LSU baseball hosts Northwestern State in its home finale tonight ahead of a regular season-ending series with Vanderbilt. The sweep by Ole Miss last weekend has LSU in jeopardy of finishing below .500 in the SEC for the first time since 2011, which was also the last time the Tigers missed the NCAA tournament. Coach Jay Johnson says he doesn’t want the team’s disappointment to carry over into this critical week of ballgames.

Cut 17 (12) “…wants to do.”

The Tigers and Demons start play at 6:30 pm.

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In Lafayette, U-L begins its final homestand of the season with a midweek matchup with Nicholls. The Cajuns try to bounce back after being swept by Texas State, while the Colonels have lost 7 of their last 8. Surging Southern takes on UNO…The Jags have won six of seven. Tulane and Coach Travis Jewett have decided to part ways after five seasons.

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Receiver was a definite area of weakness for the Saints last season. With the return of Michael Thomas, the addition of Jarvis Landry, and the drafting of Chris Olave, New Orleans hopes to have surrounded Jameis Winston with the talent to put fear into opposing defenses. Olave says his work ethic pushes him to be the very best, and as a wideout, that starts and ends with catching the ball. Every time.

Cut 20 (11) “…on the ground.”

The Saints held Rookie Minicamp last weekend, with OTAs set to start next week.

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The New Orleans Pelicans have a 99.6 percent chance of getting a top ten selection in tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery. Because the Lakers failed to make the postseason, their pick goes back to the Pels. While the most likely scenarios have the pick falling around the eighth or ninth spots, New Orleans does have a 26 percent chance of getting a selection in the top four. And in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston takes on Miami.

After getting swept by Ole Miss, LSU baseball returns to the diamond tonight as the Tigers host Northwestern State. Several games have been canceled this week as schools in major conferences are not interested in playing teams who have low RPIs as they jockey for seeding in the NCAA Tournament. But Tigers coach Jay Johnson wants to play….
cut 16 (21) “…gonna do that”
Also tonight the Ragin Cajuns host Nicholls and Southern visits UNO. And Tulane has fired head coach Travis Jewitt. The Green Wave are 10-and-11 in the American Athletic Conference this season.

Rookie wideout Chris Olave got his first “welcome to the NFL” moments this past weekend during the Saints’ rookie mini-camp.
Cut 19 (16) _“…I’m good.”
Olave, who signed a four-year contract worth $19-million was considered one of the top route-runners in this year’s draft.

Former Saints Coach Sean Payton will reportedly work as a studio analyst for Fox this season.

The LSU Tigers have received a verbal pledge from four-star cornerback Daylen Austin out of Long Beach, California. He’s the third defensive back committed to LSU in the 2023 class.

Tonight is the NBA draft lottery and the Pelicans will likely get a top ten pick and there’s a 26-percent chance they can get a top-four pick. It’s L-A’s first-round pick and they sent it to New Orleans as part of the Anthony Davis trade.

LSU will try to bounce back from a rough, three-game sweep at the hands of Ole Miss on Tuesday in their home finale, a midweek matchup with Northwestern State. Coach Jay Johnson says the Tigers need to put the Rebels behind them if they want a chance at what’s still ahead.

Cut 22 (6) “…this weekend.

LSU travels to Nashville this weekend to close the SEC regular-season slate with three games against Vanderbilt. The Commodores have taken series on the road at Georgia and Arkansas the last two weekends. Losing the series would give LSU its first below-.500 finish in the SEC since 2011, the last time the Tigers missed the NCAA tournament.

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The NCAA softball bracket has LSU going on the road for the first time since 2014. The Tigers will be the second seed in the Tempe Regional where they will open against San Diego State this Friday. U-L is headed to the Clemson Regional and McNeese to the Evanston Regional. The Cajuns face Auburn with the Cowgirls playing Notre Dame.

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Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and NBC Sports have mutually parted ways after one season of mixed reviews for the future Hall of Famer in the broadcast booth. Amid speculation as to what Brees might do next, he took to social media, mentioning that a potential return to football is possible. Saints coach Dennis Allen didn’t appear to take Brees’ comments too seriously…

Meanwhile, Sean Payton will join the Fox broadcast team for the 2022 season. His role isn’t certain, but ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio says Payton will likely serve as a fill-in for Jimmie Johnson on Fox’s NFL Sunday studio show when Johnson is out.

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The last two days have been very good to LSU on the football recruiting front. The Tigers picked up a commitment from four-star Union Parish running back Trey Holly on Sunday.  Holly is rated as the tenth-best back in the nation and rushed for more than 55-hundred yards and scored 78 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Today, “DBU” announced Daylen Austin, a four-star cornerback out of California, made his verbal commitment. Austin is rated as the number 16 corner in the country.

For the first time in the history of a series that dates back to 1906, Ole Miss swept the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge…In a Saturday doubleheader, the Rebels picked up 5-3 and 11-1 victories before closing out the sweep with an 8-5 win on Sunday. The Tigers close the regular season at home versus Northwestern State on Tuesday before heading to Vanderbilt this weekend.

McNeese claimed the top seed in the Southland tournament, followed by Southeastern, UNO, Nicholls, and Northwestern State. U-L fell to fourth in the Sun Belt after dropping three to Texas State, and Southern pulled into a tie for first in the SWAC West with a sweep of Prairie View.

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Meanwhile, LSU softball will play on the road in a regional for the first time since 2014. LSU is the two seed in the Tempe Regional and opens play against the third-seeded San Diego State Aztecs this Friday at 7 pm.

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LSU football picked up a commitment from four-star Union Parish running back Trey Holly over the weekend.  Holly is rated as the tenth-best back in the nation and rushed for more than 55-hundred yards and scored 78 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

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Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and NBC Sports have mutually parted ways after one season of mixed reviews for the future Hall of Famer in the broadcast booth. Amid speculation as to what Brees might do next, he took to social media, mentioning that a potential return to football is possible. Saints coach Dennis Allen didn’t appear to take Brees’ comments too seriously, saying he believes they were made in jest.

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The Saints did make one new addition over the weekend as they announced the signing of former LSU star and five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry to a one-year, $3-million contract. Perhaps no one is happier about the signing of Landry than quarterback Jameis Winston. NOLA-dot-com’s Rod Walker says the Saints have given him plenty of weapons to work with.

Cut 18 (12) “…for success.”

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In the NBA, the Mavs demolished Phoenix 123-90. They advance to face Golden State in the Western Finals. The Boston Celtics knocked out the defending champion Bucks, 109-81. Boston will take on Miami for the Eastern Conference crown.

A tough weekend for the LSU baseball team as the Ole Miss Rebels swept the Tigers, dropping their RPI from 16 to 37. The disastrous weekend puts LSU on the bubble for hosting a regional. Coach Jay Johnson says staying away from the big inning was a problem against the Rebels and LSU pitching allowed eight home runs…
Cut 19 (24) _“…to throw”

The Ragin Cajuns NCAA Tournament at-large hopes took a hit as they were swept at 15th ranked Texas State. La Tech swept a series from Western Kentucky, winning yesterday 11 to 2.

The Saints made it official yesterday announcing the signing of former LSU Tiger and Lutcher Bulldog Jarvis Landry. Injuries have slowed down Landry the last two years, but NOLA-dot-com’s Rod Walker says a healthy Landry brings plenty to the table…
cut 17 (12) “…wants to do”

The New York Post reports that former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is done at NBC after one year as an analyst. But Brees said in a social media post that he’s undecided on what he wants to do. He may work for NBC, he may focus on business and philanthropy, he may train for the pickleball tour, and he may play football again. He might not be serious about the football part.

Union Parish running back Trey Holly is serious about being an LSU Tiger as he’s given a verbal pledge to Brian Kelly. Holly has a chance to become the state’s all-time leading rusher in Louisiana high school football history next season.

And a big weekend on the bayou, South Terrebonne and Vandebilt Catholic both won state titles in baseball.

Game one of LSU’s series with Ole Miss was interrupted by rain, meaning the Tigers and Rebels will essentially be playing a doubleheader today. The game was suspended with the Rebels leading 4-2 in the bottom of the third. Dylan Crews homered in the bottom of the first to give LSU a 2-0 advantage but Ma’Khail Hilliard got off to a rocky start, allowing four runs on four hits in the second. Game one resumes at 11 am with game two to start 50 minutes following the conclusion of the opener.

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McNeese routed Houston Baptist for the second straight game, beating the Huskies 16-6 in seven innings last night after a 23-5 win on Thursday. Kade Hunter homered twice, including a fifth-inning grand slam that put the Cowboys up 14-2. A win Saturday would give McNeese the Southland regular-season title. Northwestern State beat UNO, 14-11, while Southeastern and Nicholls were rained out. UL-Lafayette fell 7-5 at Texas State and Louisiana Tech pummeled Western Kentucky, 16-4.

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Another former LSU Tiger has decided to join the New Orleans Saints. Jarvis Landry confirmed via Twitter that he and the Saints have agreed on a one-year deal. Landry is a five-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins and Browns and has averaged 86 receptions and 950 yards over eight seasons. Wide receiver, a major weakness for the Saints last season, is suddenly a strength, with the expected return of Michael Thomas to form, and the additions of first-round pick Chris Olave and now Landry.

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Top-seeded McNeese State defeated two-seed Southeastern Louisiana 10-4 to win the Southland Conference softball championship. It’s the eighth title for the Cowgirls; their second in a row, and fifth since 2016. Kendall Talley drove in three and scored two to lead McNeese.

In the Sun Belt, U-L awaits the winner of Coastal Carolina and Texas State in the tournament championship this afternoon at 2:30 pm. The Ragin Cajuns advanced with a stirring 1-0 victory over TSU on Friday. Raina O’Neal’s solo shot to leadoff the eighth was the only run of the game.

Shooting guard Adam Miller becomes the latest LSU Tiger to withdraw his name from the transfer portal and remain in Baton Rouge. Miller made the announcement on social media and it was later confirmed by the university. He missed last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in mid-October but LSU says he has been “medically cleared for all basketball activities.” Miller averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 31 games as a freshman at Illinois in the 2020-21 season.

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Top-seeded McNeese State defeated two-seed Southeastern Louisiana 10-4 to win the Southland Conference softball championship. It’s the eighth title for the Cowgirls; their second in a row, and fifth since 2016. Kendall Talley drove in three and scored two to lead McNeese.

In the Sun Belt, Raina O’Neal led off the top of the eighth inning with a solo blast to right field to provide the only run in the Ragin Cajuns’ 1-0 win over Texas State. Meghan Schorman went the distance for U-L, striking out eight and surrendering just one walk to earn her 15^th win of the season. The Cajuns advance to Saturday’s championship game.

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LSU baseball starts a big three-game series with Ole Miss tonight. Outside of the action on the field is the story of the Bianco family. Drew is a utility player for the Tigers while his dad, Mike, has been the head man for the Rebels for the past 22 seasons, and played his college ball in Baton Rouge. This weekend is likely the last time father faces son, but Drew will always remember hitting a home run off the first pitch he saw against Ole Miss as a freshman in 2019.

Cut 19 (19) “…see you tomorrow.”

Game time is set for 7:30.

In other games…McNeese and Houston Baptist resume their series as do Southeastern and Nicholls. UNO and Northwestern State continue the battle for second place in Natchitoches. UL opens its road series at 15^th-ranked Texas State and Louisiana Tech welcomes Western Kentucky.

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The Saints 2022 schedule is out and the Black and Gold will open the regular season in Atlanta against the Falcons and then return home next week to host the Buccaneers. New Orleans will host Joe Burrow and the Bengals on October 16th. There’s also the trip to London on October 4th to take on the Vikings and the bye week is not until December which Ross Jackson, the host of Locked on Saints, says is a little different…
cut 18 (16) “…that London game”
The Saints also have two outdoor road games up north in December, in Cleveland on Christmas Eve and Philadelphia on New Year’s Day.

LSU baseball starts a big three-game series with Ole Miss tonight. Outside of the action on the field is the story of the Bianco family. Drew is a utility player for the Tigers while his dad, Mike, has been the head man for the Rebels for the past 22 seasons, and played his college ball in Baton Rouge. This weekend is likely the last time father faces son, but Drew will always remember hitting a home run off the first pitch he saw against Ole Miss as a freshman in 2019.
Cut 19 (19) _“…see you tomorrow.”
First pitch tonight is at 7:30. Also tonight, the Cajuns are at 15th ranked Texas State, Louisiana Tech hosts Western Kentucky. In the Southland, McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana won yesterday to remain tied for first place with two regular season games left. UNO is one game back after beating Northwestern state six to four.

Details of the Saints’ 2022 schedule are out. New Orleans opens with three straight NFC South matchups; at Atlanta in Week 1, home against Tampa in Week 2, and then on the road at Carolina before heading to London to face Minnesota. Joe Burrow and the Bengals visit New Orleans Oct. 16 and the Super Bowl champion Rams are in the dome Nov. 20. Other notable home opponents include the Raiders on Oct. 30, the Ravens on Monday Night, Nov. 7.

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College baseball series starting tonight include McNeese trying to hold on to first place in the Southland with a road doubleheader at Houston Baptist while Southeastern tries to do the same against Nicholls. UNO and Northwestern State are among four teams tied for second in the standings, and they face off in Natchitoches to jockey for position.

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A bill that would let Louisiana colleges and boosters of their athletic programs pay student-athletes as part of name, image and likeness deals continues to advance through the Louisiana legislature. The head of LSU’s NIL department Taylor Jacobs says the intent of this legislation is not to allow a booster organization to pay a student-athlete as a recruiting inducement.

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In the Southland Softball tournament, 4^th-seeded Northwestern State was eliminated after dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker to Texas A&M Corpus-Christi.  With a 1-0 lead following the top of the first, the Demons gave up three runs in the bottom of the frame. NSU scratched out another run in the third to pull within one, but the Islanders matched it again. The Demons had their final opportunity to win or tie in the seventh, but after picking up one run and having the bases loaded…they couldn’t push across another run.

Top-seeded McNeese and number two Southeastern are playing this afternoon. The winner advances to Friday’s championship game, while the loser plays tonight in an elimination game.

UL-Lafayette blew by Troy 9-1 this afternoon in the Sun Belt tournament. Outfielder Raina O’Neal had the big bat for the Cajuns. She went 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored, including a two-run home run in the third that put UL up 6-1. Taylor Roman also went yard for the Cajuns and Sam Landry gave up just one run in five innings to improve to 19-3 this season. UL will take on either South Alabama or Texas State in the winner’s bracket final Friday at 10 am.

The national rankings are all over the place when it comes to LSU, but D1-Baseball-dot-com has the Tigers projected as an 11-seed and hosting a regional in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Pitching remains the biggest question mark for the Tigers, as it has been since the start of the season. Though Ma’Khail Hilliard has delivered, LSU doesn’t have a consistent number two. Editor Kendall Rogers says there are ways to work around that.

Cut 18 (20) “…it pans out.”

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Former Tiger Kramer Robertson collected his first at-bat and RBI in the big leagues Wednesday night. Pinch-hitting in the bottom of the eighth for the Cardinals, Kramer drove Brendan Donovan home from third with a groundout as part of a 10-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

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College baseball series starting tonight include McNeese trying to hold on to first place in the Southland with a road doubleheader at Houston Baptist while Southeastern tries to do the same against Nicholls. UNO and Northwestern State are among four teams tied for second in the standings, and they face off in Natchitoches to jockey for position.

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In the Southland Softball tournament, Northwestern State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are underway. That one will be followed by top-seeded McNeese taking on two-seed Southeastern at 1:30 pm. The winner of that game advances to Friday’s championship.

UL-Lafayette topped Coastal Carolina 4-2 yesterday, and the Ragin Cajuns are currently in action against Troy in the Sun Belt tournament. Southern is still alive in the SWAC tourney, with the Jags facing Bethune-Cookman this afternoon.

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Details of the Saints’ 2022 schedule are out. New Orleans opens with three straight NFC South matchups; at Atlanta in Week 1, home against Tampa in Week 2, and then on the road for two straight weeks with games at Carolina and in London against Minnesota. Joe Burrow and the Bengals visit New Orleans Oct. 16 and the Super Bowl champion Rams are in the dome Nov. 20.