At the College World Series, North Carolina State just keeps on winning. The Wolfpack won the Ruston Regional, knocked off top-seeded Arkansas in the super regionals, and then last night defeated the defending national champs. Terrell Tatum’s fifth-inning home run was the only run as the Wolfpack defeated Jack Leiter and the Vanderbilt Commodores one to nothing

Vandy is one loss away from elimination. Commodores coach Tim Corbin is a rumored candidate to be the next head coach at LSU. But LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau, says it will be difficult to get Corbin out of Nashville…
CUT 18 (16) “…situation there”
If Woodward wants to speak with Arizona Coach Jay Johnson, he’s available. Stanford eliminated the Wildcats yesterday with a 14-to-5 victory.

Catholic High in Baton Rouge is forfeiting the football titles the Bears won in 2017 and 2020 and the runner-up trophies they received in 2018 and 2019 as a result of an LHSAA investigation. The school says the alleged violations occurred in 2017 and WAFB-TV reports the LHSAA investigation focused on alleged improper recruiting of players by the school.

The LSU baseball program is mourning the death of Keith Hilliard. He’s the dad of senior LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard. The 53-year-old Keith Hilliard died in a tubing accident on the Amite River. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard..
cut 14 (07) “….unforgiving river”
Ard extended his thoughts and prayers to the Hillard family.

Former LSU women’s basketball star Sylvia Fowles will go after her fourth Olympic Gold Medal this summer. She’s one of 12 women named to the U-S Women’s Basketball Team. Fowles is 35-years-old, but the team also features 40-year-old Sue Bird.

The search for LSU’s next head baseball coach continues as Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco has removed his name as a possible candidate and signed a four-year extension with Ole Miss. LSU beat reporter with the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says Bianco interviewed for the LSU job last week, but could not wait around for an offer.
Cut 16 (11) “…Ole Miss.”
All three of them are busy coaching their teams in Omaha. Former LSU Coach Paul Mainieri told a radio show in Virginia that he talked to Virginia Coach Brian O’ Connor about the LSU job, but O’ Connor does not want it.

And the LSU baseball program is mourning the death of Keith Hilliard. He’s the dad of senior LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard. The 53-year-old Keith Hilliard died in a tubing accident on the Amite River in Livingston Parish over the Father’s Day weekend.

Monroe Police continue to investigate Friday night’s fatal shooting of former Richwood High starting quarterback Michael Sherman. After learning of Sherman’s death Football Coach Marcus Yanez held a team meeting, with players, coaches, students, and the community. But he says less than an hour after that meeting two more of his former players were shot in a drive-by shooting…
Cut 10 (10) “…doing ok”
Sherman had just graduated last month. Police say he was involved in a argument with two women when was fatally shot.

Catholic High in Baton Rouge confirms they are forfeiting the football titles the Bears won in 2017 and 2020 and the runner-up trophies they received in 2018 and 2019 as a result of an LHSAA investigation. The school says the alleged violations occurred in 2017 and WAFB-TV reports the LHSAA investigation focused on alleged improper recruiting of players by the school.

You can scratch Ole Miss Coach Mike Bianco’s name off for consideration as the LSU Tigers next baseball coach. Bianco released a statement last night saying Ole Miss is home for him and his family. The 54-year-old has been the Rebels head coach for the last 21 years and reportedly interviewed for the LSU job last week. But Bianco has received a four-year contract extension with the Rebels.

Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network reports LSU athletic director Scott Woodward is interested in talking with three coaches who have teams at the College World Series, Tennessee’s Tony Vitello, Arizona’s Jay Johnson, and Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin.

At the College World Series last night, Mississippi State pitcher Will Bednar struck out a career-high 15 as the Bulldogs beat Texas two to one. Virginia blanked Tennessee six to nothing. Today, Stanford will face Arizona in an elimination game and North Carolina State takes on Vanderbilt in a winner’s bracket contest.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been appointed as NASCAR’s first Growth and Engagement Advisor. That means he’ll advise NASCAR on how they can grow their fan base. Kamara became a fan of the sport last year after NASCAR banned Confederate flags from its racetracks.

Former Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger and now a columnist for The Athletic writes that the New Orleans Pelicans are a candidate to relocate in the next decade. The Pelicans lease with the Smoothie King Center expires in 2024, raising questions about the franchise’s long-term future in the Big Easy.

In the NBA playoffs…the upstart Atlanta Hawks eliminated the 76ers last night beating Philadelphia 103 to 96 in Game Seven of their Eastern Conference semi-final series. Former LSU Tiger Ben Simmons had just five points. The Suns won game one of the Western Conference finals 120 to 114, even though Chris Paul did not play for Phoenix after testing positive for COVID.

Saints Coach Sean Payton got married last night to Skylene Montgomery in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico after a 20-month engagement. The two met at a Saints-Panthers game when Montgomery was working as a nurse in Charlotte, North Carolina. She’s a former pageant queen. The two got engaged in November of 2019.

The conference commissioners wrapped up a two-day meeting in Chicago where they discussed a proposal to expand the college football playoff from four teams to 12. The Pac-12 would like to see Power Five conference champions receive an automatic bid. Discussions on ironing out a format will continue next week in Dallas.

The Los Angeles Clippers are heading to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Clippers rallied back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Utah Jazz to 131 to 119 to win the series four games to two. The 76ers-Hawks series is heading to a Game seven after Philadelphia won last night 104-99.

LSU baseball recruiting coordinator Nolan Cain is taking on a similar position at Texas A-and-M. Cain is a former Tiger pitcher who also coached third base and provided instruction for the team’s catchers and outfielders. Cain has been the Tigers recruiting coordinator since 2016 and three of the last four recruiting classes have been ranked in the top five.

The College World Series in Omaha gets underway today. At 1 PM, North Carolina State takes on Stanford and at 6 PM tonight, Vanderbilt will face Arizona. Vandy goes in as the betting favorite as they are the defending champs, having won the last national championship in college baseball.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has become the first American swimmer in program history to qualify for the U-S Olympic team after he placed fourth in the 100-meter free final at the Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha. Curry is a native of Atlanta and currently holds the school record in the 100-meter free.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is getting married again today according to NOLA-dot-com. Payton proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Skylene Montgomery, in November 2019 during a private party at the Longway Tavern in New Orleans. The marriage was reportedly set for March, but today is the big day for the happy couple, as they will tie the knot in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Montgomery was Miss West Virginia in 2008.

In 2023, the college football playoff could be expanded from four to 12 teams. So what will happen to the Sugar Bowl? CEO Jeff Hundley expects their annual bowl game will be a playoff site…
cut 17 (16) “…really matters”
Conference commissioners met in Chicago today to discuss playoff expansion.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the legislation increasing the cost of annual recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses. The costs for the licenses will start to go up in July 2022. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says he had to bring this legislation because the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was running out of money and fees had not been raised in decades.
Cut 13 (09) “…user pay”
LDWF officials say two-thirds of recreational sportsmen will only see their yearly costs go up about ten dollars, and Bacala says with that increase will come more consolidated licenses….
cut 15 (07)( “…one package”

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team as he placed fourth in the 100-meter free final at the Olympic Swimming Trial. Curry is the first swimmer in program history to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team.

Four-star shooting guard Justice Williams committed to the LSU Tigers as the team’s second commitment in the 2022 class.  The 6’3 Philadelphia native is the number three shooting guard in the class.

LSu junior pitcher Landon Marceaux and freshman right fielder Dylan Crews have been named All-Americans by Baseball America and by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.  Marceaux finished the season with a 2.54 ERA and 116 strikeouts.  Crews batted .362 with 18 homers.

Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs has agreed to a two-year contract extension that would keep him in Ruston through 2026.  Burroughs led the Bulldogs to 42 victories this past season, their first divisional championship since 1992 and Tech hosted a regional for the first time in program history.

Conference commissioners are meeting in Chicago to discuss a proposed expansion of the college football playoff from four to 12 teams, possibly as early as 2023.  Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says   hosting a big-time playoff game every year could increase fan interest and competitiveness of the Sugar Bowl.

Cut 18 (14) “started”

LSU football’s Derek Stingley Jr, Elias Ricks, and Cade York have been named to the Walter Camp preseason All-America team.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team as he placed fourth in the 100 meter free final with a time of 48.19.  Curry is the first swimmer in program history to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team.

Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs has agreed to a two-year contract extension that would keep him in Ruston through 2026. No word yet if he’s also receiving an increase in pay. Burroughs led the Bulldogs to 42 victories this past season, their first divisional championship since 1992 and Tech hosted a regional for the first time in program history.

Louisiana Tech third baseman Hunter Wells was named a Baseball America First Team All-American after finishing second in the nation in hits with 101.

LSU junior pitcher Landon Marceaux and freshman right fielder Dylan Crews have received All-American recognition. Both players made the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association third team.

Former LSU star Alex Bregman has been placed on the ten-game injured list with a quad strain. The Astros still clobbered the Chicago White Sox 10 to two yesterday.

Conference commissioners are meeting in Chicago to discuss a proposed expansion of the college football playoff from four to 12 teams, possibly as early as 2023. This has caused some to wonder whether this would negatively impact the importance of bowl games. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while there are some concerns, he’s excited about what this could mean for college football.
Cut 16 (17) “…go forward.”
During the meetings in Chicago, there’s talk about scrapping the divisions, because winning a conference championship gets you into the 12-team playoff.

LSU men’s basketball has received a commitment from four-star prospect Justice Williams. He’s a six-foot-three shooting guard from Florida and he’s ranked as the 33rd best prospect for the Class of 2022 according to 24-7 sports.

In high school baseball, Mangham Coach Wayne Johnson has retired after 42 seasons. He won 880 games during his career.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says the mutual decision to part ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy after only one season was due to philosophical differences in how to move forward with the young team. But Griffin praised Van Gundy in a press conference after the news broke.
Cut 16 (19) “…coach.”
A report in the Athletic shines more light on why Van Gundy is dismissed. Apparently, some of Zion Williamson’s family members found Van Gundy was too rigid and demanding. The report also says Zion’s family is concerned about the dysfunction within the franchise and they would like for him to play for another team.

Louisiana Tech has announced a contract extension for baseball coach Lane Burroughs that will keep him with the Bulldogs through the 2026 season. Tech just had its best season in program history, winning 42 games, a Conference USA Western Division title and they hosted a Regional.

The search for a new LSU baseball coach remains quiet. No new developments today. LSU junior pitcher Landon Marceaux and freshman right fielder Dylan Crews have received All-American recognition.

Louisiana Tech third baseman Hunter Wells was named a Baseball America First Team All-American after finishing second in the nation in hits with 101.

And in football…A trio of LSU players has been named to the Walter Camp Preseason All-American Team. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and kicker Cade York are first-team selections, while sophomore cornerback Eli Ricks made the second team.

And in the Athlon Sports’ preseason F-C-S Top 25, Southeastern Louisiana is ranked 15th and Nicholls is 24th.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says the mutual decision to part ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy after only one season was due to philosophical differences in how to move forward with the young team. The Pelicans ended Van Gundy’s only season 31-41 good for only 11^th in the Western Conference, one spot shy of making the playoff play-in tournament.

Griffin made some puzzling comments during the press conference…

Cut 17 (17) “development”

Former Louisiana Tech women’s basketball star and coach Teresa Weatherspoon emerged as a potential head-coaching candidate.  Pels assistant Fred Vinson and Bucks’ assistant Charles Lee are also reportedly in the running for the job.

LSU’s longtime Director of Athletic Training, Jack Marucci has received a promotion as he’ll now serve as director of Performance Innovation at the school. The school says Marucci will use his expertise in sports science to develop new ways for all of LSU’s student-athletes to prosper in competition. Marucci spent the last 25 years leading LSU’s athletic training staff.

LSU softball’s Taylor Pleasants earned freshman of the year honors in the state of Louisiana and coach Beth Torina captured her second state coach of the year award.  Pleasants batted .314 with 11 homeruns and 47 RBI’s this past season.

Louisiana Tech third baseman Hunter Wells has been named a Baseball America first-team All-American.  Wells was second in the nation this season with 101 hits while batting .385 with 14 homers.  He is the third Bulldog to earn All-America honors this season and the ninth in program history.

The Pelicans and head coach Stan Van Gundy have parted ways after just one season that did not yield a playoff appearance. New Orleans went 31 and 41 and the 61-year-old Van Gundy turned out not to be a fit with a roster that features several players in their early 20s.

Former Louisiana Tech women’s basketball star and coach Teresa Weatherspoon emerged quickly based on media reports as a potential head-coaching candidate. Pelicans Executive Vice President of basketball operations, David Griffin, says that rumor was likely the result of Weatherspoon being named summer league coach…
cut 18 (22) “….itself”
Pels assistant Fred Vinson and Bucks’ assistant Charles Lee are also reportedly in the running for the job.

The NFL has announced new COVID protocols that will result in fans being able to attend training camp. The Saints have not made an announcement regarding fans at training camp, but that could be coming soon.

Also, players who are not fully vaccinated will have to test every day for the coronavirus during training camp. Daily testing is not required for vaccinated players. Also, players not vaccinated will have to wear masks at the club facility and during travel and once they get to the team hotel they have to stay there and can not eat at restaurants. The NFL is not mandating vaccines, but these protocols that the players association agreed to are designed to encourage players to get vaccinated.

LSU’s longtime Director of Athletic Training, Jack Marucci has received a promotion as he’ll now serve as director of Performance Innovation at the school. The school says Marucci will use his expertise in sports science to develop new ways for all of LSU’s student-athletes to prosper in competition. Marucci spent the last 25 years leading LSU’s athletic training staff.