LSU’s Matt House, is tasked with giving the Tigers back their teeth on defense. Talent has never been a question in Baton Rouge, but execution was poor and development slow during the final days of the Orgeron Era. Brian Kelly says House has all the skills needed to reverse that trend.

Cut 21 (17) “…that line quickly.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans have an opportunity to strengthen their grip on a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament with back-to-back games against the Spurs on Saturday and the Lakers on Sunday. Thursday night the Pels won for the third time in four games, beating the Bulls 126-109, moving back into ninth place in the Western Conference standings. San Antonio sits at 11 and Los Angeles is in the 10^th position with nine games remaining in the regular season.

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In other basketball news, former LSU assistant Kevin Nickleberry has landed on his feet, joining the staff at Georgetown under Patrick Ewing. And Kim Mulkey has signed another prized recruit, with four-star wing Janae Kent out of Illinois joining the 2023 class.

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Pitching and defense need to come together for LSU’s baseball team as they begin a three-game series at 8th-ranked Florida tonight. The Tigers have committed 37 errors in 21 games this season and have allowed 27 unearned runs. LSU’s pitching staff has no clear cut starters and several tired relievers, so it could be a long weekend in Gainesville for Jay Johnson.

Cut 22 (14) “…there right now.”

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Other key college baseball series this weekend include: Louisiana Tech hosting Florida International, Grambling making a visit to rival Southern, Northwestern State takes on UNO, Tulane welcomes Dayton while South Alabama makes the trip to Lafayette to face the Ragin Cajuns, and Southeastern battles Nicholls.

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The NCAA men’s tournament field will be whittled down to eight after tonight’s action. Last night, Arkansas upset top-seeded Gonzaga, Houston beat Arizona, Duke topped Texas Tech, and Villanova defeated Michigan to advance. Tonight, tournament darling St. Peter’s takes on Purdue, Kansas faces Providence, Carolina and UCLA duel in a battle of blue bloods, and Iowa State takes on Miami.

Brian Kelly’s first spring practice at LSU was all about the details. Throughout the 90-minute workout, Kelly took notes and moved from station to station, checking everything to see if it met his exacting standards. His Tigers will practice with tempo and intention, with very little time to waste.

Cut 21 (18) “…been really good.”

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On the basketball court, the Tigers are losing a pair of key contributors to last season’s team. Guards Brandon Murray and Xavier Pinson have both entered the transfer portal according to multiple reports. Pinson averaged 10 points and five assists in 28 games, and Murray, a former four-star recruit, posted 10 points and three rebounds per game.

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Key college baseball series this weekend include: Louisiana Tech hosting Florida International, Grambling visits Southern, Northwestern State takes on UNO, Tulane welcomes Dayton, South Alabama travels to Lafayette to face the Ragin Cajuns, and Southeastern battles Nicholls.

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After a tough extra-inning loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night, the 21st ranked LSU Tigers are at 8th ranked Florida tonight to begin a three-game series. LSU is 15 and 6. Though they’ve lost three of their last four, senior reliever Trent Vietmeier says the Tigers are close to playing their best baseball.

Cut 17 (14) “…this weekend.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans are now winners of three of their last four after taking down the Chicago Bulls, 126-109 in the Smoothie King Center. The Pels closed the game with a season-high 40 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. Devonte Graham scored a season-best 30 points, including five three-pointers, and Jonas Valanciunas held it down inside with 16 points and 19 rebounds. New Orleans moved back into ninth in the West with the victory.

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Arkansas returns to the NCAA’s Elite 8 for the second straight year after shocking top-seeded Gonzaga last night. Houston beat Arizona, Duke topped Texas Tech, and Villanova got past Michigan to advance as well.

LSU began spring football practice yesterday and the Tigers are nearly in full health. But junior wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was in a walking boot. Coach Brian Kelly says the star pass-catcher from New Iberia needed a second surgery on his right ankle that he hurt against Kentucky last season.

Bad news for former LSU linebacker Damone Clark. He will likely miss the upcoming season after an MRI at the NFL combine showed he had a herniated disk. So Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery. The two-year starter at LSU was considered one of the top linebackers in this year’s NFL draft.

Former Saints Quarterback Trevor Siemian has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Siemian started four games for the black and Gold last season but went 0-4 in those starts.

Devonte Graham scored a season-high 30 points last night and the Pelicans dribbled past the Chicago Bulls 126 to 109. Larry Nance Junior played for the first time for New Orleans and had nine points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Nance has missed the last six weeks after surgery on his knee.

After a tough extra-inning loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night, the 21st ranked LSU Tigers are at 8th ranked Florida tonight to begin a three-game series. In the loss to the Bulldogs, starting pitcher Will Hellmers gave up four runs in one inning, Eric Reyzelman walked three hitters without getting an out and Ty Floyd was also wild and suffered the loss. Senior relief pitcher Trent Vietmeier expects the pitching staff to bounce back…
cut 16 (17) “…next weekend”
LSU is 15 and 6, but they’ve lost three of their last four.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech has won eight of its last nine and they host F-I-U, who is 2-1 in Conference USA play.

The Ragin Cajuns host South Alabama. The Jaguars are 15-and-4 and undefeated in the Sun Belt. ULM hosts Georgia State.

Louisiana Tech completed the sweep of its home-and-home series with LSU, beating the Tigers 7-6 in 12 innings on Tuesday night. Taylor Young drew a walk with the bases loaded in the top of the 12^th to bring in the winning run. Young was two-for-four on the night with a pair of walks, one RBI, and one run scored, and Adarius Myers drove in two with a first-inning triple. Kyle Crigger racked up eight of the Bulldogs’ 20 strikeouts in four innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. Ty Floyd took the loss for the Tigers who have dropped three of four heading into this weekend’s series at Florida. Tech is back home as they welcome Florida International in Conference USA play.

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The New Orleans Pelicans return to action tonight in the first game of a three-game homestand, facing off against the Chicago Bulls and still sitting a half-game behind the Lakers for ninth in the Western Conference standings. The Pels did receive some good news yesterday when it was announced that Larry Nance Jr. is listed as probable to play against Chicago. Nance has been out of action with a knee injury he sustained prior to being traded to New Orleans as part of the CJ McCollum deal. Still no word on Zion Williamson.

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A pair of LSU coaches met with the media yesterday…Since his hiring in late November, football coach Brian Kelly has been steadily making his imprint on the program. With spring practice set to begin today, Kelly likes what he’s seen during the transition.

Cut 16 (15) “…day-to-day basis.”

Kelly made it clear that no player has a guarantee of a spot or playing time.

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Matt McMahon was officially handed the reins to the LSU men’s basketball program on Wednesday. The highly sought-after former head coach at Murray State takes over the Tigers after collecting more than 150 wins over the past seven seasons. At a time when others might have run from the challenge, McMahon is excited to lead this new era.

Cut 19 (13) “…basketball court.”

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Louisiana Tech baseball completed a regular-season sweep of the LSU Tigers by outlasting the Bayou Bengals seven to six in 12 innings last night in a game that lasted over five hours. A Taylor Young walk with the bases loaded drove in the winning run.

Nicholls scratched out a run in the ninth inning to beat the Ragin Cajuns six to five. ULM slammed Stephen F Austin 13 to six as the Warhawks scored eight runs in the first inning. Mason Holt drove in four runs.

Matt McMahon was introduced as the Tigers’ new basketball coach yesterday. The 43-year-old on the type of players he’s looking for…
cut 20 (19) “….all encompassing program”

It’s the first day of spring football practice for LSU and the competition for starting quarterback officially gets underway between Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels and veteran Myles Brennan. It appeared the sixth-year senior Brennan would be the starter in 2022, but Daniels was added to the roster earlier this month. First-year coach Brian Kelly says no player is guaranteed playing time, so every person in the program has to be ready to compete…
cut 17 (18) “….the place for you”

Larry Nance Junior is finally ready to compete for the Pelicans. He’s been recovering from knee surgery in February and has yet to play for New Orleans since he was traded to the Pels in a deal with Portland. He’s expected to be active today when New Orleans hosts the Bulls.

Football season is back…almost. Today LSU head coach Brian Kelly met with the media, giving his assessment of what he’s seen from the team leading up to tomorrow’s first spring practice.

Cut 23 (15) “…day basis.”

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LSU and Louisiana Tech will play the second game of their home-and-home series tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Tech knocked off the Tigers last month in Ruston, and would certainly like to complete the season sweep. Coach Lane Burroughs brings a veteran lineup to Baton Rouge and credits that experience for the Bulldogs’ solid start.

Cut 19 (18) “…right trajectory.”

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Matt McMahon was formally introduced as LSU’s new head men’s basketball coach and he wasted no time in saying why he’s excited to be the new top Tiger.

Cut 22 (17) “…state of Louisiana.”

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The internet has been buzzing since Zion Williamson posted a three-second clip of him dunking on social media. Today, Zion was at practice with the rest of the New Orleans Pelicans, working with assistant coach Corey Brewer in one-on-one drills. Asked after practice if Williamson could play this season, Coach Willie Green says he understands the enthusiasm from fans, but patience is still needed.

Cut 21 (18) “…that he does.”

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After a disappointing start to SEC play, where they dropped two of three to Texas A-and-M, the LSU Tigers are 15-5 and have dipped to 21st in the DI Baseball Rankings. Defense has been a big issue for LSU, with fielders committing 35 errors so far. Coach Jay Johnson says he’s keeping things in perspective as the team works to get better.

Cut 16 (20) “…going to get.”

Tonight they’ll face off with Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are 14-6 and topped the Tigers 11-6 exactly one month ago and are 7-1 in their last eight games. Game time is at 6:00 pm.

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Southeastern is in New Orleans for the second game of its series with Tulane. The Lions lost to the Wave at home on March 1^st, and have gone 5-9 since. Tulane is 13-7-1 this season.

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History was made in Kansas City last night as Loyola University in New Orleans defeated Talladega College, 71-56 to claim the NAIA men’s basketball championship, the first title for the Wolfpack since 1945. Loyola, the tournament’s top overall seed finished the season 37-1 and winners of their last 21 in a row, including four over Talladega. Myles Burns led the way with 19 points and 17 rebounds.

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Former LSU standout Leonard Fournette has decided to run it back in Tampa after agreeing to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Buccaneers. Fournette ran for more than 800 yards with eight touchdowns and caught 69 passes for 454 yards and two more TDs in 2021, the most productive season of his career.

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Saints tackle Terron Armstead is moving on after nine seasons in New Orleans. Armstead announced on Instagram that he is signing with the Miami Dolphins on a five-year deal worth $87.5 million, with more than $43 million in guaranteed earnings. Armstead earned three consecutive Pro Bowl bids from 2018-2020 and was named All-Pro in 2018.

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The Saints have lost starting left tackle Terron Armstead to the Dolphins. Armstead has signed a five-year contract with Miami that will pay him nearly 88-million dollars, including 43-million in fully guaranteed money. The Saints drafted Armstead in 2013 and he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020 and was an All-Pro selection in 2018.

Former LSU Tiger running back Leonard Fournette has re-signed with the Buccaneers for three years, 21-million dollars. Fournette also visited with the Patriots. The 27-year-old rushed for 821 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also had 454 receiving yards and two TDs.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon has received a seven-year deal that will pay him about three million dollars a year. McMahon will also reportedly get an extra season if the program is hit with a multi-year postseason ban or multiple scholarship reductions for at least three years. The school allegedly committed recruiting violations under former head coach Will Wade.

Louisiana Tech baseball heads down to Baton Rouge today to take on the LSU Tigers. Tech beat the Bayou Bengals 11 to six in February and Coach Lane Burroughs understands how big this game is for the Bulldogs’ postseason aspirations…
cut 18 (17) “….get to Omaha”
Also today, the Cajuns are at Nicholls, Tulane hosts Southeastern Louisiana and ULM hosts Stephen F Austin.

Congratulations to Loyola-New Orleans as they won the NAIA men’s basketball championship by beating Talladega 71-56. The Wolf Pack went 37 and 1 and it’s the school’s second national title and first since 1945.

And Zion Williamson posted a video of himself on his I-G account throwing down a ferocious dunk. This comes after a report that said Williamson will not play this season because of a foot injury.

Athletic Director Scott Woodward has named Matt McMahon as LSU’s new head men’s basketball coach. McMahon agreed to a seven-year, $20.3 million contract on Tuesday and was in Baton Rouge last night to watch LSU’s women at the P-MAC. In his previous seven seasons with Murray State, McMahon won four Ohio Valley Conference titles and made three NCAA tournament appearances. His deal also includes a provision that would add a year to his contract depending on the sanctions LSU receives from the NCAA due to the Will Wade recruiting scandal.

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One player that McMahon will not get to welcome to Baton Rouge is five-star center Yohan Traore. The center from Arizona originally committed to LSU on January 30 and is ranked as one of the top 20 recruits in the nation. With his decomittment, LSU has lost its entire 2022 recruiting class in just over eight days.

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A pair of players from state universities picked up honors as UNO’s Amani Larry and Southeastern’s Adam Guth were named Southland Conference hitter and pitcher of the week, the league announced on Monday. Larry helped the Privateers take 2-of-3 from Oklahoma this past weekend with seven hits in 16 at-bats and nine RBI. Guth earned his first career victory, pitching five innings to lead the Lions past then-No. 1-ranked Ole Miss, allowing one run and three hits.

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The Saints have reunited with Jameis Winston, signing the quarterback to a two-year, $28-million contract on Monday. Winston’s deal comes at a bargain, which according to WWL-TV Saints reporter Ralph Malbrough, allows the team to turn its attention to other areas of concern on the roster.

Cut 18 (16) “…be aggressive.”

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Loyola University in New Orleans is playing for its first national championship in any sport since 1945 tonight in the NAIA men’s basketball title game. The Wolfpack, the tournament’s top overall seed will play Talladega College at 7pm in Kansas City. Loyola, 36-1 so far, topped the Tornadoes twice during the regular season in conference play and once again in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament.

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The New Orleans Pelicans came up just short in their effort to finish their three-game road trip undefeated, falling to the Charlotte Hornets, 103-106 last night. Jonas Valanciunas posted 24 points and 18 boards, and CJ McCollum added 27 more, but the Pels were outscored 28-19 in the fourth quarter.

The magic had to end sometime, though LSU fans hoped it wouldn’t be this soon as the women’s basketball team were beaten by Ohio State, 64-79 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Khayla Pointer scored 32 points in her final game but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 20-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. LSU ends the season 26-6 after winning just nine games a season ago. Coach Kim Mulkey says this season, despite how it ended, was a tremendous success.

Cut 21 (13) “…just built it.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans came up just short in their effort to finish their three-game road trip undefeated, falling to the Charlotte Hornets, 103-106 last night. Jonas Valanciunas posted 24 points and 18 boards, and CJ McCollum added 27 more, but the Pels were outscored 28-19 in the fourth quarter.

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Louisiana Tech will have big shoes to fill with the departure of Eric Konkol. The third-winningest coach in Bulldogs history is moving on to Tulsa to lead the Golden Hurricanes.

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Athletic Director Scott Woodward has named Matt McMahon as LSU’s new head men’s basketball coach. McMahon agreed to a seven-year, $20.3 million contract on Tuesday and was in Baton Rouge last night to watch LSU’s women at the P-MAC. In his previous seven seasons with Murray State, McMahon won four Ohio Valley Conference titles and made three NCAA tournament appearances. John Wright, sports editor at the Murray Ledger, says there’s a lot to like about McMahon.

Cut 13 (10) “…I believe.”

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After missing out on targets like Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson, the Saints have reunited with Jameis Winston, agreeing to a two-year, $28-million contract with the quarterback. WWL-TV Saints reporter Ralph Malbrough likes the deal.

Cut 16 (11) “…other solution.”

Malbrough says with Winston’s deal done, the Saints can now fill other holes on the roster.

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