Texas and Oklahoma are expected to inform the Big 12 today they are leaving and will not renew the contractual agreement that binds conference members until 2025. This is the first official step in the Longhorns and Sooners anticipated move to the SEC…
cut 14 (09) “….makes sense”
That’s 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello who says money is behind what would be a huge shakeup in college athletics. Starting in 2024, SEC schools are expected to receive about 68-million dollars a year when their new TV deal goes into effect. Big 12 schools received about 35-million dollars from their TV deal this year.

The Saints are reportedly signing veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s played for the Jets the last two seasons and intercepted three passes in 25 games. His biggest strength is as a slot defender.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. Kevin Durant was held to ten points and there are rumors he may join France’s team next time around.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm is also out of the Olympic golf tournament.

The U-S women’s gymnastics team has advanced to the finals, but a shaky performance had them finishing behind Russia in the qualifying round.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta. The Phillies are four games back of the Mets for first place in the N-L East.

The Saints will reportedly not have star-wide receiver Michael Thomas for the start of the season, because he’s recovering from undergoing ankle surgery last month. The NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas’ absence will make it difficult for both Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston who are trying to replace Drew as the starting quarterback…
cut 10 (11) “…wide receiver”

And it looks like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC will really happen. There are multiple reports that say the Longhorns and Sooners will inform the Big 12 on Monday they are leaving that conference, which will allow them to begin official discussions with the SEC. Insiders say a move to the SEC would not happen until after their Grant of Rights expires in 2025 so they don’t have to pay a 70-million dollar plus exit fee.

The U-L Lafayette football team is picked to win the Sun Belt West after winning ten games last year. But Coach Billy Napier says this is a new season and he has a different team on his hands…
cut 20 (19) “….rookie group”
Napier says his team is fully healthy heading into the start preseason camp.

Alabama is once again picked to win the SEC West. That’s according to the SEC preseason media poll. Texas A-and-M is picked to finish second, LSU third. Over in the SEC East. Georgia is the preseason favorite, followed by Florida and Kentucky.

Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and kicker Cade York are the lone LSU Tigers on the preseason all-SEC first team.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener…
cut 9 (09) “…do the surgery”
Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games.

The SEC Media preseason poll was released today and LSU is predicted to finish third in the SEC West. Alabama is the favorite to win the West, Texas A-and-M is expected to finish second. Georgia is the preseason favorite in the East.

And Chip Brown of 24-7 sports is reporting Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC and will inform the Big 12 of their decision on Monday. Brown reports the Longhorns and Sooners plan to stay in the Big 12 until 2025 when their league’s grant of rights expires.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…
Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen.”
The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. The Colonels are coming off a spring season where they went four and three. Coach Tim Rebowe believes his team has learned from that experience
Cut 17 (13) …guys know.”
McNeese has been picked to finish fourth, while Northwestern State is projected to finish fifth in the six-team conference.

The NFL is warning teams they will have to forfeit a game if they can’t play because of a COVID outbreak involving unvaccinated players. And if there is no game, players on both teams will not get paid. Former LSU Tiger and Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette tweeted Thursday afternoon, Vaccine I can’t do it….That tweet was deleted a short time later.

Louisiana Tech will have a good battle for starting quarterback when the Bulldogs begin preseason camp. Aaron Allen and Luke Anthony took most of the snaps last season, but Anthony suffered a major leg injury in the final regular-season game. Coach Skip Holtz says Anthony had another surgery in June, which is when he went out and signed Austin Kendall…
Cut 18 (21)”…experience.”

A day after news broke that Texas and Oklahoma were looking at joining the SEC, the Big 12 held a videoconference yesterday involving athletic directors and university presidents, but Texas and Oklahoma did not participate. The Big 12 says any school that withdraws from the league has to give at least 18 months’ notice and pay a huge exit fee, an estimated 76-million dollars apiece according to ESPN.

ULM football coach Terry Bowden made his first appearance at Sun Belt Media Days. Bowden understands he has a big job in front of him after the Warhawks went winless in 2020…
Cut 19 (25) “..another job.”

The Pelicans have made it official, announcing Willie Green as their new head coach after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns. He’ll have an introductory press conference on Tuesday.

The NFL has reportedly told teams that if a game can not be rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with an outbreak will have to forfeit the game. The NFL got every game in last year, despite a vaccine not being available for players.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban says his football team is close to a 90-percent vaccination rate and he’s hopeful his unvaccinated players will get the shot. Saban says there are two factors to consider before a player gets vaccinated…
cut 18 (21) “….a team”
Saban is showing no signs of slowing down as he’ll turn 70 years old this season.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…
Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen”
The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. McNeese has been picked to finish fourth and Northwestern State fifth in the six-team conference.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic stadium is now the Caesars Superdome as a result of a new 20-year naming rights deal worth an estimated 138-million dollars. The Saints say that money will go towards Dome renovations.

LSU sophomore wide receiver was named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list on Thursday. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the best receiver in college football.  The New Iberia, LA native caught 45 receptions for 735-yards and five touchdowns during his true freshman season in 2020.

Name, Image, and Likeness has been a focal point at SEC Media Days and reports say that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is closing in on one million dollars worth of endorsements.  Alabama coach Nick Saban says he’s not sure how NIL will impact the locker room.

Cut 17

the Houston Chronicle’s report that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining the S-E-C. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would not confirm or deny the report.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference for the 2021 football season.  The Lions received eight first-place votes and 48 total points to garner the top spot in the poll.  Nicholls follows closely in second with four first-place votes and 43 points.  The Lions also led the way with 16 total selections on the preseason all-conference teams, including senior quarterback and reigning Walter Payton award winner, Cole Kelley.

Frank Wilson, and the McNeese State Cowboys look to right the ship and return to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2015. Defensive end Isaiah Chambers returns after finishing fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award and leading the league in sacks (7.5) and TFL (14.0).  McNeese is led on offense by quarterback Cody Orgeron and they will play LSU this fall.

Former Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden who is the father of current ULM Coach Terry Bowden has disclosed he has a terminal medical condition. The 91-year-old says he’s prepared for what is to come and is at peace.

S-E-C Media Days in Birmingham received a charge of energy with the Houston Chronicle’s report that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining the S-E-C. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would not confirm or deny the report. Texas and Oklahoma officials are also not saying anything. Texas A-and-M athletics director Ross Bjork says they want to be the only SEC program in Texas.

Vaccinations, N-I-L, and college football playoff expansion have been big topics at S-E-C Media Days. Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach supports a proposed 12-team playoff and supports even more teams than that…
cut 19 (15) “….look forward to it”
SEC Media Days wrap up today.

State lawmakers held a veto session to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender individuals from playing on girls’ sports teams in Louisiana if they are biological males. But the House failed to execute the override as they came up two votes short of the supermajority needed in the lower chamber. Governor Edwards has said the bill is in search of a problem that does not exist and it could cost the state major sporting events…
cut 15 (12) “…conventions”
The L-H-S-A-A says its policies would prevent a transgender individual from participating on a girls sports team.

Former Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden who is the father of current ULM Coach Terry Bowden has disclosed he has a terminal medical condition. The 91-year-old says he’s prepared for what is to come.

The Houston Chronicle Reports Texas and Oklahoma have reportedly reached out to the Southeastern Conference about leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. The newspaper says an announcement could come within a couple of weeks. Texas A-and-M athletic director Ross Bjork told Sports Illustrated they want to be the only school from Texas in the SEC.

Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus has been at LSU for quite some time and is adjusting to new O-line coach Brad Davis after playing under James Cregg for the past few seasons. Deculus thinks coach Davis is a great fit in Baton Rouge
Cut 19 (15) “…great fit for us.”

Now that the NBA season is over, expect an announcement soon from the Pelicans on their new head coach. It’s expected to be Pheonix Suns’ assistant Willie Green.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender girls from competing on female sports teams will stand as the Louisiana House fell two votes short today of overriding the veto. In his veto message, Edwards called the bill discriminatory. But during debate on the House floor, Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel disagrees
Cut 13 (11) “…what is true”
Supporters of the transgender sports ban say this bill will help create a fair playing field for biological girls. But New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the bill would result in transgender boys on a girls team and leading to privacy-violating tests of girls…
Cut 14 (12) “…biological girl”

LSU all-American cornerback Derek Stingley enters the season as the one of top players in all of college football.  After winning a national title in 2019 LSU is coming off a disappointing 5-5 season in 2020.  Stingley says he’s ready for a bounce-back season.

Cut 18

Stingley will wear the coveted number seven jersey for the Tigers, given to the most impactful player on the team each year.

The Advocate newspaper reports that more than 90-percent of the LSU football team is vaccinated, which is one of the highest rates in the SEC. When Coach Ed Orgeron was asked at SEC Media Days, he didn’t give an exact number but said most of the guys were vaccinated for COVID.

The NBA season is officially over after the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix suns 105-98 in game six to win the NBA title.  Former Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday wins his first NBA title, he scored 12 points and added 11 assists last night.

Now that the NBA season is over. Expect the Pelicans to introduce Pheonix Suns’ assistant Willie Green as the next head coach in New Orleans.

The SWAC released its preseason poll and Southern is picked to finish second in the west, Grambling third. Alcorn State is the favorite to win the division. Alabama A-and-M is picked to win the East.

According to the league’s coaches, the Ragin Cajuns are the favorite to win the Sun Belt West. U-L-M is picked to finish last. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State are the co-favorites in the East.

Former LSU track star Sha’Carri Richardson collaborated with Kanye West in a new Beats commercial that debuted during game six of the NBA finals.  Richardson qualified for the Olympics but was suspended from competition after testing positive for marijuana during a drug screening.

The Advocate newspaper reports that more than 90-percent of the LSU football team is vaccinated, which is one of the highest rates in the SEC. When Coach Ed Orgeron was asked at SEC Media Days, he didn’t give an exact number but said most of the guys were vaccinated for COVID.

LSU all-American cornerback Derek Stingley enters the season as one of the top players in all of college football. He’ll wear the coveted number seven jersey this season, which usually goes to the team’s best playmaker. Stingley says he’s excited to wear the number.
Cut 17 (12) …leave a mark.”

According to the league’s coaches, the Ragin Cajuns are the favorite to win the Sun Belt West. U-L-M is picked to finish last. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State are the co-favorites in the East.

The SWAC released its preseason poll and Southern is picked to finish second in the west, Grambling third. Alcorn State is the favorite to win the division. Alabama A-and-M is picked to win the East.

The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA champions for the first time in 50 years as they defeated the Suns to 105 to 98 to win the NBA Finals four games to two. Milwaukee showed you can be a small market team and win an NBA title with a dominant player in the paint. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points last night. Also, former Pelican Jrue Holiday reportedly earns a one-million-dollar bonus for helping the Bucks win a title.

Now that the NBA season is over. Expect the Pelicans to introduce Pheonix Suns’ assistant Willie Green as the next head coach in New Orleans.

Linebacker Kwon Alexander visited with the Saints yesterday, an indication that Alexander may return to the Black and Gold after tearing his Achilles tendon in the Saints’ Christmas Day victory over the Vikings. The Saints have 11.5 million dollars in cap space and Alexander would give New Orleans a veteran linebacker who produced in seven games with the Saints last season.