The LSU men’s basketball team looks to get back to the .500 mark today when they host Mississippi State for a 7 Pm tip-off at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers are 5-and-6 in the SEC after beating Texas A-and-M on Tuesday. The Bulldogs are 5-and-5 and Iverson Molinar is State’s top scorer at 18-points a game. M-S-U also features a couple of good rebounders in six-foot-eleven Tolu Smith and six-foot-nine Garrison Brooks.

ULM looks for its fourth straight win when they host Texas State at 2 PM. The Bobcats are also hot as they’ve won four in a row and seven of their last nine.

The Ragin Cajuns take on U-T Arlington. U-L Lafayette looks for its first win in the Cajundome since January 22nd.

In Southland action, McNeese is at Northwestern State, Nicholls hosts Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi, Southeastern Louisiana takes on Houston Baptist in Hammond.

Grambling has a tough game at Texas Southern.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl 56. Leading the Cincinnati Bengals is former LSU quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, and national champion Joe Burrow. In just his second season the sophomore signal-caller has revitalized a franchise that hadn’t won a playoff game in more than 30 years. The Bengals playing for a championship is not something many expected before the season, but Burrow isn’t shocked at all.
Cut 16 (12) “…positions to be successful.”
On the other side, former West Monroe Rebel and LSU star Andrew Whitworth will be the first 40-year-old to start at left tackle in Super Bowl history. Whitworth will face the team that drafted him in 2006…
cut 27 (17) “…my life”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 5:30.

Former LSU and current Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth has been named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. Whitworth’s acceptance speech has drawn rave reviews for his humility and his call to action for the NFL and its players to keep doing more in their communities to make them better. Rick Guillot, president of the BigWhit 77 Foundation, says that’s the Andrew he’s always known…

Cut 10 (12) “…so proud of him.”

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The man in the middle of the famed Dome Patrol has finally had his name called for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Linebacker Sam Mills will join six others as part of the 2022 class, and becomes the fourth player in Saints history to earn induction into the hall. He joins Wille Roaf, Morten Andersen, and fellow Dome Patroller Rickey Jackson. Jackson made the announcement Thursday night at the NFL Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

After starting his career in the USFL, Mills joined the Saints in 1986, earning four Pro Bowl selections. He still ranks second on the team’s all-time tackles list with 894.

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CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram each scored 15 points for the New Orleans Pelicans, but it wasn’t enough as the Pels lost to the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat, 112-97; ending their four-game winning streak. The Pelicans were outscored 56-42 in the second half. They host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday in the third game of a six-game homestand.

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Pelicans executive vice-president of basketball operations, David Griffin, still has no real updates on the progress of Zion Williamson, who has missed the entire season recovering from offseason foot surgery. Griffin hopes to have imaging done on Williamson’s foot in the next week or two to provide a better answer, but no timetable has been set.

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A busy Saturday for college basketball across the state. The LSU men host Mississippi State, and Tulane has a big American conference matchup against Temple. Both Grambling and Southern are on the road. In the Southland Conference, McNeese visits Northwestern State, while Nicholls, Southeastern, and UNO are all at home.  Finally, UL-M and the UL both host Sun Belt Conference matchups.

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LSU baseball begins three days of Fall scrimmages Friday at The Box starting at 6:30 PM. The Tigers will be back at it at 1:30 pm on Saturday and again at 11:30 am Sunday. Sunday is also fan appreciation day featuring an autograph session with the team.

The 14^th-ranked LSU Tigers held off number 17 Georgia for a 73-67 win last night at the P-MAC. Alexis Morris scored a game-high 26 points to lead LSU, with Khayla Pointer adding 21 and Jailin Cherry posting 18 more. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but the Tigers outscored the Bulldogs by 17 at the free-throw line. LSU is now 20-4 on the season and sits third in the SEC standings, just a game behind Tennessee.

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There’s going to be a lot of LSU flavor at Super Bowl 56 this weekend. One of the players who should have a big impact is former Tigers receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He broke on the scene with the New York Giants before being traded to and released by the Browns. Since joining the Rams, he’s been back to his explosive self, scoring five touchdowns in 10 games including the postseason. A younger Beckham might have gloated about his return to the top, but not today’s OBJ.

Cut 18 (14) “…for this team.”

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The NFL Honors ceremony was held last night and a few LSU Tigers took home some hardware. Ja’Marr Chase was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, with teammate Joe Burrow earning Comeback Player of the Year. And the biggest honor of the night, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award went to former Tiger and current Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth. Among his many efforts, he and his wife Melissa run the BigWhit 77 Foundation. Whitworth issued a challenge to the league to do more, particularly with and for children.

Cut 21 (17) “…they ever have.”

At 40 years old, the 2x All-Pro will be the oldest starting offensive lineman in Super Bowl history.

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CJ McCollum debuted with the Pelicans last night. He scored 15 points as did Brandon Ingram, but New Orleans lost to the Heat 112-97, ending their four-game win streak. Miami outscored the Pels 56-42 in the second half.

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A former member of the famed Dome Patrol will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio as Sam Mills “The Field Mouse” has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mills will be the fourth former Saints to be inducted into the Hall. He played for the Saints for nine seasons and was named to the All-Pro team three times.

Also last night, former West Monroe and LSU star Andrew Whitworth was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his excellence on and off the field. The 40-year-old offensive tackle is the first player from the Rams to win the award.

Bengals Q-B Joe Burrow received the Comeback Player of the Year Award and Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Earlier this week Chase reflected on his first season in the NFL…
cut 17 (17) “…try to do”

The Miami Heat cooled off the Pelicans last night as New Orleans’s four-game winning streak came to a halt with a 112 to 97 defeat. Newly acquired C-J McCollum made his debut with the Pels, but the usually reliable scorer was 6-of-21 from the field with 15 points. Also Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin still doesn’t know when Zion Williamson will play this season.

In college hoops…ULM topped U-T Arlington 74-71 for its third straight win as Andre Jones had 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

The Ragin Cajuns lost in overtime as they fell to Texas State 82-73, Louisiana Tech dribbled past Charlotte 82-77 as Kenneth Lofton Junior had 18 points.

Nicholls edged Incarnate Word 69-68 as the Colonels won their fourth straight, Southeastern Louisiana outscored McNeese 91-86. Gus Okafor had 24 points. Houston Baptist knocked off Northwestern State 76-69.

The 14th ranked Lady Tigers won their 20th game last night as they held off 17th ranked Georgia 73-67. Alexis Morris with 26 points.

Guards CJ McCollum and Tony Snell will make their debuts for the Pelicans against the Heat tonight. Forward Larry Nance Jr. is undergoing knee surgery and will be out 4-6 weeks. All three should help as the Pels make a push for their first playoff berth in four years. The Pels have won 4 in a row and Coach Willie Green says the team isn’t where they want to be, but he’s proud of their progress over the last 40 games.

Cut 17 (18) “…program that’s sustainable.”

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Attorneys for Saints running back Alvin Kamara have begun their own investigation into the Las Vegas brawl that led to the Pro Bowler’s arrest last Sunday. Lawyer Drew Findling says the allegations made against Kamara don’t not match up with the player’s conduct throughout his career. Kamara was charged with suspicion of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison with a fine of $10,000.

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There’s a big women’s basketball showdown at the P-MAC tonight as the 14^th-ranked LSU Tigers host number 17 Georgia. After dropping a pair of conference games, the Tigers have bounced back with wins against Kentucky and Ole Miss. LSU won the first matchup between the two, 68-62, back on December 30. Khayla Pointer led the Tigers that night with 21 points and played all 40 minutes, and Faustine Aifuwa scored 17 with nine rebounds.

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Former SEC Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles will be honored during the game. During her career she, along with Seimone Augustus, led the Tigers to two Final Fours. She averaged 15.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks over her career.

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The shakeup on the Saints coaching staff continues as Dennis Allen relieved strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple and offensive line coach Brendan Nugent of their duties Wednesday, along with offensive analyst Jim Chaney. Dalrymple had been with the Saints since 2006. Former Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marron is expected to replace Nugent. And Allen interviewed Lions assistant Aubrey Pleasant for the defensive coordinator position. Pleasant met with the Vikings earlier this week.

New Saints Coach Dennis Allen is already making changes with his coaching staff. Allen is reportedly bringing back Doug Marrone to coach the offensive line. Marrone is a former head coach for Jacksonville and Buffalo and was Sean Payton’s first offensive coordinator in New Orleans. Marrone will replace o-line coach Brendan Nugent and Allen is also reportedly letting strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple go.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says they knew Las Vegas Police were looking to talk with running back Alvin Kamara prior to Sunday’s Pro Bowl game, but they still allowed Kamara to play. After the game, Kamara was arrested on a battery charge after he allegedly punched another person eight times at a nightclub on Las Vegas Boulevard. Saints Coach Dennis Allen says they are still gathering information.

Tonight we’ll find out if former Saints linebacker Sam Mills will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The newly acquired CJ McCollum should be on the court tonight when the Pelicans host the Miami Heat to bolster what has been one of the worst backcourts in the NBA this season. McCollum brings more than 20 points per game and adds outside shooting, but Coach Willie Green is also excited about his intangibles.
Cut 16 (13) “…so we’re excited.”
Tip time is at 6:30.

There’s a lot of college basketball taking place in the state tonight. The Ragin Cajuns host Texas State. U-L Lafayette is trying to get back to the .500 mark in Sun Belt play. ULM takes on Texas-Arlington as the Warhawks search for their third straight win.

Northwestern State hosts HBU, McNeese is at Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls hosts UIW, and Louisiana Tech is at Charlotte.

Dennis Allen is officially the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints. After interviewing several candidates, the team came back to the man it considered its top candidate from the outset. Allen believes he is the right man at the right time to continue the Saints winning tradition.

Cut 4 (12) “…New Orleans Saints.”

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A record 31 million Americans are expected to place a bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says ever since Louisiana sports wagering went live at casinos in November and now with online gaming, it’s more accessible to legally bet on the big game.

Cut 8 (11) “….pretty big numbers.”

Since last year, 45 million more Americans can legally wager on the Super Bowl.

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The LSU men’s basketball team ended its three-game slide with a 76-68 victory over Texas A&M. The Tigers led by 20 at the half but had to hold off the Aggies in the second. Tari Eason led LSU with 25 points and 12 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season. Next up for the Tigers, Mississippi State at home in the P-MAC on Saturday night.

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The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, and picks. Oleh Kosel, editor of The Bird Writes-dot-com, says the deal is a big win for the Pels.

Cut 16 (12) “…almost every game.”

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Even without Hart and Alexander-Walker, the Pels extended their winning streak to four games with a 110-97 victory of the Houston Rockets, in the first of a 6-game home stand. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 26 points, and Herb Jones had 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Pels go for their first five-game win streak since 2018 on Thursday night when they host the Miami Heat.

Dennis Allen has big shoes to fill as he succeeds Sean Payton as head coach of the Saints. If his welcome press conference is any indication, Allen is ready to step into them. David Grubb has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The LSU men’s basketball team snapped its three-game losing streak with a 76-68 win over Texas A-and-M in Reed Arena. A healthy Xavier Pinson had 11 points, two assists, and four rebounds in 23 minutes. Tari Eason came off the bench to score 25 points.

The Pelicans won their fourth straight last night beating Houston 110 to 97 as Brandon Ingram led the way with 26 points. Before the game, New Orleans pulled off a big trade with Portland as the Pels acquired combo guard CJ McCollum and forwards Larry Nance Junior and Tony Snell. New Orleans sent the Trail Blazers Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and draft compensation.

McCollum is a scorer as he’s averaged at least 20 points per game in seven consecutive seasons and he’s shot nearly 40-percent from three-point territory for his career. Oleh Kosel, the editor of The Bird Writes-dot-com, says McCollum is the player the Pels have been searching for…
cut 17 (17) “…spread the offense”
McCollum is expected to make his Pelicans debut on Thursday night against the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat.

Dennis Allen will soon be named as the 11^th head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The announcement isn’t a tremendous surprise considering Allen’s long history with the team. Host of Locked on Saints Ross Jackson, says Allen understands the culture of this team better than any other candidate the Saints spoke with, and that resonated with Mickey Loomis and the rest of the front office.

Cut 20 (24) “…into their decision.”

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Multiple sources are reporting that the New Orleans Pelicans have reached an agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers on a blockbuster trade that would send Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, and a trio of picks to Portland for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell. The Pels host the Rockets tonight.

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After getting off to the program’s best start in 20 years, the LSU men’s basketball team is stuck in a downward spiral, losing six of its last seven games, including three straight. The Tigers will try to pull out of their dive Tuesday night in College Station against Texas A&M. LSU beat the Aggies 70-64 for its last win, but coach Will Wade says the Tigers have to play a lot better than they have to get this victory.

Cut 16 (22) “…on the road.”

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The LSU women took care of business on the road last night, beating Ole Miss 68-64. Khayla Pointer posted the second triple-double of her career with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Faustine Aifuwa added 20 points and 14 rebounds. With the win, the Tigers move into a tie for third place in the SEC standings.

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Dennis Allen is expected to be named the new head coach of the Saints according to multiple reports. Allen was seen as the front runner to succeed Sean Payton, having served on Payton’s staff as defensive coordinator since 2015. So it isn’t a surprise to Locked on Saints host Ross Jackson that Allen is now the man in charge.
Cut 19 (10)_“in Dennis Allen.”
This will be Allen’s second stint as head coach as he led the Raiders from 2012 to 2014, but only won eight games.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will make his first court appearance in a Las Vegas courtroom on March 8th after his arrrest following the Pro Bowl for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. Authorities say video surveillance matches the story told by the victim who suffered an orbital fracture to his right eye after he was allegedly punched and stomped on by Kamara and his associates in a Las Vegas casino on Saturday.

The LSU men’s basketball team hopes to turn things around tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers have lost six of their last seven and facing huge deficits in the first half has been an issue. Coach Will Wade says they have to keep their opponents from going on extended runs…
cut 18 (11) “….at the end’
Tip-off is at 6 PM and the Aggies are also looking to snap a six-game losing streak.

The Pelicans begin a six-game homestand tonight when they host the Rockets. New Orleans just beat Houston by 13 points and Brandon Ingram had 33 points in that game. Ingram was named Western Conference Player of the Week yesterday.

In basketball action last night, the Lady Tigers defeated Ole Miss 68-64 as Khayla Pointer had her second triple-double of her career. Southern and Grambling men both won last night as the Jags defeated Alabama State 72-58, while Grambling upended Alabama A-and-M 58-50.