March Madness is in full effect as we build towards Selection Sunday. Louisiana Tech, the third seed in Conference USA after posting a 12-6 league record, faces seventh-seeded Marshall tonight in its opener. The Bulldogs are chasing their first NCAA bid since 1991 when they were members of the now-defunct American South.

It isn’t the Bayou Classic, but Grambling and Southern will play each other in the quarterfinals of the SWAC tournament on Thursday. Grambling won both regular-season meetings with the Jaguars.

And Northwestern State faces McNeese in the opening round of the Southland tourney, with the winner facing UNO on Thursday.

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LSU opens play in the SEC tournament Thursday afternoon against the winner of tonight’s matchup between Missouri and Mississippi. The Tigers arrived in Tampa today, and Coach Will Wade says his team will be working hard prepping for either opponent. LSU lost by 4 to Ole Miss and beat Mizzou by 20 in their only meetings this year.

Cut 21 (16) “…both teams.”

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LSU’s initial response to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations regarding the men’s basketball program didn’t shed much light on the situation. A statement released by the athletic department reads as follows…

“Per NCAA rules and procedures, LSU is unable to comment on any aspect of the ongoing case. We will continue to cooperate fully with the IARP as we work together toward a resolution.”

The Tigers have been caught in the NCAA’s crosshairs since a federal investigation into corruption in college basketball produced voice recordings of head coach Will Wade discussing alleged payments made to then-recruit Javonte Smart in 2017.

LSU could face stiff penalties if there are major violations contained in the NOA.

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Tigers women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has been named Coach of the Year by The Athletic after spearheading the largest turnaround by a first-year coach in SEC history. LSU, now 25-4 on the year, and ranked ninth in the latest AP poll, will likely host first and second-round games of the NCAA tournament. The Tigers have already recorded the most wins in a season since 2007-08 when they went to the Final Four under Van Chancellor.

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On the diamond, Northwestern State is at UL-Monroe, Tulane visits Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech welcomes Southeastern, and LSU hosts McNeese.

The LSU men’s basketball program could soon be hit with NCAA penalties for recruiting violations. Glen Guilbeau with outkick-dot-com says the clock is likely winding down on Wade’s time in Baton Rouge, despite his on-court success. Especially if athletic director Scott Woodward can mitigate the program’s punishment by cutting Wade loose.

Cut 15 (12) “…their penalties”

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Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament tonight after finishing the regular season with a 12-and-6 league record. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol on what it will take to make a long run in the league tourney.

Cut 16 (17) “…I’ve had.”

The Bulldogs will match up with Marshall today at 6 PM.

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After a four-game win streak, the New Orleans Pelicans have lost two in a row. Last night, the Pels took it on the gullet, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 111-132. The Pelicans were without Brandon Ingram, but he likely wouldn’t have made a difference against the Grizzlies buzz saw. CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 32 points and 11 assists. Memphis had three players score at least 20 points, including MVP-candidate Ja Morant, who had 24 to go along with eight boards and eight assists.

The Pels are back on the court tonight at home against the Orlando Magic to start a critical, four-game homestand.

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LSU’s Kim Mulkey has been named as a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year after leading the greatest turnaround by a first-year coach in SEC history. The Tigers have improved by leaps and bounds in Mulkey’s first season in Baton Rouge, taking their record from 9-13 to 25-5 so far this season, more than doubling their winning percentage, and giving LSU its best regular season since 2007-08 when the Tigers finished 31-6, making it all the way to the Final Four.

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They’ll try to play some college baseball today if the weather cooperates. One matchup has been postponed, as UL and UNO have moved their game from tonight in New Orleans to March 30.

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LSU may finally face penalties for recruiting violations within its men’s basketball program. David Grubb explains…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Pelicans were without Brandon Ingram last night and Memphis went on to score 44 points in the first quarter to beat New Orleans 132 to 111. The Pels are now 2-and-13 when Ingram doesn’t play. He missed last night’s game with right hamstring soreness.

1991 was the last time the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team made the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs will have to win four games over the next four days to get an automatic bid to this year’s tournament. Tech will face Marshall tonight in the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are led by six-foot-seven forward Kenneth Lofton Junior, who is averaging 16 points per game. Coach Eric Konkol says teams have tried a variety of ways to slow him down…
cut 17 (20) “….the season”
Tech and the Thundering Herd face off at 6:30.

In the Southland Tournament, McNeese meets Northwestern State at 7:30.

And at the Boys Basketball Tournament, The Calvin Cougars out of Winnfield will play in their first state championship in boys basketball since 1939 after beating Simpson 57-42 in the Class C semifinals yesterday.

Saints fans hoping for a big name under center in 2022 will just have to keep hoping after the two biggest potential prizes have been taken off the table. Earlier Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers reportedly reached agreement with Aaron Rodgers on a four-year deal worth $200 million that would make the four-time MVP the highest-paid player in NFL history. Then, this afternoon the Seahawks and Broncos came together on a trade that will send Russell Wilson to Denver for a bevy of draft picks.

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LSU has found another quarterback for its roster in Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels. Daniels threw for more than 6000 yards for the Sun Devils, and Brody Miller, who covers LSU for The Athletic, says Daniels brings explosive running talent to the position to bolster the Tigers’ talented offensive attack.

Cut 17 (21) “…in the pocket.”

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Cloudy skies are forcing the postponement of a number of college baseball games around the state. Northwestern State and UL-Monroe will have their mid-week battle pushed back for the third time with tonight’s 6 pm start moved to Wednesday in Monroe. It’s the same for LSU and McNeese, who will play tomorrow at 6:30 at The Box. Tonight’s game between Louisiana Tech and UL-Lafayette has been moved to April 6.

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The battery case against Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been continued until late April while defense attorneys await records from the prosecution relating to the incident. In February Kamara, along with three other men, was arrested for allegedly beating and stomping a man, resulting in a fractured eye socket for the victim. If found guilty, Kamara could face a sentence of one to five years in prison with a mandatory $10-thousand fine.

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In Memphis, the New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets. It won’t be easy picking up a win against MVP candidate Ja Morant and the team with the NBA’s second-best record. The Pels have been pretty successful against the Grizzlies, winning seven of 10 overall and two of their last three road meetings. New Orleans sits 10^th in the Western Conference, one game behind the Lakers in the standings.

LSU has added another piece to its offensive arsenal on the gridiron with the addition of former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels spent three seasons with the Sun Devils, passing for more than six thousand yards. LSU beat writer, Brody Miller of The Athletic, says adding Daniels just makes sense.

Cut 16 (14) “…massive upside.”

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Tigers forward Tari Eason has been named SEC sixth man of the year, as voted by the coaches. Eason led LSU with 16.9 points per game, coming off the bench in 26 of 30 contests. The sophomore was also tabbed for All-SEC First Team honors. Senior Darius Days was named to the second team, and Brandon Murray earned an All-Freshman team selection for LSU, which starts play in the conference tournament on Thursday.

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All-SEC guard Khayla Pointer is one of five finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year award. She’s averaging 19 points, 5.2 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game for LSU.

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LSU moves down and Tulane moves up in the latest DI college baseball rankings. After dropping two of three at the Shriners Classic this past weekend, the Tigers fall to 12^th in the rankings, sandwiched between Florida and Georgia Tech. The Green Wave rolls back in to the top 25 for the first time this season after a series win over defending NCAA champion Mississippi State. Tulane is 18^th, its highest ranking in six years.

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The Ragin Cajuns came up just short in their bid to become the highest-seeded team to win the Sun Belt men’s tournament, falling to Georgia State, 71-80. Jordan Brown led the eighth-seeded Cajuns with 24 points and eight rebounds. U-L finishes the season at 16-16.

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The USFL has started releasing details of the 10-game schedule for its inaugural season kicking off this spring. The New Orleans Breakers are one of eight teams playing this year and they will start the season on April 17 against the Philadelphia Stars. All games this year will be played in Birmingham, Alabama, with most teams scheduled to be back in their home markets in 2023.

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The Pelicans will try to get back on the winning side of things tonight on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans had its four-game win streak snapped Sunday in Denver. The teams have split the season series so far. The Pelicans have won 2 of their last 3 in Memphis.

The Ragin Cajuns impressive run through the Sun Belt Tournament as an eight-seed ended last night in the title game as U-L Lafayette fell to Georgia State 80-71. Jordan Brown had 24 points in a losing effort and Greg Williams Junior added 15 points. Coach Bob Marlin’s team beat top-seeded Texas State and fourth-seeded Troy to reach the championship game…
cut 20 (20) “…get home”

Nicholls State Senior Guard Ty Gordon has been named the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. The Mississippi native averages 22 points per game and ranks seventh in the nation in three-pointers made per game.

Tonight the Pelicans visit the Memphis Grizzlies.

LSU has brought in a quarterback that Coach Brian Kelly calls a playmaker with a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his feet. Jayden Daniels was a three-year starter at Arizona State who threw for over six-thousand yards and 32 touchdowns in 30 games for the Sun Devils. He also rushed for nearly 13-hundred yards and 16 touchdowns. Daniels will compete with Myles Brennan for the starting quarterback duties. The Athletic’s Brody Miller says if Brennan loses out of the starting job, he could look to transfer again…
cut 18 (18) “…on table”

After losing two of three in Houston, LSU baseball has fallen in the latest college baseball polls. The Tigers fell five sports in the D-1 baseball rankings to number 12 and dropped eight spots in the Baseball America poll to 16. The Tigers host McNeese tonight. The Cajuns visit La Tech and ULM hosts Northwestern State.

Sunday evening former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels announced he was transferring to LSU. In three years with the Sun Devils, he threw for more than six-thousand yards with 32 touchdown passes. Daniels is also a threat with his legs, rushing for nearly 13-hundred yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns. His addition gives the Tigers even more depth in a quarterback room that returns Myles Brennan and Garrett Nussmeier, and welcomes freshman Walker Howard. He is the 14^th transfer signed since the hiring of Brian Kelly.

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LSU President William Tate says no one at the university knew of any prior sexual misconduct allegations against running backs coach Frank Wilson. Former LSU associate athletic director Sharon Lewis claims Wilson exposed himself to her several years ago. The allegations are part of a federal lawsuit against the school. Tate was asked about them today.

Cut 15 (11) “…LSU officials.”

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The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

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After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2 pm.

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The LSU women dropped to ninth in the AP rankings after their loss to Kentucky in the SEC tournament. Now the Tigers will have to wait until this Sunday to find out if they maintain their position as a top-two seed when the NCAA Women’s Championship bracket is announced.

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Arch-rivals Southern and Grambling will face off in the opening round of the SWAC men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at 3 pm.

After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2pm.  The Tigers finished fifth in the SEC at 9-9 in conference play, with five of those losses by five points or less. Coach Will Wade says it was good to close the regular season with a win in the clutch.

Cut 17 (17) “…21 times.”

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LSU Baseball had a rough weekend, dropping two of three in Houston at the Shriners Classic. The Tigers bats, which had been talking loudly before the trip to Texas, scored just 11 runs in the series. After topping Oklahoma 5-4 in the opener, they were drubbed by the Longhorns 1-6 and committed five errors in a 6-9 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night to cleanse the palette before a weekend series against Bethune-Cookman.

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The Nicholls men’s basketball team won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with 92-85 win over U-N-0. Senior Ty Gordon scored a career-high 36 points and Colonels Coach Austin Claunch says Gordon gets his vote for Southland Player of the Year…

Cut 18 (10) “…special talent.”

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The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

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The Pelicans saw their four-game win streak come to an end in Denver last night with a 130-138 overtime loss to the Nuggets. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 38 points and nine assists. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic went off for 30 points in the fourth quarter and OT on his way to a 46 point, 12 rebound, 11 assist triple-double. The Pels visit Memphis on Wednesday night.

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Myles Brennan will have serious competition to be LSU’s starting quarterback next season. Former Arizona State Q-B Jayden Daniels is transferring to the Tigers after starting for three seasons with the Sun Devils. During his time at A-S-U, he threw for six-thousand yards, 32 touchdowns, and also rushed for 12-hundred yards and 16 T-Ds. Coach Brian Kelly says Daniels is a playmaker with a strong arm.

If you stayed up late last night to watch LSU baseball and the Pelicans you came away disappointed. The Tigers committed five errors in a 9-6 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night. The Cowboys dropped two out of three to Louisiana Tech, but won yesterday five to two.

The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak came to an end last night with a 138-130 overtime loss to Denver.

The Ragin Cajuns play for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament tonight as U-L Lafayette faces Georgia State in the Sun Belt title game.

The LSU men’s basketball team is the fifth seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play Thursday afternoon against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Missouri and Ole Miss. Coach Will Wade’s team beat Alabama in overtime on Saturday to finish with a 21-10 record, 9-9 in the SEC….
Cut 16 (16) “…particularly defense”

Nicholls won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with a 92-85 win over U-N-O. Colonels Coach Austin Claunch…
cut 19 (15) “…you are”
The Colonels are the number one seed in the Southland Tournament and will play on Friday in Katy, Texas, needing two wins to get an invite to the NCAA Tournament.

Sensational win for the seventh ranked LSU baseball team last night as the Tigers rallied back from a three-run deficit to beat Oklahoma five to four in eleven innings at Houston’s Minute Maid Park. Cade Doughty hit a two run homer in the eighth to tie the game at three. Doughty had an RBI double in the 10th to tie it at four and Jordan Thompson hit a walk-off homer to win it in the eleventh. The Tigers face top ranked Texas at 7 PM.

The big upset on Friday occurred in Fayetteville, as Southeastern Louisiana shocked third ranked Arkansas seven to three. S-L-U scored all of its runs in the sixth inning.

Elsewhere, UNO upended ULM eight to two, the Cajuns scored four runs in the fifth to beat Southern Miss five to three. Tommy Ray was the winning pitcher and Brian Talley earned his first save. La Tech ended a four-game losing streak by trouncing McNeese 21-5. Cole McConnell drove in five runs.
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The Pelicans continue to play terffic basketball as New Orleans silenced the Utah Jazz 124 to 90 last night for its fourth straight win. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum continue to be a dynamic duo as Ingram had 29 points and McCollum added 24. New Orleans is at Denver on Sunday night.

The LSU women’s basketball team’s stay in Nashville was a short one as the Lady Tigers were eliminated last night by a red hot Kentucky team. The Lady Cats led by 12 points after the first quarter and went on to win 78-63.

In men’s action today, LSU closes out the regular season as they host 25th ranked Alabama at 11:30 in the P-MAC. The Tigers are trying to finish with a nine and nine SEC record.

Also at 11:30, the Cajuns are looking to upset top-seeded Texas State in the Sun Belt Tournament. Louisiana Tech ends the regular season at U-A-B.

Nicholls hosts UNO, the winner is the Southland Regular season champion.