LSU has officially introduced its new defensive football coaches.  Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones joins LSU’s staff from the Minnesota Vikings, where he was the defensive backs coach.  Jones says he was eager to take the job at LSU due to Louisiana’s fertile recruiting ground.

Cut 19 (14) “coach O”

It’s National Signing Day for college football, when some of the nation’s top high school recruits will decide where they will play college ball.  LSU signed 20 new recruits in the early signing period back in December, and have 4 spots available after 4 star Defensive end Saivion Jones out of St. James signed with the Tigers early this morning, giving LSU 21 signees so far.

The New Orleans Saints have hired former Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys assistant Kris Richard to coach the secondary.  Richard is 42 years old.

The LSU men’s basketball team will face the tenth-ranked Crimson Tide on the road tonight.  LSU forward Darius Days sprained his ankle against Texas Tech on Saturday and will be absent against Alabama.  Head coach Will Wade says that Shareef O’Neal is one player who could get extra minutes.

Cut 17 (10) “win”

The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns tonight at 8:30 in the Smoothie King Center.  The Pels could be without center Steven Adams, who is listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to left calf tightness.  The Pelicans are 7-12 on the season while the Suns come into tonight’s game with an 11-8 record.

The Tulane men’s basketball team will be on the road tonight as they take on Wichita State.  The Green Wave are 7-5 on the year and coming off of an 81-64 win over the Temple Owls on Sunday.  Wichita State currently has a 9-4 record so far this season.

New LSU defensive coordinator Daronte Jones says the Tigers will still run a four-three defense as they have the personnel to run a four-man front instead of a three. Jones says his ultimate goal is to put the players in the best position to succeed…
cut 20 (11) “…play fast”
Jones says he wants LSU’s defense to play as violent as possible.

The Saints are reportedly hiring former Seattle defensive coordinator Kris Richard as their defensive backs coach. Richard was the Seahawks D-Bs coach when the Legion of Boom formed in Seattle and helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl twice. Richard most recently served as the Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.

The LSU men’s basketball team visits 10th ranked Alabama tonight and they will not have the services of Darius Days, their fourth-leading scorer and leading rebounder. The six-foot-seven junior from Florida is out with a sprained ankle. Coach Will Wade says six-foot-ten sophomore forward Shareef O’ Neal is one player who could get extra minutes…
cut 17 (10) “….win” (2x)
O’ Neal is averaging three points and five rebounds a game. Tip time is at 6 PM.

The Pelicans conclude a five-game homestand tonight by hosting the Phoenix Suns at 8:30. New Orleans started the homestand by beating Washington and Milwaukee, but since then they’ve dropped games to Houston and Sacramento. The Suns arrive in New Orleans on a three-game winning streak. They are led by former Hornet Chris Paul, who is averaging 17 points and nine assists a game.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Saints will hire former Seattle defensive coordinator and Cowboys assistant Kris Richard as their new secondary coach. He will fill the position once held by Aaron Glenn, who is the new defensive coordinator in Detroit. Richard was the defensive backs coach in Seattle during the Legion of Boom era. From 2012 to 2015, Seattle allowed the fewest points in the NFL for four straight seasons.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron introduced his new coaches on the defensive side of the ball today, defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, linebacker coach Blake Baker and defensive line coach Andre Carter. Orgeron on what he wants to see from the Tigers on defense…
cut 30 (16) “….we want”

The hottest college basketball team in the state is the Ragin Cajuns. U-L Lafayette has won five in a row and they’ve moved into first place in the Sun Belt West Division. This Friday and Saturday, they’ll be in Jonesboro for a two-game series against Arkansas State. Director of Basketball Operations for the Cajuns Mike Murphy says being in first place means they control their own destiny….
cut 18 (20) “….it ends”
U-L Lafayette is also expected to get head coach Bob Marlin back tomorrow after he tested positive last week for COVID.

LSU will visit 10th ranked Alabama tomorrow at 6 PM. Tigers Coach Will Wade says forward Darius Days will be out for an extended period because of a sprained ankle.

U-L Lafayette won two games on the road by a total of three points without head coach Bob Marlin, who was at home after testing positive for COVID-19. Senior Guard Cedric Russell has been named Sun Belt Conference Player of the week as he scored 45 points in the two victories over Texas State. Cajuns Basketball director of operations Mike Murphy says Russell is feeling it from the outside.

Cut 17 (20) “productivity”

LSU forward Darius Days suffered a sprained ankle in the team’s loss to Texas Tech on Saturday.  It was originally believed that Days suffered a knee injury, which would have been more serious.  Still, Coach Will Wade says that Days will miss multiple games and be out an extended period of time.

For a second straight week and the fifth time this season, Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Lofton Jr. was selected the Conference USA Freshman of the Week.  The forward helped LA Tech sweep Southern Miss in two games this past week.  He averaged 12 points per game while shooting 84.6 percent from the field, missing just one shot in each victory.

Northwestern State’s Trenton Massner has earned Southland Conference Player of the Week Honors.  The 6-foot 2 guard poured in an average of 19.5 points per game in the Demons’ wins against UNO and Central Arkansas.  In addition to leading the team in scoring, Massner added five rebounds in each game and dished out three assists per contest.

In baseball news, LSU pitcher Jaden Hill has been named to the Baseball America 2021 Preseason First-Team All-American squad.  He has also received All-America recognition from Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game, and D1 Baseball.  Hill is expected to be the Tigers’ number 1 weekend starter this season, which begins on February 19 when they host Air Force.

The Pelicans could not hold on to a ten-point fourth-quarter lead last night and lost to Sacramento 118-107. De’Aaron Fox scored 17 straight points for the Kings down the stretch and finished with 38 points. New Orleans was outscored 30-15 in the fourth quarter. Brandon Ingram had 20 points for the Pels and Zion Williamson was held to 17 points.

Grambling defeated Mississippi Valley State 85-72 as Sarion McGee had a season-high 23 points. The Tigers also had a season-high 24 assists.

The Saints have made it known they would like quarterback Jameis Winston back for the 2021 season, but Evan Massey reports other teams are also interested in the soon to be free agent. Massey reports the Colts and Bears are also interested in Winston. Jameis has said he wants to be part of an organization that’s ready to win.

LSU’s new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will speak with the local media for the first time today.

The Ragin Cajuns took two games from Texas State last week to move into first place in the Sun Belt West Division. U-L Lafayette won the two games on the road by a total of three points and without head coach Bob Marlin, who was at home after testing positive for COVID-19. Cajuns basketball director of operations Mike Murphy on winning without Coach Marlin…
cut 16 (20) “…this weekend”
Murphy says they expect Coach Marlin will return to practice tomorrow.

LSU will visit 10th ranked Alabama tomorrow at 6 PM. Tigers Coach Will Wade says forward Darius Days will be out for an extended period because of a sprained ankle. LSU is 6-and-3 in the SEC and will play three nationally ranked teams over a four-game stretch.

The LSU men’s basketball team suffered a crushing loss on Saturday in the Maravich Assembly Center. Texas Tech scored the final 12 points of the game in the final minute to beat the Tigers 76-71. Coach Will Wade says it was a game his team deserved to win….
Cut 16 (20) “…it out”
The Tigers have another tough game Wednesday night when they visit 10th ranked Alabama. The Tide walloped LSU by 30 points last month.

Tonight, the Pelicans host the Kings at the Smoothie King Center. Grambling meets Mississippi Valley State. The Delta Devils have yet to win a game in 14 tries this season.

Ragin Cajuns senior guard Cedric Russell was named Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Player of the Week today. The senior guard averaged 22.5 points and four rebounds in last weekend’s two-game series at Texas State. The Cajuns have won five in a row as they now sit in first place in the Sun Belt Western Division.

Louisiana Tech is in third place in the Conference USA West division after winning two games over Southern Miss last week. The Bulldogs will visit North Texas on Friday and Saturday. The Mean Green and UAB are tied for first place in the West Division with just one conference loss. Tech Coach Eric Konkol says North Texas will be another tough challenge…
cut 19 (17) “…make you work”
For the second straight week, Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Loton has been named Conference USA Freshman of the Week. He averaged 12 points and shot 85-percent from the field in the two wins over Southern Miss.

The 7-and-11 Pelicans host the 8-and-11 Sacramento Kings tonight at 7 PM. Steven Adams is questionable for the Pels because of calf tightness. New Orleans is so far 2-and-1 during this five-game homestand.

After losing a hard-fought game to Texas Tech last Saturday, the Fighting Tigers men’s basketball team will visit 10th ranked Alabama on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide are coming off a loss to Oklahoma.

Louisiana Tech played some good defense down the stretch on Saturday and grinded out a 65-62 win over Southern Miss to improve to 14-and-5 overall, seven and three in Conference USA. Amorie Archibald hit two big late free throws and finished with a team-high 15 points…
Cut 18 (15) “…get it done”
Tech travels to North Texas this week for games on Friday and Saturday.

Former LSU star tight end Airk Gilbert posted on Twitter last night he’s transferring to the University of Florida. In eight games last season, Gilbert had 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns. Gilbert will make his return to Tiger Stadium on October 16th when the Gators visit LSU.

Also, LSU has picked up a couple of verbal commitments from offensive linemen for the Class of 2022. Will Campbell from Neville High School in Monroe and Bo Bordelon from Newman High School in New Orleans.

Super Bowl week has arrived as Tampa Bay is hosting this year’s big game. In 2025 New Orleans will host a record-tying 11th Super Bowl. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says the planning is well underway because the NFL asks a lot from a hosting city
Cut 13 (12) “…and the city.”
Cicero says his eleven-member staff will raise about 20-million dollars over the next four years to help pull off the massive event.

Former LSU star tight end Airk Gilbert posted on Twitter last night he’s transferring to the University of Florida. In eight games last season, Gilbert had 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

The LSU basketball team suffered a tough loss on Saturday to Texas Tech as the Red Raiders scored the final 12 points to beat the Bayou Bengals 76-71. Terrence Shannon came off the bench to score 23 points to lead the Red Raiders. Shannon had a critical steal and score on an inbound pass to give Texas Tech a one-point lead with 23 seconds left. Coach Will Wade says Texas Tech showed why they are a top ten team….
Cut 17 (16) “…you want”

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team has moved into first place in the Sun Belt West Division as the Cajuns took two from Texas State this past weekend. On Saturday U-L Lafayette beat the Bobcats 74-73 as Devin Butts stole an in-bounds pass and scored with less than a second left to give the Cajuns a dramatic win.

Louisiana Tech is in third place in the Conference USA West division after winning two games over Southern Miss last week. The Bulldogs will visit North Texas on Friday and Saturday. The Mean Green and UAB are tied for first place in the West Division with just one conference loss. Tech Coach Eric Konkol says North Texas will be another tough challenge…
cut 19 (17) “…make you work”

The Pelicans pulled off a nice upset last night as they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 131 to 126. Lonzo Ball went into the game questionable with an ankle injury but ended up scoring 27 points as he hit seven three-pointers. Eric Bledsoe also knocked down seven three-pointers and finished with 25 points. Brandon Ingram had 28 points, Zion Williamson 21 points and Steven Adams grabbed 20 rebounds.

Cedric Russell had 21 points as the Ragin Cajuns topped Texas State 62-60. U-L Lafayette has won four in a row. ULM’s losing streak has grown to seven as the Warhawks lost at Little Rock 66-62.

Today, LSU hosts 10th ranked Texas Tech. The Bayou Bengals are looking for their first win over a ranked team this season. Tip-off is at 1 PM. And Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss at 2 PM.

_____________________________________________________________________

LSU has filled out its coaching staff for 2021 with the hiring of Andre Carter as its defensive line coach. Carter is a former first round draft pick who spent 13 years as a defensive lineman in the NFL. The past two seasons, he’s been the defensive line coach with the New York Jets. On Thursday, LSU announced former Louisiana Tech and Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker will be the team’s new linebackers coach.

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission has placed a bid to host the regional round of the Division two men’s and women’s basketball tournament in March. Director Kelly Wells says proximity of schools to the Brookshire Grocery Arena makes it a prime location…
cut 8 (13) “…prefer to drive’
Wells says they hope to hear if their bid is expected to next week, it would mean 12 teams, playing 10 games over a five day period.

LSU football’s defensive staff is now complete.  After hiring Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator earlier in the week, yesterday LSU reportedly hired Blake Baker as the new Linebacker coach and Andre Carter as the team’s Defensive line coach.   Baker was the defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes while Carter comes from the New York Jets as their d-line coach.

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, in partnership with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, submitted a joint bid to host the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Regionals at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City.   If awarded both events, Shreveport and Bossier City will host 12 teams who will play 10 games over five days.  While this would be a large event for the area, Kelly Wells, Executive Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission says they have experience on a smaller scale.

Cut 6 (11) “this time”

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking for a second-straight win as they host one of the top teams in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at 6:30.  The Pelicans are 6-10 on the season while the Bucks sit at 11-6.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team grabbed a win last night over Southern Miss 77-60.  The Bulldogs were led offensively by guard Cobe Williams’ 15 points.

The Ragin Cajuns will host Texas State tonight on the hardwood.  State comes into Lafayette with a 6-5 record while the Cajuns are 5-5.

ULM men’s basketball will be on the road tonight as they take on Little Rock at 6:30.  The Warhawks are currently 4-11 on the year.

LSU will host the 10^th ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.  The Tigers are coming off a 78-66 win over the Texas A&M Aggies while Tech lost a close to West Virginia 88-87 in their previous game.  The Red Raiders are led offensively by Georgetown transfer Mac McClung who averages over 17 points per contest.  Cam Thomas leads the Tigers with over 22 points per game.