The LSU women’s basketball team will try to advance to the NCAA’s Sweet 16 for the first time in eight years when they host Ohio State tonight. Following their escape against Jackson State, the Tigers get another big test in the Big Ten champs and their leading scorer Jacy Sheldon. Sheldon is averaging 20 points per game this season and scored 25 in OSU’s win over Missouri State. LSU’s Ryann Payne talked about trying to slow Sheldon down.

Cut 17 (19) “…three balls too.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm at the P-MAC.

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Scott Woodward didn’t wait long…just two days after the men’s basketball team’s season ended in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, it looks like Woodward has chosen former Murray State coach Matt McMahon to lead the Tigers. In seven seasons at Murray State, McMahon compiled a 154-67 record and four regular-season Ohio Valley Conference championships.

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Northwestern State has found the successor for Mike McConathy, who stepped down last week after 23 seasons at the helm. Missouri State associate head coach Corey Gipson was named the 10^th head coach of the Demons on Monday afternoon. Gipson has spent the past six seasons with Missouri State, with stints at Austin Peay and UNC-Greensboro before that.

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The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to close out a 3-0 road trip when they visit the Charlotte Hornets this evening. The Pels topped Atlanta Sunday night, 117-112, and moved into sole possession of ninth in the Western Conference standings with 11 games left to play in the regular season.

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After being spurned by Deshaun Watson, the Saints have reunited with Jameis Winston, agreeing to a two-year, $28-million contract according to several reports. Last season Winston went 5-2 as a starter for the Who Dats, throwing 14 touchdown passes with just three picks before tearing his ACL last Halloween against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

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The quarterback carousel continues to spin around the rest of the NFL with longtime Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan heading to Indianapolis to join the Colts in a trade. Atlanta followed that move by signing former Titans and Raiders signal-caller Marcus Mariota.

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And…Tuesday’s baseball game between LSU and Louisiana Tech has been postponed due to the threat of severe weather.

After a narrow escape of Jackson State in the first round, the LSU women’s basketball team can advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 by beating Ohio State tonight in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes are 24-and-6 and as Coach Kim Mulkey points out, O-S-U won a share of the Big 10 regular-season conference championship….

Cut 16 (16) “…so quick.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm at the P-MAC.

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The search for LSU’s next men’s coach may be heating up with multiple reports indicating that Murray State’s Matt McMahon could be atop Scott Woodward’s list to replace Will Wade. Murray State was eliminated in the second round by tournament darling Saint Peter’s on Saturday and finished the season with a 31-3 record. Over seven seasons, McMahon has a career record of 154-67 and has led Murray State to four Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships in the past five seasons.

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LSU baseball didn’t get off to the best start in SEC play, dropping its first two games to Texas A&M before stealing a 7-6 win on Sunday to avoid a sweep. Discipline at the plate and in the field were big issues, but Coach Jay Johnson liked how his team battled back in the finale…

Cut 20 (17) “…that stuff.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in ninth in the Western Conference standings after picking up a 117-112 road win over the Atlanta Hawks. Jonas Valanciunas led six Pels in double figures with 26 points and 12 rebounds. CJ McCollum added 25 points and eight assists. New Orleans holds the tie-breaker over the Los Angeles Lakers with 11 games remaining in the regular season. Their three-game road trip ends tonight in Charlotte against the Hornets. Charlotte has won four in a row and six of its last eight ball games.

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The Pelicans also announced that Zion Williamson will not play this season, and instead will focus on being fully ready for the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

The LSU baseball team rallied back from a 6-2 deficit in the 5th inning to beat Texas A-and-M seven to six yesterday to salvage the final game of the first SEC series of the year. After Ma’Khail Hilliard gave up five runs in four innings, the Tigers got great work from their bullpen and Dylan Crews drove in the game-winning run in the eighth inning. Coach Jay Johnson on his first SEC win…
cut 19 (19) “…better today”

In other action, Louisiana Tech took two of three from UTSA, the Ragin Cajuns were swept by Troy and ULM went 1-1-and-1 against Coastal Carolina as yesterday’s game finished in a 17-17 tie.

The third-seeded LSU women’s basketball team seeks a spot in the Sweet 16 tonight when they face Ohio State in the PMAC. Coach Kim Mulkey says defending the three is a key for tonight…
cut 18 (18) “….March madness”
The tip-off is at 7 PM.

43-year-old Matt McMahon has reportedly emerged as the front runner to be the next men’s basketball head coach at LSU. McMahon has been the head coach at Murray State for seven seasons and he’s led the Racers to the NCAA Tournament three times.

The Pelicans defeated Atlanta 117 to 112 last night to move into a ninth place tie with the Lakers in the Western Conference standings. New Orleans is at Charlotte tonight.

Former LSU golfer Sam Burns won the Valspar Championship in Florida and is now ranked as the tenth best golfer in the world.

The LSU men’s basketball team’s stay in the NCAA Tournament didn’t last long as the Tigers lost to Iowa State 59-54 last night. The Cyclones hit 12 three-pointers, while LSU made just four. Iowa State’s Tyrese Hunter hit two long threes from way downtown to secure the upset win. Tigers Interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry….
cut 19 (19) “…go down”
LSU finishes 22-12 and the search for a new head coach amplifies, but the Tigers could also face severe NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.

Today the Lady Tigers make their appearance in the Big Dance as they host Jackson State at 4 PM inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
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Quarterback Deshaun Watson is not coming to the Saints, instead the three time Pro Bowler is headed to Cleveland. It’s a move that stunned the sports world as many suspected Watson would end up in either Atlanta or New Orleans. The Saints may end up re-signing Jameis Winston to be their starting QB next season.

The Saints have signed defensive tackle Kentavius Street, who has three sacks in 35 NFL games, all of them with the San Francisco 49ers.

The LSU baseball team lost last night in its SEC opener as Texas A-and-M scored two runs in the seventh inning and two more runs in the ninth inning to beat the Tigers six to four.

Louisiana Tech rallied from a four to one deficit to beat U-T-S-A six to five. ULM held on to beat Coastal Carolina three to two, while the Cajuns lost to Troy seven to one.

In the Southland, Samford slammed Southeastern Louisiana ten to four, Eastern Illinois edged McNeese three to two and Northwestern State defeated South Dakota State as Cal Carver pitched six strong innings for the win.

Many March Madness fans are waking up to a busted bracket as this year’s NCAA Tournament was hit with a big upset Thursday when No. 2 Kentucky fell to No. 15 St. Peters.

LSU will get its turn tonight in the opening round, its third appearance in the last four years. It will do so without its head coach and with a very young roster. Senior Darius Days has embraced the task of keeping the team together.
Cut 13 (16) “gonna be alright”
The Tigers will face Iowa State, out of the Big 12. Tipoff is slated for 6:20.

“Watson Watch” has moved into another day as Saints fans wait to hear if their new signal caller will be Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

The 13th ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight against Texas A-and-M and the status of the Tigers’ top starting pitcher is unknown. Blake Money left last Friday’s game with a wrist injury and yesterday Coach Jay Johnson couldn’t say if he would start tonight or even pitch this weekend…:
Cut 16 (10) “different day”
First pitch at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field is 6:30pm.

Elsewhere around the diamond in Louisiana today; ULM is at Coastal Carolina, McNeese hosts Eastern Illinois, UL-Lafayette is at Troy, and Southeastern is at Samford.

Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram remains sidelined for an important matchup against the Spurs on the road this evening. With 13 regular season games left, the Pels trail the 9th place Lakers by one game and hold 1 and a half game leads over the Trail Blazers and San Antonio.

The entire Who Dat Nation remains on pins and needles as they await word on whether or not the Saints have acquired Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Social media has been buzzing with speculation and rumors since Watson completed his visits with his prospective new teams. Nick Underhill of New Orleans-dot-Football says Saints officials and owner Gayle Benson made a final pitch in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, free-agent running back Ty Montgomery is signing with the New England Patriots after spending the last two seasons in New Orleans.

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LSU women’s basketball guard Khayla Pointer continues to add to her trophy collection. The fifth-year senior has been selected as a second-team All-American after averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, and just over five assists per game so far this season, setting career-highs in each category. Pointer was named first-team All-SEC last week and earlier this year became the first player in LSU men’s or women’s basketball history to total at least 15-hundred points, 500 assists, and 500 rebounds in a career. Next, she’ll lead the Tigers into their opening-round matchup with Jackson State, Saturday at 4 pm in the P-MAC.

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This year’s NCAA tournament appearance for LSU’s men will be the sixth straight with a different head coach. Four of the previous five won at least one game in the tournament before bowing out. The Tigers’ last interim coach, Tony Benford, famously led LSU to the Sweet 16 in 2019 when Will Wade was suspended. That team had a bit more experience than this one, but Kevin Nickleberry says being young won’t stop the Tigers from being ready to play.

Cut 21 (19) “…will perform.”

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The women’s National Invitational Tournament, better known as the NIT, tips-off tonight as well. The Tulane Green Wave host Jacksonville State. The Wave’s 20 wins so far this season are the most for the program since 2015-16. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech hosts Houston…The Lady Techsters are playing in their first postseason tournament in four years.

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Today is one of the best sports days of the year as the first round of the NCAA Tournament tips off. The first game begins at 11:15 when Michigan meets Colorado State. Tomorrow, LSU will face Iowa State in Milwaukee in a six versus 11 seed match-up. The Tigers made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year but interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry says this year’s experience will be different…
cut 17 (19) “….we’ll see”

Last night in the N-I-T, S-M-U ended Nicholls season as the Mustangs galloped past the Colonels 68-58. Devante Carter had 20 points and seven assists in a losing effort.

Southeastern Louisiana lost to South Alabama 70-68 in the first round of the inaugural The Basketball Classic postseason tournament.

The Lady Tigers are getting ready for their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Jackson State. LSU is 25-and-5 and first-year head coach Kim Mulkey is getting a lot of the credit, but Mulkey says LSU couldn’t have the season it has had, without seniors Khayla Pointer, Jalin Cherry and Faustine Aifuwa…
cut 19 (20) “….starts with them”
Pointer has been named a second-team All-American.

In college baseball last night, the Ragin Cajuns outscored McNeese ten to eight. It’s the second straight game U-L Lafayette had 17 hits. Will Veillon, Heath Hood and Julian Brock each had three hits.

And Tulane topped Nicholls five to three.

Texas swept the Cajuns in a softball doubleheader.

8^th-seeded Nicholls State will take on top-seed SMU in the opening round of the NIT tonight. The Colonels enter the tourney 21-11 with the Mustangs at 23-8. This is the first postseason appearance for Nicholls since 1998.

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Nicholls is in action on the diamond as well, as they visit Tulane…and the Ragin Cajuns pay a visit to McNeese.

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LSU’s Tari Eason earned honorable mention in the voting for the Associated Press All-America Team. Eason is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers, who take on Iowa State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

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After losing Marcus Williams to the Baltimore Ravens, the Saints have agreed to terms with former Jets safety Marcus Maye. The team has also reportedly reached agreement on an extension for cornerback Bradley Roby. Free-agent offensive lineman Terron Armstead is waiting to see if the Saints complete a trade for Deshaun Watson before picking his next team. Watson, a Georgia native, reportedly met with the Atlanta Falcons today and is expected to make a decision between the Falcons, Saints, and Panthers.

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LSU overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Tulane 7-5 for its fifth straight victory as the Tigers get ready for SEC play to start this weekend. Tre’ Morgan had the hot bat for LSU, driving in three runs and Eric Reyzelman struck out six in two and a third innings for the first win of his career. Tiger’s pitchers struck out 14 on the night as they improve to 14-3 heading into their series with Texas A&M.

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Southeastern pulled off a major upset, shutting down top-ranked Ole Miss, 5-1 on Tuesday. It’s the third win over a ranked opponent this season for the Lions, and their second over a team ranked in the top five. Tyler Finke and Shea Thomas combined for six hits and three runs scored, with Adam Guth pitching five solid innings for the win. The Lions travel to Birmingham to take on Sanford this weekend.

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Louisiana Tech doubled-up UL-M, beating the Warhawks 8-4 at Warhawk Field. The Bulldogs put up five in the first inning and held on from there. Walker Burchfield smacked a pair of solo home runs for Tech and Greg Martinez picked up the win, pitching four innings and allowing just one run.

LSU overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Tulane 7-5 for its fifth straight victory as the Tigers get ready for SEC play to start this weekend. Tre’ Morgan had the hot bat for LSU, driving in three runs and Eric Reyzelman struck out six in two and a third innings for the first win of his career. Tiger’s pitchers struck out 14 on the night as they improve to 14-3 heading into their series with Texas A&M.

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Southeastern pulled off a major upset, shutting down top-ranked Ole Miss, 5-1 on Tuesday. It’s the third win over a ranked opponent this season for the Lions, and their second over a team ranked in the top five. Tyler Finke and Shea Thomas combined for six hits and three runs scored, with Adam Guth pitching five solid innings for the win. The Lions travel to Birmingham to take on Sanford this weekend.

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Louisiana Tech doubled-up UL-M, beating the Warhawks 8-4 at Warhawk Field. The Bulldogs put up five in the first inning and held on from there. Walker Burchfield smacked a pair of solo home runs for Tech and Greg Martinez picked up the win, pitching four innings and allowing just one run.

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Former LSU star Andrew Whitworth has decided to go out on top after 16 seasons in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro had a storybook ending to his career after winning the Super Bowl with the Rams last month. Lifelong friend Rick Guillot says now is a time for celebration, not sadness.

Cut 14 (12) “…better than that.”

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Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to choose his next team today. Saints beat writer Rod Walker says if the team fails in its pursuit of Texans Watson, they could miss out on re-signing Jameis Winston who went 5-2 as a starter last season.

Cut 17 (12) “…after all.”

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After losing Marcus Williams to the Baltimore Ravens, the Saints have agreed to terms with former Jets safety Marcus Maye.

NFL free agency officially begins today and the Saints have a number of holes to fill, the biggest at starting quarterback. Rod Walker covers the Saints for the Advocate Newspaper and says if the team fails in its pursuit of Texas QB Deshaun Watson, they could lose out on re-signing Jameis Winston, who went five and two as a starter last season…
cut 17 (12) “….after all”
The Deshaun Watson trade sweepstakes could come to an end today as Houston could pull the trigger on a trade today.

New Orleans has lost safety Marcus Williams to free agency. The second-round pick in the 2017 draft has signed a five-year, 70-million dollar deal with the Ravens. But the Saints have found his replacement as they’ve reportedly inked a three-year deal with Marcus Maye. Maye has been a starter with the Jets, but he tore his Achilles last November.

Former LSU Tiger and West Monroe star Andrew Whitworth has announced his retirement at the age of 40 and after 16 NFL seasons. Whitworth was just honored as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year and he also goes out on top, winning his first Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

What’s next immediately for Whitworth is up in the air. Coaching, broadcasting, and even joining the Rams front office are all possibilities. West Monroe native Rick Guillot, who also serves on the board of Whitworth’s foundation, says his dedication to making a difference for others is one thing that won’t be in question.
Cut 16 (12) “…already made.”

In college baseball last night, fourth-ranked LSU held off Tulane seven to five for its fifth straight win. Right-hander Eric Reyzelman struck out six of the eight hitters he faces. Southeastern Louisaina upset top-ranked Ole Miss five to one in Hammond. It’s the third victory for the Lions against a ranked opponent this season. Walker Burchfield homered twice as Louisiana Tech doubled up ULM 8-4.