The Milwaukee Bucks evened up the NBA Finals last night at two games apiece with an entertaining 109- to 103 victory over the Suns. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday had 13 points, seven assists, and three steals. One of those steals occurred with 32 seconds left. Chris Paul was the one who gave the ball up. C-P-3 had five turnovers and just ten points. Game five is Saturday in Phoenix.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has hired Marc Wanaka as his volunteer coach. Wanaka has spent the last six seasons at Arizona with Johnson and he’ll assist with the offense.

The Sun Belt announces Commissioner Keith Gill has signed a contract extension and will remain the top decision-maker of the league through June 30, 2026. Gill has been leading the Sun Belt since March 2019. He’s the first black Commissioner in F-B-S history and is also serving on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee.

The Manning Passing Academy makes its first return to the Nicholls State campus today as over one thousand high school quarterbacks and receivers will participate at the nation’s premier football camp. Nicholls athletic director Jonathan Terrell says the South Louisiana Economic Council estimates the M-P-A injects as much as 4.5 million dollars into the local economy…
cut 11 (12) “….through us”
LSU Quarterbacks Max Johnson and Myles Brennan will serve as camp counselors, along with U-L Lafayette’s Levi Lewis, McNeese’s Cody Orgeron and Nicholls Lindsey Scott, plus dozens of other college QBS from across the country.

Former Saints tight end Ben Watson will serve as a studio analyst this college football season for the SEC Network.

If the Saints were interested in signing veteran cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, they probably are not anymore. The former Seahawk and 49er is expected to make his first court appearance today after an alleged domestic violence incident and hit-and-run.

We are just 52 days away from the start of LSU’s 2021 football season as they will take UCLA in the Rose Bowl to open the season.  The Tigers return five starters from last year’s offensive line but will have to adjust to a new coach a Brad Davis replaces James Cregg as LSU’s offensive line coach.  Offensive Lineman Austin Deculus says he’s excited about coach Davis.

Cut (23) “very beneficial”

Deculus will represent LSU at SEC media days next week along with Derek Stingley Jr.

Game four of the NBA Finals is tonight as the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks will face off.  Phoenix has a 2-1 series lead.

The LSU baseball team lost pitchers Landon Marceaux and Jaden Hill to the MLB draft but were able to retain every starting position player as well as pitchers Ma’khail Hilliard and Devin Fontenot.  AJ Labas was not selected in the draft and could possibly return.  New LSU recruiting coordinator Dan Fitzgerald says the current roster really doesn’t have any holes.

Fitzgerald (09) “the mound”

LSU will add Southeastern Louisiana left-hander Trey Shaffer to the rotation.  He struck out 59 batters in just 40 innings of work this past season for the Lions.

A couple of Ragin Cajuns were drafted yesterday. Pitcher Conor Angel was selected in the 15th round by the Rays while catcher Drake Osborn went in the 19th round to the New York Mets.

Louisiana Tech center fielder Parker Bates was drafted in the 9^th round by the Kansas City Royals.

The Saints announce they will begin training camp practices on Thursday July 29th. There will be seven practices open to the public starting on July 30th at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Fans wishing to attend can register at new-orleans-saints-dot-com. Tickets are free.

Will the Superdome be filled to capacity when New Orleans hosts Green Bay in the season opener? Health officials are concerned about the rising number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations as a result of the Delta variant. The city’s health director says they need to see what happens with this more dangerous strain.

SEC Media Days are next week in Birmingham. Coach Ed Orgeron is scheduled to speak on Monday. Orgeron says star cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and veteran offensive tackle Austin Deculus will also represent LSU on that day.

Game 4 of the NBA Finals is tonight. Phoenix has a two games to one lead over Milwaukee.

___________________________________________

No LSU players were selected on the final day of the Major League Baseball Draft and a bunch of players announced they are coming back to play for the Tigers next season, including veteran pitchers Devin Fontenot and Ma’Khail Hilliard. Fontenot may get the opportunity to start next season.

Also returning are position players Gavin Dugas, Giovanni DiGiacomo and Drew Bianco. The Tigers have also added a transfer pitcher from Southeastern Louisiana. Left-hander Trey Shaffer had an ERA near five last season, but struck out 59 in 40 innings.

A couple of Ragin Cajuns were drafted yesterday. Pitcher Conor Angel was selected in the 15th round by the Rays while catcher Drake Osborn went in the 19th round to the New York Mets.

For the eighth straight year the American League defeated the National League in the M-L-B All-Star game. The A-L won five to two. Former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman did not pitch in his first All-Star game experience.

No LSU players were taken during the third and final day of the Major League Baseball Draft. So that means just two Tigers were selected during the 20 round draft, pitchers Jaden Hill and Landon Marceaux, who are expected to sign professionally. Closer Devin Fontenot, left fielder Gavin Dugas and starting pitchers A-J Labas and Ma’Khail Hilliard could have been drafted but were not. Fontenot, Dugas and Hilliard have all announced they are returning.

And Southeastern Louisiana left-hander Trey Shaffer announces he’s transferring to LSU. He had 4.95 ERA last season for the Lions.

Louisiana Tech All-American centerfielder Parker Bates was drafted in the ninth round by the Kansas City Royals. The Tyler, Texas native led the Conference USA in on-base percentage this past season.

The Ragin Cajuns lost two pitchers in the draft as Spencer Arrighetti and Connor Cooke were taken in the sixth and tenth rounds respectively. Righetti was selected by the Astros while the Blue Jays picked Cooke.

There’s no guarantee that Saints will be at full capacity this season. New Orleans Health Director Doctor Jennifer Avegno expressed concern today about the Delta variant and the increasing number of COVId cases and hospitalizations across Louisiana. 63-percent of Orleans Parish residents are fully vaccinated, but that percentage is much lower statewide. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we need to concentrate on reversing the surge as soon as possible, and 94-percent of the COVID cases since May, are among those unvaccinated.

SEC Media Days are next week. Coach Ed Orgeron told ESPN Baton Rouge this morning that star cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and starting right tackle Austin Deculus will represent LSU.

Brandon Chambers has been named assistant to the head coach for the LSU men’s basketball program. He’s spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Texas Southern, before that he was at the University of Nevada for three seasons.

The Pelicans have reportedly zeroed in on their next head coach. Phoenix Suns lead assistant Willie Green is said to be a strong frontrunner to become the franchise’s eighth head coach. Green is a 12-year NBA veteran who was a role player for five different teams, including the New Orleans Hornets during the 2010 to 2011 season.

On Day Two of the Major League Baseball draft, two LSU pitchers were selected early in the day. Jaden Hill went to the Colorado Rockies in the second round, while the Tigers’ Friday night starter this past season, Landon Marceaux was a third-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels.

LSU also saw four of its recruits drafted, pitchers Ben Kudrna and Brock Slevidge and catchers Carter Jensen and Ian Moller. Meanwhile, LSU pitchers Devin Fontenot and Ma’Khail Hilliard say they are returning to play for new head coach Jay Johnson. Rounds 11 to 20 of the draft are today.

Tulane had three players taken in the Major League Baseball Draft. Shortstop Collin Burns and pitchers Braden Olthoff and Donovan Benoit. Burns led the Green Wave in hits, runs, doubles and stolen bases and quickly signed with the Orioles. Olthoff was drafted by the Angels, while Benoit went to the Reds.

The Ragin Cajuns had two pitchers taken. The Houston Astros selected Spencer Arighetti in the sixth round, while the Toronto Blue Jays took Connor Cooke in the tenth round. Both players are expected to sign.

The Southland Pitcher of the Year, McNeese left-hander Will Dion went in the ninth round to the Cleveland Indians, who are known for developing pitchers. Dion struck out a school-record 121 hitters last season.

And Southeastern Louisiana right-hander Will Warren went in the eighth round to the New York Yankees. Warren had a 2.57 ERA last season.

Former Nicholls and McNeese football coach Sonny Jackson has passed away. Jackson is Nicholls’s all-time winningest coach as he compiled a 39-28-and-1 record from 1981 to 1986.

Right-handed pitcher Jaden Hill became the first LSU Tiger taken in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. The Colorado Rockies selected Hill in the second round with the 44th pick. Hill continues to recover from a torn elbow ligament in his throwing arm in early April.

In the third round, the Los Angeles Angels selected right-hander Landon Marceaux with the 80th overall pick. The junior from Destrehan went seven and seven this past season at LSU with a 2.54 ERA.

Four LSU signees were also selected during the second day of the M-L-B draft, including right-handed pitcher Ben Kudrna from Overland Park, Kansas. Kudrna has a fastball that’s touched 97 miles per hour. The other signees drafted are left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge and catchers Carter Jensen and Ian Moller. But right-handed pitcher Cale Lansville who has a mid-90s fastball says he plans on pitching at LSU.

The state is remembering Edwin Edwards today. The former four-term governor died at the age of 93. He helped convince the state legislature to pour millions of dollars into the completion of the Superdome in downtown New Orleans. And he was also the governor when Tom Benson agreed to buy the Saints for 64-million dollars in 1985.

The winningest football coach in Nicholls State history. Sonny Jackson passed away over the weekend. He was 82 years old. Jackson was the head coach at Nicholls from 1981 to 1986 and went 39-28-and-1. Current head coach Tim Rebowe had 38 wins. Jackson also coached at McNeese for three seasons following his time at Nicholls.

Lafayette Christian Academy Defensive lineman Fitzgerald West has committed to LSU. He’s expected to play center in college.

The attorney for former LSU and West Monroe star Barkevious Mingo says it was premature for the Falcons to release him. Mingo was arrested last week by police in Arlington, Texas, and charged with indecency with a child, sexual contact.

Lafayette Christian Academy defensive tackle Fitzgerald West Junior has committed to LSU. He’s six-foot-two, 325-pounds. He was a Class 2A All-state defensive lineman as he helped LCA to another state championship last season. But he’s projected to play center in college.

The USA Under 19 basketball team won gold as they held off France 83-81 on Sunday at the 2021 FIBA World Cup.  LSU transfer Adam Miller scored in double figures in the championship game, pouring in 12 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.  Also, Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Lofton Jr had an impressive performance, scoring a team-high 16 points with seven rebounds.  He ended up leading the team in scoring for the entire tournament, averaging 13 points per game.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in the win column as they beat the Phoenix Suns 120-100 last night to make it a 2-1 series lead for the Suns.  Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks, pouring in an impressive 41 points and 13 rebounds.

The first round of the Major League Baseball draft is in the books and no LSU players were selected.  A pair of Tiger pitchers in Landon Marceaux and Jaden Hill could hear their names called as early as round two, with closing pitcher Devin Fontenot and outfielder Gavin Dugas awaiting their call as well.

Dustin Poirier received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Lafayette on Sunday after defeating Conor McGregor in a U-F-C 264 fight. McGregor suffered a serious leg injury and could not continue which Poirier received the victory. McGregor calls it an illegitimate win.  This is Poirier’s second win over McGregor, as he defeated McGregor back in January by TKO.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed right-hander Aaron Nola and three others on the Covid-19 list due to close contact after third baseman Alec Bohm tested positive for the virus.  Nola has a 6-5 record so far this season with a 4.53 ERA and 126 strikeouts.

Former LSU Tiger and West Monroe star Barkevious Mingo is in trouble with the law and no longer on an NFL team. The Falcons released Mingo after he was arrested in Texas on a charge of indecency with a child sexual contact. Arlington Police say the second-degree felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Mingo’s attorney calls the allegations completely baseless.

Lafayette Christian Academy defensive tackle Fitzgerald West Junior has committed to LSU. He’s six-foot-two, 325-pounds. He was a Class 2A All-state defensive lineman as he helped LCA to another state championship last season. But he’s projected to play center in college.

Dustin Poirier received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Lafayette on Sunday after defeating Conor McGregor in a U-F-C 264 fight. McGregor suffered a serious leg injury and could not continue which Poirier received the victory. McGregor calls it an illegitimate win.

LSU baseball has made it official by announcing the hirings of Jason Kelly as pitching coach and Dan Fitzgerald as recruiting coordinator. Kelly was at Arizona State last season and helped the Sun Devils reach the NCAA Tournament, despite numerous injuries to their pitching staff. Kelly was also named 2018 National Assistant Coach of the Year after helping Washington reach its first-ever College World Series. Fitzgerald has been at Dallas Baptist for the last nine seasons and he’s considered one of the top recruiters in the country.

Nicholls named Louisiana Tech associate head coach Mike Silva as its new head baseball coach today. Silva also oversaw the Bulldogs pitchers and helped Tech to its best ever season in program history this past year.

In basketball, the Ragin Cajuns leading scorer from last season, Cedric Russell, has reportedly committed to Ohio State. He averaged 17 points a game last season for U-L Lafayette.

A 14-year-old girl from Harvey won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night becoming the first person from Louisiana to win the bee. Zaila Avant-garde is also the first African American winner of the 96-year-old tournament. She spelled Murraya correctly to win…
cut 12 (10) “….applause fades”
Zaila told Good Morning America she studies 13-thousand words a day. The Jefferson Parish native also spelling is a hobby, but her true passion is basketball and she holds three Guinness World Records for dribbling multiple basketballs simultaneously.

Louisiana Tech football program has announced the signing of three transfers, including former West Virginia Quarterback Austin Kendall, who also spent three seasons at Oklahoma. Kendall was West Virginia’s primary starter in 2019 and threw for nearly two thousand yards and 12 touchdowns. Tech also signed former Vanderbilt running back Keyon Henry Brooks, who rushed for 746 yards in two seasons for the Commodores. And former Jacksonville State cornerback Jacquez Payton, who had three career interceptions for the Gamecocks

Four-star outside linebacker DeMario Tolan from Orlando, Florida has committed to the LSU Tigers. He’s the first linebacker in the Class of 2022. 24-7-sports rates Tolan as the 31st best linebacker in the nation and he also received offers from Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A-and-M.

Former LSU offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal has announced he’s heading to Kentucky. The six-foot-seven, 327-pounder said on Twitter that leaving LSU is hard, but he believes Kentucky can help mold and shape him into a better person. The former Ferriday standout missed several games because of disciplinary issues.

Former Oklahoma and most recently West Virginia quarterback Austin Kendall is transferring to Louisiana Tech. Kendall didn’t play a lot last season, but in 2019 he started in nine games and threw for nearly two thousand yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Mountaineers.

14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde from Harvey became the first person from Louisiana last night to win the Sripps National Spelling Bee. She’s also the first African-American winner in the bee’s 96-year history. Zaila says spelling is a hobby, but her true passion is basketball.

LSU baseball has announced Jason Kelly as the Tigers’ new pitching coach. Kelly was the 2018 National Assistant Coach of the Year after helping Washington reach the College World Series for the first time in school history. This past season, he helped Arizona State reach the NCAA Tournament despite numerous injuries to their main pitchers.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers is reporting Nicholls will hire Louisiana Tech associate head coach Mike Silva as the Colonels new head baseball coach. Silva has spent the last four years guiding the Bulldogs pitching staff and helped Tech post a 42-20 record this past season.

Rogers also reports former Nicholls head coach Seth Thibodeaux is joining Matt Deggs staff at U-L Lafayette. Assistants Jeremy Talbot and former major league pitcher B-J Ryan have left the Cajuns program.