The Saints were without their top running backs and starting safety Marcus Williams, but still crushed the Carolina Panthers 33-7. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees tossed three touchdown passes and the defense intercepted five passes. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson says he’s not surprised they didn’t miss a beat…
cut 17 (18) “…this thing”
The Saints will host the Chicago Bears this Sunday in an NFC playoff matchup. Since the game is on a Sunday, it increases the chances running back Alvin Kamara can return after testing positive for COVID. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says the team understands the importance of avoiding a COVID outbreak now that the postseason has arrived…
cut 10 (12) “…the playoffs”

The LSU basketball team fell to 1-1 in SEC play as they lost to Florida in Gainesville, 83-79. Field goal percentage was the key stat, as the Gators shot 50-percent from the field, while the Tigers shot 41-percent. LSU Coach Will Wade says his team missed a lot of shots near the rim
cut 20 (20) “….to finish.”
The Tigers will host Georgia on Wednesday.

Several LSU football players have announced they will return next season, including starting guard Ed Ingram, linebacker Micah Baskerville and defensive tackle Glen Logan. Linebacker Jabril Cox has announced he’s entering the draft, while tight end Arik Gilbert has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The Saints finished off a 12-4 regular season with a 33-7 win over the Carolina Panthers yesterday. New Orleans is the two seed in the NFC playoffs and will host Chicago this Sunday. Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins has won two Super Bowls and knows how to approach postseason football…
cut 9 (12) “…it is”
Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders made himself some extra money as he caught nine passes and eclipsed 60 for the season, which results in a 500-thousand dollar bonus. Sanders did a mini-celebration as soon as he caught his 60th pass on the year…
cut 18 (16) “…be out there”

There’s been a lot going on with the LSU football program. Center Liam Shanahan, linebacker Andre Anthony, defensive ends Ali Gaye and Neil Farrell and offensive guards Chasen Hines and Ed Ingram are returning. Tight end Arik Gilbert has entered the transfer portal and linebacker Jabril Cox has declared for the NFL draft.

Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman is expected to interview for the LSU defensive coordinator job. He’s 34-years-old and really wants to be a head coach. And Pete Thamel with Yahoo Sports reports LSU plans to talk with Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz about the Tigers vacant offensive coordinator position.

The NCAA announces the entire men’s basketball tournament will take place in Indiana and games will be played in Indianapolis, Bloomington and West Lafayette.

The Saints completed a sweep of NFC South opponents and have the second seed in the NFC playoffs after a dominating 33-7 win over Carolina. New Orleans won despite having five players on the reserve-COVID-19 list, including their top two running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Coach Sean Payton was asked about the COVID issues

Cut 16 (13) “…team win.”
The Saints could have received the top seed in the NFC playoffs and a first-round bye, but the Bears didn’t beat the Packers. So New Orleans will host Chicago on Sunday at 3:40 in the Superdome in a rematch of a November first game that the Black and Gold won in overtime.

LSU starting defensive end Andre Anthony and offensive guard Ed Ingram announces they will return for another season, while standout linebacker Jabril Cox has declared for the NFL draft.

The Pelicans continue their four-game homestand tonight as they host the Indiana Pacers. New Orleans has won two in a row and they are coming off a 120-116 win over the Raptors. Recently acquired guard Eric Bledsoe had a good game with 19 points and 10 assists. Coach Stan Van Gundy on Bledsoe trying to fit in
Cut 19 (19) “…more comfortable”
Bledsoe hit a big three-pointer with 42 seconds left to snap a 113 tie in Saturday’s win over the Raptors.

The LSU men’s basketball team suffered its first SEC loss on Saturday afternoon as they lost by four to Florida 83-79. The Tigers host Georgia on Wednesday.

ULM is off to a 2-and-0 start in the Sun Belt after beating Arkansas State in back-to-back games.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been placed on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus. And there’s a possibility he could miss a playoff game next week. New Orleans can still get the first seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. For that to happen, the Saints need to beat the Panthers tomorrow, the Packers have to lose to the Bears and Seattle must defeat San Francisco. Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will also miss Sunday’s game due to COVID.

Ohio State won last night’s Sugar Bowl and the Buckeyes will battle Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 11th in Miami. The Crimson Tide knocked off Notre Dame as former Amite (A-meet) star Devonta Smith caught seven passes and scored three touchdowns,

Also yesterday, Georgia defeated Cincinnati 24-21 and Northwestern knocked off Auburn 35-19.
_________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team started Sun Belt play last night with an 83-77 overtime win over Texas State. Devin Butts hit a career-high six three-pointers and finished with 22 points. Mylik Washingon had 21 points and eleven rebounds.

ULM also won its Sun Belt opener as the Warhawks defeated Arkansas State 84-72. Russell Harrison had 17 points.

Louisiana Tech was also a winner last night as the Bulldogs dribbled past Marshall 75-68, Kenneth Lofton and Isaiah Crawford each scored 15 points to help Tech win its Conference USA opener.

LSU is at Florida this afternoon. The Tigers are 6-1, while the Gators are 4-1. Tip-off is at 1 PM.

Southland Conference play begins today with Nicholls hosting Sam Houston at 5 PM in a game that can be seen on ESPN-plus.

The Pelicans host the Toronto Raptors. New Orleans beat the Raptors in the season opener and they are 3-and-2 on the season. The Raptors are 1-and-3. Tip-off is at 6:30.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara missed practice today after testing positive for COVID not once but twice and he’s now on the COVID list. Also, Kamara has been fined five-thousand dollars for wearing red and green shoes in his record tying six touchdown performance in the win over Minnesota on Christmas Day.

In his fourth season with the Black and Gold, Kamara is having his best season and is 68 yards away from a one-thousand yard rushing season. That’s a milestone he would like to reach
Cut 16 (20) “…stuff to do.”
New Orleans closes out the regular season Sunday at Carolina kick-off is 3:25.

The Sugar Bowl kicks off at 7 PM tonight in New Orleans as Ohio State and Clemson play in a revenge game for the Buckeyes who were denied last year by the Tigers. Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley…
Cut 13 (15) “…more exciting.”
Unfortunately due to the pandemic, only 3,000 fans will be allowed in to see the game in person.

Earlier today, Georgia won the Peach Bowl as they rallied to beat Cincinnati 24-21. 14th ranked Northwestern defeated Auburn 35-19 in the Citrus Bowl.

LA Tech, ULM and the Cajuns tip off conference basketball play tonight. The Bulldogs will host Marshall at 6:30. Monroe is riding a three-game losing streak into their home game against Arkansas State at 6 PM. UL Lafayette has won six in a row as they host Texas State.

The Saints can become the first team to finish 6-0 in the NFC South since the division was formed in 2002 if they can beat the Panthers in Carolina on Sunday afternoon. New Orleans enters the game with the league’s third-rated defense and ninth rated offense. They are seventh in the NFL in rushing and offensive tackle Terron Armstead on why they’ve been so successful on the ground this year…
cut 30 (24) “…for us”
The Saints can clinch the number one seed in the NFC with a win, a Packers loss and a Seahawks win to create a three-way tie for first place in the league standings and New Orleans owns the tiebreaker under that scenario.

Acadiana is the Class 5A champions in high school football again after a thrilling 35-34 win over Alexandria Senior High. The Trojans nearly rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes to win their first state title. It was a good prep classic for the Lafayette area as Acadiana, Carencro, and Lafayette Christian all won state titles.

In basketball, the Pelicans are at Oklahoma City tonight. New Orleans has failed to score over 100 points in its last three games and for the season they are shooting 30-percent from three-point territory. The tip-off is at 7.

Conference play begins Friday for La Tech, U-L Lafayette and ULM. The Bulldogs open Conference USA play by hosting Marshall on Friday and Saturday in the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs have won three in a row and are 7-2 on the season, while Thundering Herd are 6-and-1.

The Cajuns are six and one and they’ll host Texas State on Friday and Saturday in the Cajundome. The Bobcats are 6-and-3. ULM will host Arkansas State. The Warhawks have lost three in a row.

The New Orleans Saints will wrap up the regular season on Sunday as they will be on the road to take on the Carolina Panthers. The Saints have locked up a spot in the playoffs but are still fighting for the number-one seed.  Linebacker Demario Davis says the team has been in a playoff mindset for weeks now and needs to win on Sunday.

Cut 27 (12) “the playoffs”

Alexandria will try to make history tonight when they take on top-seeded Acadiana for the 5A state championship.  A win would give the team their first state title in school history. Head Coach Thomas Bachmann says his team making it to the title game proves the doubters wrong.

Cut 28 (13) “be done”

The LSU men’s basketball team got a dominant win against the Texas A&M Aggies 77-54.  With Javonte Smart and Trendon Watford having quiet nights, the team turned to freshman Cam Thomas, who topped his career-high 29 points against Nicholls by pouring in 32 points last night.  Forward Darius Days had a double-double against the Aggies with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

While LSU has struggled on the glass this year, they managed to outrebound A&M 40-31.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost 111-86 to the Phoenix Suns last night.  The shots just weren’t falling for the Pels as the team was just 3-24 from three-point range and just 50 percent from the foul line.  Zion Williamson led the way offensively for New Orleans as he scored 20 points on 9-13 shooting.

Also, the Tulane men’s basketball game against Central Florida has been postponed.  Their next game is scheduled for Saturday against East Carolina.

The LSU men’s basketball team will start conference play tonight as they will host their SEC foe the Texas A&M Aggies in the PMAC at 6 p.m.  Both teams are 5-1 on the year, with LSU riding a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight’s contest.  Despite the Tigers’ recent success, Head coach Will Wade says there’s still some areas where the team needs to improve.

Cut 27 (14) “percentage basis”

It is unknown whether or not point guard Javonte Smart will be available for tonight’s game, he missed the game versus Nicholls due to Covid-19.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in action tonight as they travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns at 9 p.m.  New Orleans is 2-1 on the season and are looking for their second straight victory after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 98-95 in their most recent game.

New Orleans will need to play well defensively against a high-scoring suns team led by Devin Booker, who averages over 22 points per game.

Edna Karr has a chance to win its fifth straight state championship tonight as they take on top-seeded Carencro for the Class 4A title at 6 PM.

Karr is coming off a dominant 35-13 win over Easton back on December 18^th, their closest game of the playoffs. The Cougars clobbered Istrouma 70-19 in the second round back on December 4^th.  Karr head coach Brice Brown says the secret to their success has been staff continuity.

Cut 29 (11) “system”

On Monday, St. Thomas More beat De La Salle 35-28 to win the Division II championship.  LSU signee Jack Bech was named MVP of the game after reeling in 10 catches for 232 yards and a pair of scores.  2022 LSU QB commit Walker Howard threw for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The LSU men’s basketball team will begin conference play tonight as they will host the Texas A&M Aggies in the PMAC.  Both teams are 5-1 so far this season, and while the Tigers have been efficient on the offensive end, they have struggled with rebounding this year.  Head coach Will Wade was critical of the team’s effort.

Cut 28 (14) “better there”

LSU is currently on a 4 game winning streak after taking down Nicholls St. 86-80 on Saturday.  The game is at 6 p.m.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in action tonight as they travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns at 9 p.m.  New Orleans is 2-1 on the season and are looking for their second straight victory after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 98-95.

Edna Karr is gunning for their fifth high school football state championship in a row tonight as they take on Carencro for the Class 4A title at 6 PM in Natchitoches.

Karr is coming off a dominant 35-13 win over Warren Easton back on December 18^th, their closest game of the playoffs.  Cougars head coach Brice Brown says his championship-winning teams all have one thing in common with this year’s group, they don’t quit.

Cut 11 (09) “quarters”

On Monday, St. Thomas More beat De La Salle 35-28 to win the Division II championship, Lafayette Christian took down St. Charles 12-7 for the Division III title, and Oak Grove won the 1A state title.

A couple of future LSU Tigers put on a show in last night’s Division Two state title game as St. Thomas More held off a determined De La Salle team to beat the Cavaliers 35-28 in Natchitoches. Cougar wide receiver and LSU signee Jack Beche (Besh) caught 10 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback and LSU commit Walker Howard threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns. It’s the second straight title for S-T-M.

Oak Grove also went back-to-back winning the One-A title for the second year in a row as the Tigers topped Grand Lake 33-7. Oak Grove senior running back Ron Carten rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

LSU signee Sage Ryan did not play, but Lafayette Christian still won its fourth straight championship as the Knights knocked off St. Charles Catholic 12-7.

Karr goes for a fifth straight Four-A title tonight as the Cougars face top-seeded Carencro at 6 PM. Before that it’s Ouachita Christian versus Calvary Baptist.

The Saints will close out the regular season this Sunday against Carolina at 3:25. New Orleans can get the top seed with a win, plus a Green Bay loss to Chicago and a Seattle victory over the 49ers.

Alvin Kamara’s NFL record tying six rushing touchdown performance versus the Vikings was a nice Christmas gift for many Saints fans. Quarterback Drew Brees says it also helped his son Baylen win his fantasy football league…
cut 30 (15) “…thanks to Alvin”

SEC play begins tonight for the LSU Tigers as they host Texas A-and-M at 6 PM. The Bayou Bengals enter league play averaging nearly 89 points a game, which ranks 16th nationally. Freshman Cam Thomas is leading the way as he’s averaging 23 points a game. Both LSU and and A-and-M are five and one, the Aggies are led by six-foot-seven forward Emmanuel Miller.