldridge sidelined with an ACL injury, freshman Zeon Chriss took snpas with the first team.

McNeese has fired men’s basketball coach John Aiken after going 22 and 45 during his two seasons in Lake Charles. LSU faces Georgia tonight in the SEC Tournament, while Louisiana Tech takes on FIU in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament. Both teams are 14 and 17 on the season.

The top ranked LSU baseball team goes after its seventh straight win as they host Lamar at Alex Box Stadium. The Fighting Tigers are getting great contributions from their freshman class. Paxton Kling is hitting .391 and is hit his first collegiate home run on Monday. Johnson says the 2022 High School Player of the Year in Pennsylvania decommitted from the Tigers after Paul Mainieri retired…
Cut 19 (22) “…him around”
Kling started in right field on Monday and went 3-for-3 at the plate.

Last night the Warhawks snapped a three-game losing streak with a four to three win over Memphis. Nicholls edged Penn three to two. Tonight the Cajuns host McNeese while Northwestern State travels to ULM.

A disappointing season for the LSU men’s basketball team could come to an end tonight as the Tigers face Georgia in an SEC Tournament game. The Tigers went 2 and-16 in league play, but Coach Matt McMahon says tonight is the start of a new season….
cut 17 (17) “….on Wednesday”
Tip off will be around 8:30 tonight.

In the Southland, Northwestern State and Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi will play in the tournament title game at 4 PM. The winner will receive an invite to the NCAA Tournament. The Demons beat UNO yesterday, while Islanders eliminated McNeese. The Cowboys have fired head coach John Aiken after an 11-23 campaign. That’s the most losses in a single season in program history.