It’s day two of the NFL Draft. In yesterday’s first round the Saints added depth to the offensive line and receiving corps; moving up to select Ohio State wideout Chris Olave and then grabbing Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning. Adding weapons on the outside was a priority coming into the draft, and the Saints are glad to put another Buckeye opposite Michael Thomas.

Cut 16 (13) “…going.”

New Orleans has three picks remaining. One in today’s second round and then one each in the fifth and sixth.

—

A big weekend of college baseball is ahead as we enter the final weeks of the regular season. LSU hosts 16^th-ranked Georgia in a very important three-game series. McNeese looks for its third straight Southland Conference series win on the road against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, while rivals Southern and Grambling battle in the SWAC. UL-Monroe is at Little Rock, UNO visits Nicholls, the Cajuns travel to North Carolina to face Appalachian State, and Southeastern takes on Northwestern State.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans had their season come to a disappointing end, with a Game Six loss to top-seeded Phoenix Thursday night. However, it was a very successful campaign as the team reached the playoffs for the first time in four years, and did so without the services of former number one pick Zion Williamson. Today the team held its exit interviews and Williamson, who is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, was asked about his future.

Cut 22 (08) “…it fast enough.”

Speculation about his relationship with his teammates and the franchise has been swirling for months. Zion says it was difficult watching from the sidelines all season, but he sees something special happening in New Orleans and wants to be a part of it.

Cut 23 (12) “…those guys.

Next up for New Orleans, the NBA’s draft lottery on May 17. The Pelicans own the Lakers’ pick this season and should add another elite young player to the roster through the draft.

—

Two of the Saints’ biggest needs heading into the NFL draft were at wide receiver and offensive tackle and they addressed both areas in the first round. New Orleans traded up to take receiver Chris Olave with the 11th pick and with the 19th overall pick, the Saints selected Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Penning is known for having a nasty side…

Cut 17 (17) “…get ready to compete.”

Penning is 6-foot-7, 325 pounds, and squats 625 pounds. According to Pro Football Focus, he received a 99.9 run block grade last season. The Saints have just three picks left in the draft. One in today’s second round and then one in the fifth and sixth.

—

LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr won’t be going far from home, as he was taken third overall by the Houston Texans.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans led by 10 at the half but ultimately fell to the Phoenix Suns, 115-109, losing their opening-round playoff series four games to two. Former Hornet Chris Paul had a historic performance, going 14 of 14 from the field and finishing with 33 points and eight assists. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 21 points and 11 assists in the loss. It was a tough conclusion to a season that took the Pels from a 1-12 start to pushing the NBA’s top team nearly to the limit. Herb Jones gave his thoughts on the journey.

Cut 18 (18) “…did this year.”

The Pelicans will hold their season exit interviews this afternoon.

—

LSU basketball has signed four-star prospect Jalen Reed from Jackson, Mississippi. Reed is a six-ten combo forward and ranked as the seventh-best power forward in the nation according to ON-3.

—

Two of the Saints’ biggest needs heading into the NFL draft were at wide receiver and offensive tackle and they addressed both areas in the first round. New Orleans traded up to take receiver Chris Olave with the 11th pick. The former Ohio State standout joins former Buckeye Michael Thomas in the wide receiver room
Cut 16 (13) “…going.”
With the 19th overall pick, the Saints selected Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Penning is 6-foot-7, 325 pounds, and squats 625 pounds. According to Pro Football Focus, he received a 99.9 run block grade last season. The Saints have just three picks left in the draft. One in the second round and then one in the fifth and sixth.

The Pelicans’ late season surge came to an end last night as they were eliminated from the NBA playoffs with a 115 to 109 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game Six. Former Hornet Chris Paul was magnificent as he was 14 of 14 from the field and finished with 33 points, despite the defensive efforts from undrafted rookie Jose Alvardo. After the game, New Orleans head coach Willie Green teared up as he congratulated the Suns coaches and players. Alvardo on the influence the first-year coach had on the Pels…
cut 20 (17) “…..the whole time”

New LSU basketball coach Matt McMahon has signed four-star prospect Jalen Reed from Jackson, Mississippi. Reed is a six-ten combo forward and ranked as the seventh-best power forward in the nation according to ON-3.

The New Orleans Saints have the 16th and 19th picks in the first round of tonight’s NFL Draft, and general manager Mickey Loomis would love to grab a couple of starters, but that depends on how the round plays out. He says the draft is a constant balancing act of trying to find the right player in the right spot.

Cut 18 (20) “…risk/reward.”

—

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley is a strong candidate to be taken in the top 10. His coach at Dunham High School in Baton Rouge, Neil Weiner, says he’s been hearing from teams for years looking for inside info on the budding star.

Cut 10 (08) “…would reach out.”

—

The New Orleans Pelicans face elimination tonight when they host the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their playoff series. One storyline to watch is the health of Brandon Ingram. Ingram injured two fingers on his right hand in the second half of the Game 5 loss and in the fourth quarter shot 0-for-4 from the floor while making just 1-of-3 free throw attempts, finishing with a series-low 22 points. He says he’ll be good to go with the season on the line.

Cut 19 (15) _“…by next game.”

This afternoon the Suns announced that All-Star guard Devin Booker may be available for Game Six. Tip-off is at 6:30 pm.

—

Both LSU and Tulane are headed to the NCAA women’s golf regionals. The Tigers won the SEC championship with the wave claiming the title in the AAC. LSU travels to Stanford, where it will be the third seed behind the Cardinal and USC. Tulane travels to Stillwater, Oklahoma where they will play as the 11^th seed.

The New Orleans Pelicans face elimination tonight when they host the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their playoff series. Turnovers killed the Pelicans in Game 5, as their 15 giveaways led to 23 points for the Suns. Phoenix had scored just over 10 points per game off of turnovers over the first four games of the series. Coach Willie Green says taking care of the basketball has to be a priority.

Cut 20 (17) “…to be better.”

Game 6 tips off at the Smoothie King Center at 6:30 pm.

—

The SEC champion LSU women’s golf team is headed to the Stanford regional for the NCAA championships. The Tigers are the number three seed behind the hosting Cardinal and USC. Last season, LSU finished ninth, missing team match play by just one stroke.

—

The New Orleans Saints have the 16th and 19th picks in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, and general manager Mickey Loomis says there are definite targets with those picks. However, he added that with the draft there are no guarantees that things will go according to plan.

Cut 17 (12) “…it’s never foolproof.”

The draft begins at 7 pm.                                              —

Reports indicate that former Saints head coach Sean Payton is nearing a deal to join Fox as an NFL studio analyst. According to the New York Post would appear on both “Fox’s NFL Kickoff” and “Fox NFL Sunday.”

—

Louisiana Tech dropped a heartbreaker at Little Rock Wednesday night, 8-7. The Bulldogs gave up seven runs in the fifth inning, rallied to tie the score but came up short. They’ll stay on the road to take on Old Dominion in a three-game set this weekend.

—

Draft day has arrived and the Saints have two first-round picks, one at 16 and the other at 19. The Saints made a trade with Philadelphia earlier this month to get two first-round picks. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis…
cut 16 (15) “….you have the draft”
Offensive tackle and wide receiver are positions of need for the Saints.

Former LSU star cornerback Derek Stingley Junior is expected to hear his name in the first round. Seattle could take Stingley with the ninth pick and Minnesota is also reportedly interested in the Baton Rouge product. The Vikings have the 12th pick.

The Pelicans face elimination tonight when they host the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their playoff series. One storyline to watch is the health of Brandon Ingram. Ingram injured two fingers on his right hand in the second half of Game Five and in the fourth quarter scored one point. He says he’ll be good to go with the season on the line.
Cut 19 (15) _“…by next game.”
And Suns Star Devin Booker is reportedly getting better after injuring his hamstring in game two. An ESPN report says Booker could return to the floor tonight. Tip-off is at 6:30.

In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech gave up seven runs in the fifth inning and lost to Little Rock eight to seven. Despite the defeat, Steele Netterville hit his 11th home run and drove in five runs on the night.

After their 15-point loss to the Suns last night, the Pelicans are on the brink of elimination from the playoffs, trailing 3 games to 2 in the best-of-seven series. Brandon Ingram had his worst game of the postseason, scoring 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting, and injured his right hand in the second half. But, he says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.

Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.”

Game 6 tips off at the Smoothie King Center tomorrow night at 6:30 pm.

—

NCAA President and former LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert announced that he will be stepping down after 12 tumultuous years on the job. He will remain in his role until a new president is in place or until June of 2023.

—

Former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley could be a top ten pick in tomorrow’s NFL Draft, despite only playing ten games over the last two seasons. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field…

Cut 17 (16) “…NFL season”

—

LSU baseball lost to UNO for the first time since 2017, falling 8-4 to the Privateers in New Orleans. The Tigers will look to rebound with a three-game set against 16^th-ranked Georgia at home starting on Friday. In other scores, UL-Monroe topped McNeese, 8-7, Southern Miss routed Southeastern 9-4, and Northwestern State beat Grambling 8-3.

The New Orleans Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. Now down three games to two, the Pelicans face elimination in Game 6. Brandon Ingram had a tough shooting night, finishing with a series-low 22 points, but says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.

Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.”

Game 6 tips off at the Smoothie King Center Thursday night at 6:30 pm.

—

NCAA President and former LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert announced that he will be stepping down after 12 tumultuous years on the job. He will remain in his role until a new president is in place or until June of 2023.

—

The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow and for the first time in a while, there won’t be a lot of LSU Tigers taken early. One player who should hear his name called on day one is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. While his LSU career was cut short by injury, draft expert Mike Detillier says Stingley still has everything needed to be a star at the next level.

Cut 16 (18) “…in 2019.”

—

LSU baseball lost to UNO for the first time since 2017, falling 8-4 to the Privateers in New Orleans. The Tigers will look to rebound with a three-game set against 16^th-ranked Georgia at home starting on Friday. In other scores, UL-Monroe topped McNeese, 8-7, and Southern Miss routed Southeastern 9-4 for its 15^th straight win. Tonight, Louisiana Tech hits the road to take on Little Rock.

The Pelicans are on the brink of elimination after falling behind early last night and never recovering, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points and had five turnovers…
Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.”
The Pelicans will look to force a game seven when the two teams meet tomorrow night in New Orleans. Tip time is at 6:30.

NCAA president Mark Emmert is stepping down after a 12-year run as the leader of the governing board of college athletics.

Last night in New Orleans, the UNO baseball team upset 22nd ranked LSU nine to four. It’s the largest margin of victory for the Privateers over the Tigers since 1986. Ty Floyd took the loss, while sophomore right-hander Beau Blanchard from New Iberia struck out six over 7.2 innings for the win.

Also last night, third-ranked Southern Miss defeated Southeastern Louisiana nine to four as the Golden Eagles won their 15th straight game.

Northwestern State scored four runs in the sixth inning and defeated Grambling eight to three. ULM held on to beat McNeese eight to seven. Carson Jones drove in a career-high six runs.

We are on the eve of the NFL draft. Former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley could be a top ten pick, despite only playing ten games over the last two seasons. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field…
cut 17 (16) “…NFL season”

The stakes continue to get higher for the New Orleans Pelicans with tonight’s game five versus the Phoenix Suns. History says the winner of game five goes on to win the series 85 percent of the time, and a loss tonight would also mean the Pels would have to win back-to-back games against the Suns, something that hasn’t happened in this series so far, and happened only four times to Phoenix all season long.

Pelicans forward Herb Jones was assessed a flagrant foul Tuesday afternoon for pushing Chris Paul during game four in what has been a physical and emotional series. The rookie has been tasked with harassing Paul defensively and seemed to frustrate the future Hall of Famer. Pels guard CJ McCollum says Jones is the right man for the job.

Cut 17 (19) “…the length.”

Game time is 9 pm.

—

LSU baseball looks for its fifth consecutive win and a season sweep of its series with UNO tonight at Privateer Park. The Tigers are 27-12 overall this season, and sit third in the SEC West standings at 10-8. It hasn’t been a smooth ride to this point, but LSU is still in position to make a late push in the conference standings. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has battled all year, and likes how they’ve handled the ups and downs.

Cut 19 (18) “…what’s next.”

You can catch the game starting at 6:30 pm on ESPN-plus.

—

In other action around the state, Southeastern will try to end fourth-ranked Southern Mississippi’s school record-tying 14-game win streak in Hammond tonight. UL-Monroe visits McNeese looking for a split in their season series, and Tulane is on the road to face South Alabama.