On a night LSU named the basketball court inside the PMAC after legendary coach Dale Brown, the 21st ranked Fighting Tigers defeated 16th ranked Kentucky 65-60 in front of 11-thousand fans. LSU rallied back from a nine-point deficit with 13 minutes to play thanks to good defense and rebounding. It was Coach Will Wade’s second victory over Kentucky in his five years at LSU…
cut 16 (20) “…move forward quickly”
LSU is now 1-and-1 in the SEC.

The Pelicans lost for the second straight night last night as Phoenix hit 17 three-pointers to beat the Pels 123 to 110. New Orleans has now dropped three straight overall as they failed to rally back after giving up 42 points in the first quarter.

For the first time since 1999, LSU football finishes the season with a losing record. An undermanned Fighting Tigers team lost to Kansas State 42-20 in the TaxAct Texas Bowl in Houston. LSU had only 38 scholarship players available for the game, and wide receiver Jontre Kirklin was the Tigers starting quarterback. The former quarterback at Lutcher high school tossed three touchdown passes…
cut 18 (13) “…came naturally”
Kirklin threw for 138 yards on the night, but also tossed two interceptions.

Prior to Sunday’s win over the Panthers, there was no Who-Dat chant prior to the game. Saints Coach Sean Payton says it was not intentional and simply an oversight. Defensive end Cam Jordan says he’ll take the blame and promises they’ll do a pre-game who Who Dat chant at the team’s next home game, which will come next season.

The LSU football Tigers close out the 2021 season with an appearance in the Texas Bowl tonight as they face Kansas State. LSU has about 40 scholarship players available and some of them will be playing their final game in the purple and gold, including center Liam Shanahan. He’s looking forward to finishing the season with a win, even though the roster of available players has shrunk…
cut 18 (17) “…everyone watching”
Kick-off is at 8 PM and ESPN is televising.

Ragin Cajuns running back Montrell Johnson has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal. Johnson was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year this past season.

Calvary Baptist Quarterback and Louisiana Tech signee Landry Lyddy is the Class One-A offensive player of the year after throwing 42-hundred yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown took the Tigers to the Final Four twice during his coaching career at LSU which lasted from 1972 to 1994….
Cut 15 (11) “…their lives better.”
The unveiling of the Dale Brown Courts comes on a night when 21st ranked LSU hosts 16th ranked Kentucky. The Wildcats are 11-and-2 and led by six-foot-nine forward Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEE-bway) who is averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds a game. Coach Will Wade says keeping Oscar off the glass will be a challenge…
cut 19 (15) “….total”

LSU has about 40 scholarship players available for tonight’s Texas Bowl matchup with Kansas State. The Tigers will have a skeleton crew out there because of players entering the transfer portal, opt-outs, suspensions and COVID protocols. But interim head coach Brad Davis says the goal remains to win the football game
Cut 16 (15) “…from me.”
The Wildcats are favorite by a touchdown and it’s unclear who will start at quarterback. Many are speculating it will be Jontre Kirkland who starts at Q-B as Garrett Nussmeier will not play in order to preserve his red-shirt season.

Ragin Cajuns running back Montrell Johnson has reportedly entered the transfer portal. Johnson was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year this past season after rushing for 833 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The 21st ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season by hosting 16th ranked Kentucky at 6 PM. The Wildcats lead the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 84 points a game. Tigers coach Will Wade says Kentucky is excellent in the half court…
cut 20 (16) “…in transition” (2x)
Kentucky is 11-and-2 and is led by six-foot-nine forward Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEE-bway), who is averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds a game.

The Pelicans lost to the Utah Jazz last night 115 to 104 in the Smoothie King Center as Utah hit 19 three-pointers. Brandon Ingram returned after suffering an Achilles injury had just ten points. New Orleans hosts the Phoenix Suns tonight.

LSU football closes out of the season tonight by facing Kansas State in the Texas Bowl. It’s unclear who will start at quarterback for the Bayou Bengals. On the depth chart, Garrett Nussmeier is listed as the starting QB, but he might not play tonight, because he would lose the ability to call this a red-shirt season. That means wide receiver and former Lutcher star Jontre Kirkland could line up at quarterback. Interim head coach Brad Davis says whoever starts at Q-B, they want to be consistent…
Cut 17 (15) “ …good game.”
On defense, LSU will need to figure out a way to slow down Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn, who has rushed for 12-hundred yards and averages nearly six yards a carry. Kick-off is at 8 PM.

The 21st ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season by hosting 16th ranked Kentucky at 6 PM. The Wildcats lead the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 84 points a game. Tigers coach Will Wade says Kentucky is excellent in the half court…
cut 20 (16) “…in transition”
Kentucky is 11-and-2 and is led by six-foot-nine forward Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEE-bway), who is averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds a game.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has been named ESPN’s Team of the Week for its victories Marshall and Western Kentucky to begin Conference USA play. And Cobe Williams was voted CUSA player of the week as the sophomore guard averaged 20 points in those two victories.

The Saints kept their playoff hopes alive with an 18-10 win over the struggling Panthers yesterday. The defense led the way as they sacked Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold seven times. Defensive end Cam Jordan had 3.5 sacks and cornerback C-J Gardner-Johnson had the game-sealing interception. Gardner Johnson credits the defensive line
Cut 18 (18) “ ..one on one”
If the Saints beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans is in the playoffs. Linebacker Demario Davis is glad the 17th game of the season has meaning…
Cut 11 (11) “…with it”
Kick-off is at 3:25.

The LSU Tigers have fallen five spots to number 21 in both college basketball polls after suffering their first loss of the season last week to ninth-ranked Auburn. Tomorrow night, the Tigers will host 16th ranked Kentucky and they’ll officially name the court inside the PMAC after legendary coach Dale Brown. Tip-off is at 6:00.

After winning their 13th straight game yesterday with a 75-66 win over Texas A-and-M, the Lady Tigers are up to number 13 in the A-P Poll. LSU will try to improve to 3-0 in the SEC when they host top-ranked South Carolina on Thursday.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has been named ESPN’s Team of the Week for its victories Marshall and Western Kentucky to begin Conference USA play. And Cobe Williams was voted CUSA player of the week as the sophomore guard averaged 20 points a game in the Bulldogs two victories at home. Tech is at UTEP on Thursday.

The Pelicans host Utah Jazz. Starting center Jonas Valanciunas is back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee because of COVID protocols.

The Saints are still alive for a playoff berth in the NFC after beating Carolina 18-10 yesterday. It was another dominating performance by the defense as they sacked Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold seven times. Coach Sean Payton credits the defense for keeping their playoff hopes alive…
cut 20 (15) “…takeaways”
In order for the Saints to get the last spot in the NFC playoffs, New Orleans will need to beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers would have to lose to the Rams. Both games will kick off at 3:25.

Joe Burrow and Ja”Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are champions of the AFC North after rallying to beat the Kansas City Cheifs 34-31. Chase set an NFL rookie record with 266 yards receiving.

The LSU Tigers have released their depth chart ahead of tomorrow night’s Texas Bowl matchup against Kansas State and the Bayou Bengals only have 44 scholarship players on the depth chart. Damon Clark, Neil Farrell and Tyrion Davis-Price are some of the top players who have opted out. Despite the key absences, interim head coach Brad Davis says the preparation has been good…
cut 17 (17) “….victorious”
New Head coach Brian Kelly is with the team in Houston, but will not coach the team tomorrow night. Kelly has made his offensive coordinator hire public. Mike Denbrock is leaving Cincinnati as the Bearkats offensive coordinator to be the O-C in Baton Rouge. Denbrock has coached with Kelly at Notre Dame and Grand Valley State. Kelly says Denbrock is one of the best offensive minds in the game.

The Saints playoff hopes are still alive after an 18-10 win over the Panthers. The offense produced four field goals and Taysom Hill threw a touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara. But it was the defense that won the game. New Orleans sacked Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold seven times and kept the Panthers off the scoreboard in the second half. Hill understands the defense is leading the way…
cut 19 (19) “…being scored”
So for the Saints to make the playoffs, they need to beat the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday and they need the Rams to knock off the 49ers. If that happens New Orleans gets the final playoff spot in the NFC playoffs and would play the Rams during wild card weekend.

LSU football has named Mike Denbrock as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Denbrock just helped Cincinnati go through the regular season undefeated and also coached with Brian Kelly at Notre Dame and Grand Valley State.

In basketball….the LSU Lady Tigers and the Ragin Cajuns mens’ basketball teams are off to 2-and-0 starts in league play.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball is 2-0 in Conference USA play after a come from behind win over Western Kentucky on Saturday. The Bulldogs trailed by 17 points but still won their 17th straight game in the Thomas Assembly Center by beating the Hilltoppers 74-73. Tech coach Eric Konkol…
Cut 16 (24) “…just a way”
Kenneth Lofton junior had 22 points and Tech is at UTEP on Thursday.

The Saints will not have their starting center for tomorrow’s game against Carolina. Erik McCoy has been placed on the COVID-19 restricted list, but receiver and return specialist Deonte Harris was removed from the list and is eligible to play after serving a three-game suspension.

On the injury front, receiver Tre’Quan Smith has been ruled out with a chest injury. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead practiced on a limited basis Friday and is questionable for Sunday. Mark Ingram, Ty Montgomery, Bradley Roby, Carl Granderson, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey are also listed as questionable.

LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price has opted out of the Texas Bowl and he’s also not returning for his senior season as the Baton Rouge product is entering the NFL draft. On the coaching front, LSU has reportedly hired Jamar Cain to be the Tigers new defensive line coach and run game coordinator. Cain was actually at Oklahoma the last two seasons but followed Lincoln Riley to USC.

In Ruston today, college basketball fans can ring in the new year by watching Louisiana Tech take on Western Kentucky at 1 PM in a game that will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs are 10-and-3 and coming off a 79-56 win over Marshall to tip-off Conference USA play. Western Kentucky is playing its first league game today and they are 8-and-5 overall and have victories over Ole Miss and Louisville.

The Ragin Cajuns are at Coastal Carolina. Both teams won their Sun Belt opener, while ULM is at Appalachian State. Both teams lost their conference opener.

The Pelicans begin 2022 by facing the defending NBA champs as New Orleans is in Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. Pels starting center Jonas Valanciuansas has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will miss the next five days. But New Orleans top player off the bench, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has cleared health and safety protocols.

And tonight’s the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans as Baylor faces Ole Miss in the Superdome.

The Saints are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers on this New Year’s holiday. New Orleans needs a win Sunday in the Superdome in order to keep the Black and Gold’s playoff hopes alive. But they have just one win inside the Dome this season. Cornerback P-J Williams says it’s been frustrating they have not been able to take advantage of the support they get from Who Dat Nation…
cut 16 (17) “….this week”

There will be a football game held in the Superdome on Saturday night as seventh-ranked Baylor faces eighth-ranked Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. The Rebels have been led by Quarterback Matt Corral who could be someone the Saints are looking at in next year’s draft. Kick-off is at 7:45.

The state epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department of Health has recommended that extracurricular activities at schools should stop because of the latest surge of COVID cases fueled by the Omicron variant. But Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine sent out a memo that says the LHSAA will not halt their winter sports seasons.

In college basketball, last night, Louisiana Tech and the Ragin Cajuns started conference play on the right foot. The Bulldogs beat Marshall 79-56 as the Thundering Herd shot just 29-percent from the field. Cobe Williams led the Bulldogs with 22 points.

U-L Lafayette defeated Appalachian State 71-55 as Jordan Brown had 16 points.

ULM allowed 12 three-pointers and got crushed by Coastal Carolina 94-64.

The 19th ranked LSU Lady Tigers won their 12th straight last night beating 13th ranked Georgia in Athens 68-62.

The Saints face a must-win situation on Sunday in order to make the playoffs when they host the Carolina Panthers in the final home game of the year. But the Black and Gold have won only once inside the Dome this year. Offensive tackle James Hurst can’t pinpoint why they haven’t been more successful in New Orleans…:
Cut 15 (20) “cheer about”
The game kicks off at 3:25pm.

Meanwhile it appears Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston’s recovery is moving along. He was captured on video by his rehab doctor on Thursday throwing a football for the first time since he underwent knee surgery last month.

In college hoops Louisiana Tech extends its home win streak to eight following an easy 79-56 victory over Marshall Thursday night. The game was the Conference USA opener for both teams.

UL-Lafayette had an easy time over App State in their Sun Belt Conference opener, winning 71-55 on the road.

ULM was riding a 6-game win streak going into their game last night but ended up falling hard to Coastal Carolina 94-64.

The LSU women’s basketball team improves to 13-1 following its biggest win of the year. The Tigers prevailed over No. 13 Georgia on the road to claim the 68-62 victory.

New Orleans Saints legend Sam Mills has become a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his final year of eligibility. The NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the former NFL players under consideration for Modern-Era player category honor on Thursday.