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.

For the second time in four seasons, the LSU men’s basketball team heads into the NCAA Tournament with an interim coach. They made it to the Sweet 16 in 2019 without Will Wade who was suspended after his voice popped up on an FBI wiretap allegedly discussing financial payments to a recruit. Wade has now been fired for alleged recruiting violations, but interim coach Kevin Nickelberry is confident he and the staff can bring the team together under these circumstances as well….

Cut 20 (18) “….they want to be”

The Tigers face Iowa State on Friday night.

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It’s a big week for the Tigers on the diamond as well. They host 10-6 Tulane at the Box tonight before opening SEC play this weekend with a three-game series against Texas A&M. LSU has won four in a row and is ranked 16^th in the country by Baseball America. Tulane won the last meeting, 10-9, in April of 2018 and has taken five of six in a series that dates back to 1893.

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The New Orleans Saints met with Deshaun Watson Monday night, as they try to make a deal for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback and Tuesday they suffered their first major loss in free agency as safety Marcus Williams agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. The team also restructured the deal of defensive lineman Marcus Davenport as the Saints work to get under the salary cap. So far, New Orleans is the only team in the league to not make a move in free agency.

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Coach Dennis Allen has added three more members to his coaching staff, as the Saints announced the hiring of Bob Bicknell as a senior offensive assistant, Sterling Moore joins the defensive staff, and Matt Clapp is in as the team’s new strength coach.

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Former LSU star Andrew Whitworth has decided to go out on top. After 16 seasons, four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections, and finally winning both the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and a Super Bowl championship this season, Whitworth is retiring from football. He spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Rams for the last five.

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The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to close their four-game homestand with a split when they host the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans won the last matchup 117-102 on February 25.

The Saints met with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on Monday night, according to reports. Houston will likely seek multiple first-round picks, and an established player or two, in exchange for the 28-year-old franchise QB. He’s scheduled to earn roughly $34 million per season over the next four years.  If the Saints acquire him, Rod Walker of The Advocate says they’re doing it to win a championship right now.

Cut 18 (13) “…worth it.”

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The Saints have also placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent receiver Deonte Harty, so if Harty signs an offer from another team, they will have the opportunity to either match or receive a second-round pick as compensation. Former LSU standout and five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry has been released by the Cleveland Browns. In four seasons in Cleveland, Landry had 288 catches for more than 3500 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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Number three seed LSU will have to wait until Saturday for their NCAA opening-round matchup with Jackson State. By the time they tip-off, it will have been more than two weeks since the Tigers took the court. Coach Kim Mulkey says the rest vs rust debate isn’t something she had to consider during her time at Baylor.

Cut 19 (18) “…you play again.”

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Mike McConathy, a fixture at Northwestern State for the last 23 years, has announced his retirement as men’s head basketball coach. Over a 39-year career, he won 682 games with 330 of those coming with the Demons. Under McConathy, Northwestern State won two regular-season conference titles and made three trips to the NCAA tournament. The program has struggled of late…finishing below .500 six times in the last seven seasons.

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Tulane visits LSU at The Box tonight, and the Pelicans host the Phoenix Suns.

The Saints and Panthers are reportedly the two teams most interested in trading for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson. The three-time pro bowl selection did not play last season, because of 22 civil lawsuits and ten criminal complaints were filed against him alleging inappropriate contact with massage therapists. The criminal charges have been dropped, clearing the way for Watson to play in 2022. Rod Walker with the Advocate Newspaper says if the Saints want to make a deal with the Texans it will cost them draft capital…
cut 17 (16) “…..like Deshaun”
The Saints are also reportedly interested in signing former LSU Tiger and Lutcher standout Jarvis Landry. The 29-year-old receiver was released by the Browns.

For the second time in four seasons, the LSU men’s basketball team heads into the NCAA Tournament with an interim coach. They made it to the Sweet 16 in 2019 without Will Wade who was suspended after his voice popped up on an FBI wiretap allegedly discussing financial payments to a recruit. Wade has now been fired for alleged recruiting violations, but interim coach Kevin Nickelberry is confident he and the staff can bring the team together under these circumstances as well….
cut 20 (18) “….they want to be”
The Tigers face Iowa State on Friday.

Northwestern State head coach Mike McConathy has announced his retirement after 23 seasons as the head coach of the Demons. McConathy won 330 games at Northwestern and posted another 352 victories at Bossier Parish Community College. McConathy also took Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament three times.

Assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry will lead LSU into battle when they start NCAA tournament play Friday against Iowa State…The Tigers are 20-12 this season and making their third consecutive tournament appearance. Nickelberry says the players were heartbroken when they learned of Will Wade’s firing Saturday, but they’ll be ready to play come game time.  He stressed that this is a unique situation, and a special opportunity for the Tigers.

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LSU baseball is back in the top five after collecting four wins over nonconference foes, according to Collegiate Baseball. The Tigers face Tulane tomorrow night before starting SEC play this weekend.

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The Saints are one of the teams in pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.  According to reports the Saints and Panthers have made offers to Houston for Watson, who plans to meet with both teams over the next two days. The 28-year-old has four seasons remaining on his contract with an average payout of $34 million in salary and bonuses.

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After a 25-5 season, the LSU Lady Tigers are the three seed in the Spokane Region of the Women’s Basketball Tournament and will play Jackson State on Saturday in the PMAC. Kim Mulkey has led LSU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018 and this is the first time since 2014 that the Lady Tigers will host first and second-round games.

Cut 18 (23) “…for the players.”

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After a 40-day retirement, Tom Brady has decided to return to the NFL for one more run. The 44-year old will be playing his 23^rd season, three short of the record held by George Blanda. Besides the teams in the NFC South, at least one other person is extremely disappointed by Brady’s return. What was supposed to be his final career touchdown ball sold for $518 thousand just hours before Brady announced his return.

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The NCAA tabbed LSU as a six-seed for the Men’s Tournament, but Will Wade will not be joining the Tigers in Milwaukee, where they will play 11^th-seeded Iowa State out of the Big 12 on Friday night. Assistant Kevin Nickleberry takes the reigns after Wade was terminated by LSU for alleged major recruiting violations within the program over a number of years. Nickelberry says the players were heartbroken when they learned of Wade’s firing, but they’ll be ready to play in the NCAA Tournament…

Cut 8 (11) “…with character.”

LSU has now advanced to three straight NCAA Tournaments, but the search for a new head coach will be impacted, just how much will depend on how harsh the NCAA is with its punishment.

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Good news on the diamond for LSU as they completed a three-game home sweep of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. The Tigers outscored the Wildcats 28-8 over the weekend, including a 15-0 shutout on Sunday. Four players had three RBI and Ma’Khail Hilliard struck out six over six scoreless innings as LSU improved to 13-3.

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Kim Mulkey and the LSU women’s basketball team are staying home for the start of the NCAA tournament. The P-MAC will host first and second-round contests for the first time in 8 years, with the third-seeded Tigers taking on Jackson State this Saturday. When Mulkey was the head coach at Baylor last season, her Lady Bears beat Jackson State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, so she’s familiar with them…

Cut 17 (19) “…with the score.”

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Without Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans snapped their four-game losing streak with a 130-105 grounding of the Houston Rockets. Jonas Valanciunas led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds in just 27 minutes. Rookie Jose Alvarado collected the first double-double of his career with 16 points and 10 assists. The Pels close out their four-game homestand against the Phoenix Suns tomorrow night.

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LSU is a six-seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, but head coach Will Wade will not bring them to the Big Dance. Wade was fired on Saturday for allegedly committing major recruiting violations that finally became public after a lengthy NCAA investigation. Assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry is serving as interim head coach…
Cut 7 (12) “…be here.”
The Tigers will face Iowa State on Friday night in Milwaukee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Saints are reportedly interested in trading for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson now that he’s been cleared of criminal charges following allegations of sexual misconduct stemming from massage therapy sessions. Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits. The NFL Network reports the Saints and Panthers have made strong trade offers to Houston.

After a 25-5 season, the LSU Lady Tigers are the three seed in the Spokane Region of the Women’s Basketball Tournament and will host Jackson State on Saturday in Baton Rouge. Kim Mulkey and the team watched the unveiling of the bracket in the PMAC with hundreds of fans…
Cut 16 (18) “…the game.”

The Nicholls State University men’s basketball team is in the N-I-T for the first time in program history and the Colonels will visit top-seeded SMU on Wednesday.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 32 points last night as the Pelicans snapped their four-game losing streak last night with a 130 to 105 win over last-place Houston at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans has a one-game lead over Portland for the final spot in the play-in tournament.

For the third time this season, the LSU men’s basketball team lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks as the Hogs eliminated the Tigers from the SEC Tournament with a 79-67 win in Tampa. The Razorbacks went on a 19-0 during the middle of this game to put the Tigers away, who will now wait to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They will be either a five or six seed.

The Louisiana Tech men’s and women’s basketball teams are in the Conference USA Tournament finals today playing for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The men’s squad scored just 42 points but still beat North Texas 42-36 yesterday. They will play a tired UAB team tonight in the championship game. The Blazers beat Middle Tennessee in three overtimes yesterday. The title game is tonight at 7:30.

The Lady Techsters will face Charlotte at 4:30 today in their first Conference USA finals appearance. The Lady Techsters rallied from 13 points down to defeat Middle Tennessee 80-72. La Tech has won a season-high six straight games.

The Nicholls Colonels won the Southland Conference regular-season title, but they were bounced last night in the semi-finals of the league’s conference tournament. Nicholls was just six of 20 from three-point territory and shot 36-percent from the field in a 71-64 loss to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.

The Islanders will face Southeastern Louisiana in tonight’s conference tournament championship game. The Lions dribbled past U-N-O 74 to 65 as Joe Kasperzyk came off the bench to score 19 points.

Grambling’s season ended yesterday with a 73-54 loss to Texas Southern.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as they were stung by the Charlotte Hornets 142 to 120. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum did not play, but Zion Williamson watched from the team’s bench.

Baseball. LSU beat Bethune Cookman eight to seven, Louisiana Tech trounced Houston Baptist 22 to 2. ULM outlasted Nicholls 10 to 8 in ten innings and Houston and the Cajuns were suspended at five a piece in the eighth inning yesterday.