After getting swept by Tennessee, LSU has fallen out of every major college baseball poll except one. The Tigers are ranked 25th in the USA Today Coaches Poll, dropping nine spots from last week. Sunday was a very frustrating day for LSU as they dropped a pair of games in extra innings. Coach Paul Mainieri…
cut 17 (17) “…South Alabama”
LSU is 1-and-5 in the SEC. It’s the Tigers’ worst start in league play since 1969.

19th ranked Louisiana Tech is off to a 3-and-1 start in Conference USA Play after taking three of four from Southern Miss. And U-L Lafayette has started 3-and-1 in Sun Belt play after beating Coastal Carolina seven to nothing today. Jack Burk gets the win, striking out eight over five innings.

The Pelicans are in Boston tonight to take on the Celtics. Zion Williamson is coming off a 38-point performance in a win over Dallas on Saturday.

The Saints have signed former Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon to a two year contract. Kansas City drafted Kpassgnon, who is six-foot-seven in the second round in 2017. He has seven sacks in 61 career regular-season games.

Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would allow college athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness. Taylor Sharp has the story.
Voicer 2 (27) “…I’m Taylor Sharp.”

Tough weekend for the LSU baseball team in Tennessee as they were swept by the Volunteers. The Fighting Tigers lost two games yesterday in extra innings. The first game was a nine to eight defeat in the resumption of a game that started Saturday. LSU was one strike away from winning that contest in nine innings, but Tennessee’s Drew Gilbert delivered an RBI single to tie the game. Coach Paul Mainieri says he now wishes he walked Gilbert…
cut 16 (15) “…put him on”
LSU lost the final game of the series three to two in eight innings on a walk-off home run.

The Pelcians are in Boston tonight to take on the Celtics. New Orleans is coming off a win over Dallas on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball ended its season with a 76-74 win over Colorado State in the consolation game of the NIT. Freshman Kenneth Lofton had a career-high 27 points and scored the winning basket with point-three seconds left.

21st ranked La Tech baseball took three of four from Southern Miss including an eight to seven victory yesterday. The Ragin Cajuns won their opening Sun Belt Conference series. ULM lost two of three from Texas State. Southeastern Louisiana swept Lamar in a four-game series to move into first place in the Southland, while McNeese was swept by Stephen F Austin.

The NFL is expected to announce this week that the regular season will be expanded to 17 games. Saints running back Alvin Kamara voiced his displeasure on social media by saying it’s a dumb move.

A bill filed by Louisiana Senator Patrick Connick would allow college athletes in Louisiana to make money off their name image and likeness. Connick says it is not a pay-for-play bill, but rather a way for athletes to be compensated for their hard work.
Cut 7 (08) “…their name.”
California and Florida have already passed similiar legislation.

A Legislative committee heard testimony from a woman who accused former LSU running back Derrius Guice of sexual harassment.
74-year-old Gloria Scott says in December of 2017 she was working as a Superdome security guard when she was accosted by Guice and a group of his friends. She says Guice was explicit and refused to leave when asked…

Cut 3 (15) “laughing”

LSU lost the opening game of its weekend series against Tennessee with a 3-1 loss last night.  The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead when Gavin Dugas hit a solo homerun in the second inning.

Tech grabbed game one of the weekend series against Southern Miss with a 3-2 victory.

The Ragin Cajuns cruised to a 9-2 victory over conference rival Coastal Carolina last night.  Game two is at 2 p.m.

ULM pulled out a 6-5 victory over Texas State last night in game one of the weekend series.

LSU’s spring football practice is underway and quarterback Max Johnson has been receiving first-team reps under center.  The quarterback battle is a four-man race with Myles Brennan, TJ Finley, and Garrett Nussmeier competing for the job.  Johnson says it’s the coaches’ job to make the decision on who will start, he’s just focused on competing.

Cut 19 (14) “that decision”

The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Denver Nuggets 113-108 last night.  Despite the loss, forward Zion Williamson had a big night for the Pels, pouring in a game-high 39 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 5 assists.  The Pels’ next game will be tonight as they host the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m.

It will be a battle of the Bulldogs on the hardwood today as Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State square off in the semi-finals of the N.I.T. at 2 p.m.

Junior right-hander Landon Marceaux is the Tigers new Friday night starter as LSU opens a three-game series tonight at ninth-ranked Tennessee. Marceaux has not allowed an earned run in 31.1 consecutive innings. Previous Friday starter Jaden Hill will be moved to Saturday.  While Mainieri says each game is equally important, part of the decision to change the rotation was wanting to get off to a good start this weekend.

Cut 17 (16) “…Friday night.”

Game 1 is tonight at 5;30.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested Thursday night in Cleveland, Ohio on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth $3.25 million.

The New Orleans Pelicans will look for a third-straight win as they host the Denver Nuggets tonight at 7 p.m.

21st ranked Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play tonight with a four-game series at Southern Miss. Each team is playing well, the Bulldogs have won six in a row, while the Golden Eagles have won nine of their last ten.  Tech Coach Lance Burroughs it’s a great way to start conference play…

Cut  18 (14) “…four-game set.”

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team will begin Sun Belt Conference play as they host Coastal Carolina in a four-game series beginning tonight at 6 p.m.

ULM will play take on Sun Belt opponent Texas State on the diamond this weekend as they will be on the road for the three-game series.

Nicholls will host Houston Baptist in a weekend Southland Conference series.  Game 1 is tonight at 6:30 p.m.

The Southeastern Louisiana baseball team will be on the road for a four-game weekend series at Lamar.

Northwestern will host South Alabama in a three-game series this weekend.

The NBA’s trade deadline came and went this afternoon and the Pelicans are keeping Lonzo Ball. There were reports the Bulls and Knicks were interested in acquiring Ball, but he’s staying in New Orleans. Ball has not played the last two games because of a strained right hip flexor, but we’ll see if he’s in the lineup tomorrow when the Pels host the Nuggets.

The La Tech basketball team will take on Conference USA rival Western Kentucky in the NIT tonight at 9 p.m. These teams played each other in early January, which each team winning once during a two-game series in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tech coach Eric Konkol says the familiarity should make for a good game.
Cut 16 (10) “…great matchup.”
Tip-off is at 9:00 on ESPN 2.

LSU baseball is making a change with its pitching rotation heading into this weekend’s series in Knoxville against Tennessee. Junior right-hander Landon Marceaux will start on Friday night and Jaden Hill will slide back to Saturday. Marceaux has not allowed an earned run in 31.1 consecutive innings. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Marceaux has been magnificent…
cut 30 (10) “…what he’s doing”
Offensively, the Tigers are number one in the nation in homers with 37. The series begins tomorrow at 5:30 central time.

21st ranked Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play this weekend with a four-game series at Southern Miss. Each team is playing well, the Bulldogs have won six in a row, while the Golden Eagles have won nine of their last ten.

The Ragin Cajuns open Sun Belt play this weekend by hosting Coastal Carolina and ULM is at Texas State.

Multiple reports say the New Orleans Saints and Caesars Entertainment are close to finalizing a deal for Superdome naming rights.  The current naming rights deal with Mercedes Benz expires in July.

The Saints have reportedly signed veteran Tight End Nick Vannett to a three-year deal.  This signing comes on the heals of New Orleans cutting tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill.  Vannett caught 14 passes for the Denver Broncos last season.

Also, former Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone has signed with the Detroit Lions

The NBA trade deadline is 2 p.m. today and there have been trade rumors involving Pelicans guards JJ Redick and Lonzo Ball.  The Chicago Bulls are a team that have reportedly shown interest in Ball.  If New Orleans is unable to trade Redick, the team may buy out his contract.

Grambling State has suspended all football activities because of positive COVID tests.  The Tigers upcoming games against Alabama A-and-M on March 27th and Texas Southern on April 3rd have been canceled.

The La Tech basketball team will take on Conference USA rival Western Kentucky in the NIT tonight at 9 p.m. These teams played each other in early January, with each team winning once during a two-game series in Bowling Green, Kentucky. When the Bulldogs and Hilltoppers battle it out on the hardwood, it will be broadcast on ESPN 2.  Coach Eric Konkol says playing on a big-time stage is a great opportunity.

Cut 18 (16) “represent everybody”

When the LSU baseball team takes on Tennessee in Knoxville this weekend, there will be a noticeable change in the rotation.  During his appearance on “Off The Bench” coach Paul Mainieri says  Landon Marceaux will get the start on Friday night, instead of his usual Saturday spot in the rotation. Marceaux has thrown 33 and a third innings, striking out 36 batters and has not allowed an earned run all season.  Jaden Hill will get the start on Saturday.

Multiple reports say the Saints and Caesars Entertainment are close to finalizing a Superdome naming rights deal. The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports the two sides are discussing a 20-year deal that would pay the franchise 10-million dollars annually. The current naming rights deal with Mercedes Benz expires in July.

After releasing Jared Cook and Josh Hill, the Saints were in the market for a veteran tight end. They found one in Nick Vannett, who has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the team. Vannett is known more as a blocker than a pass receiver. He caught 14 passes last season with Denver.

Former Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone has signed with the Lions and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh re-signs with Tampa Bay.

Grambling State has suspended all football activities because of positive COVID tests. So the Tigers upcoming games against Alabama A-and-M on March 27th and Texas Southern on April 3rd have been canceled.

The NBA trade deadline is at 2 PM today. There have been trade rumors involving the Pelicans J-J Redick, but reports say he may get bought out, which will allow the three-point specialist to sign with another team as a free agent. Starting point guard Lonzo Ball is another trade candidate and the Chicago Bulls have reportedly shown interest in Ball.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will face Conference USA foe Western Kentucky tonight in the quarterfinals of the N-I-T Tournament. The Hilltoppers are led by Conference USA Player of the Year Charles Bassey and senior guard Taveion Hollingsworth. Tech Coach Eric Konkol says they need to keep Hollingsworth from getting to the foul line…
cut 17 (13) “….away from it”
Tip off is at 9 PM on ESPN 2.

The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan is reporting that Caesars Entertainment is expected to land the Superdome naming rights. Mercedes Benz currently has a naming rights deal with the Dome but that contract runs until July this year. Duncan reports that Saints owner Gayle Benson and team executives recently met with Caesar’s reps in Las Vegas to discuss a deal that would pay the NFL franchise 10-million dollars over the next 20 years.

At LSU’s spring practice, Coach Ed Orgeron likes what he sees from his new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones. The Tigers’ last defensive coordinator Bo Pelini led LSU to a historically bad season on defense and Orgeron says he’s more hands-on this year…
cut 18 (22) “…doing it”
Orgeron says linebacker and safety are the big position battles on defense.

The 21st ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team won its sixth straight game last night as the Bulldogs rallied to beat ULM nine to seven. Tech second baseman Taylor Young had three hits and drove in three runs.

The Pelicans took advantage of a short-handed Lakers team and defeated Los Angeles 128 to 111 last night. L-A was missing Lebron James and Anthony Davis because of injuries, while the Pels two best players had good nights. Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 36 points and Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds. That’s now 21 straight games of 20 points or more for Williamson…
cut 20 (23) “…I do it”
New Orleans is now 19 and 24 and they are 2.5 games back of 10th place in the Western Conference. The teams who finish between seventh and tenth place will compete in a play tournament to get in the playoffs. There are multiple reports that say the Pelicans and J-J Redick are likely headed toward a buyout.

The 2020 LSU football season did not go as planned for the Tigers as they struggled and finished with a 5-5 record. Coach Ed Orgeron made several changes with his coaching staff after the .500 season and admits he did a poor job of hiring coaches after winning the national championship…

Cut 17 (25) “tremendous job”

Louisiana Tech baseball has extended their winning streak to six games as they take down ULM 9-7.

Southern’s upcoming football game against Jackson State on April 3 has been moved to ESPN.  The game between the Jaguars and Tigers will kickoff at 4 p.m.

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston got emotional talking about Drew Brees and the possibility he may replace Brees next season. Winston recently signed a one-year deal with New Orleans for the opportunity to replace the future hall of famer. He spent this past as Brees’ backup and says it was a dream for him to have an opportunity to learn from a great Q-B….

Cut 19 (19) “he understands”

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Lakers 128-111 last night.  Forward Brandon Ingram led the way offensively for the Pels as he scored a game-high 36 points.  Zion Williamson added 27 points in the win.  The Pelicans are now 19-24 on the season.

The 2020 LSU football season did not go as planned for the Tigers as they struggled and finished with a 5-5 record. Coach Ed Orgeron made several changes with his coaching staff after the .500 season and admits he did a poor job of hiring coaches after winning the national championship…
Cut 17 (25) “…tremendous job.”
Orgeron says the quarterbacks continue to get equal reps and freshman defensive lineman Maason Smith has looked good as the Tigers are in the second week of spring practice.

In the latest F-C-S Top 25 poll, Nicholls is ranked 17th, while Southeastern Louisiana dropped to 23rd.

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston spoke with the media yesterday for the first time since signing a one-year contract to compete with Taysom Hill for the starting quarterback job. Winston says he’s grateful for the opportunity…
cut 20 (14) “….that I can”
Winston says he’s excited about the opportunity to keep working with head coach Sean Payton.

The Pelicans didn’t have to work too hard to beat the Lakers last night. Lebron James and Anthony Davis did not play for Los Angeles and the Pels beat the short-handed Lakers 128 to 111. Brandon Ingram had a season-high 36 for New Orleans.

The 21st ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team won its sixth straight game last night as the Bulldogs rallied to beat ULM nine to seven. Tech second baseman Taylor Young had three hits and drove in three runs.