New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas is still listed as questionable for the upcoming game against their NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Thomas returned to practice this week but was a limited participant.  Thomas, the 2019 NFL Offensive player of the year, is one of the top receivers in the league and could provide the Saints with an added weapon against a very good Bucs defense.  Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s excited to potentially have him in the lineup this week.

Cut 18 (20) “lineup”

Louisiana Tech’s game against North Texas this Saturday has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases within the Mean Green program.  The two teams have agreed to reschedule for December 7^th.  The Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State, ULM is at Georgia State and Tulane visits East Carolina.

The SEC men’s basketball schedule for the 2020-21 season has officially been released. LSU will begin their season against Louisiana Tech on December 6^th and will begin conference play on December 29^th when they host the Texas A&M Aggies before wrapping up the regular season against Vanderbilt on March 2^nd.  The Tigers finished last season tied for second in the conference and return some key players from last year’s squad, including Javonte Smart, Darius Days and Trendon Watford.  Those veterans combined with a number of talented freshman could have LSU in a position to compete for the conference title.

Conference USA announced its updated scheduling format for men’s and women’s basketball.  The conference will transition to an 18-game conference schedule while only holding these games on Friday and Saturday in order to keep student-athlete’s health at the forefront.  LA Tech will get its season started on Nov. 27 at home against UT Arlington.

The New Orleans Saints will face a big challenge on Sunday night when they go on the road to take on their division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Not only are these two teams rivals, but the winner of this game will become the leader in the NFC South.  The Saints offense will need to bring its a-game because the Bucs have a great defense which ranks towards the top in league in numerous areas.  The Saints will get an offensive weapon back, as receiver Emmanuel Sanders has been removed from the Covid-19 list and has been a full participant in practice.  Quarterback Drew Brees says he plans to use all his weapons on offense in order to move the football.

Cut 17 (17) “the ball”

Receiver Michael Thomas has returned to practice on a limited basis

Louisiana Tech’s game against North Texas this Saturday has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases within the Mean Green program.  The schools are hoping that the game can be rescheduled in December.

The NBA Players Association has approved the league’s proposal to start a shortened 72-game regular season on December 22nd.  Training camps would begin around the beginning of December while the NBA Draft would take place on November 18^th.

Louisiana Tech has been picked to finish seventh in the Conference USA preseason basketball poll.  The Bulldogs return 11 letter winners from last years team, which went 22-8 overall, and obtained a 13-5 league record.  Tech returns two of their top three scorers from a year ago in Amorie Achibald and Kalob Ledoux.  Archibald averaged 11.3 points per game last season while shooting 42 percent from the field.  The Bulldogs also return two of their top three rebounders from last year in JaColby Pemberton and Isaiah Crawford.  Tech gets its season started on November 27^th at home against UT Arlington.

Stephen F Austin has been picked to repeat as Southland Champs. Nicholls is expected to finish fourth, McNeese sixth, UNO eighth, Northwestern State 10th and Southeastern Louisiana 11th.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been playing at an MVP level this season, but he and the Black and Gold face a tough test on Sunday night in Tampa Bay against a Buccaneers squad that ranks number one in rush defense, allowing just 70 yards a game. Kamara on why the Bucs are so good at stopping the run…
cut 19 (20) “….the run”
The winner of Sunday night’s game in Tampa will have the inside track on winning the NFC South.

Representatives of the NBA Players Association have approved the league’s proposal to start a shortened 72-game regular season on December 22nd. Training camps would start around December first. The NBA draft is November 18th.
____________________________________________________________
Louisiana Tech’s scheduled football game against North Texas on Saturday has been postponed due to COVID-19 cases and contact tracing with the Mean Green football program. The schools are hoping the game can be played during the week of December fifth.

So that leaves just three Louisiana college football teams playing on Saturday. The Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State at 11 AM, ULM is at Georgia State and Tulane visits East Carolina. For the Cajuns, they are trying to stay in first place in the Sun Belt West, while the Warhawks are still searching for their first win and the Green Wave are trying to get back to the five-hundred mark at 4-and-4.

In college basketball news….Louisiana Tech has been picked to finish seventh in Conference USA. Also league games will be played on Friday and Saturday.

Stephen F Austin has been picked to repeat as Southland Champs. Nicholls is expected to finish fourth, McNeese sixth, UNO eighth, Northwestern State 10th and Southeastern Louisiana 11th.

And there’s a report the SEC basketball schedule will come out today.

The Saints will visit Tampa Bay on Sunday night. The Buccaneers lead the league in rushing yards allowed, only giving up 70 yards a game. New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara…
cut 20 (20) “…disrupt the run”
The Saints enter the primetime matchup with a 5-2 record, while the Buccaneers are 6-2.

Louisiana Tech’s football game this Saturday at North Texas has been postponed due to COVID 19 cases and contact tracing within the Mean Green program. The two schools are working to reschedule the game the week of December fifth.

Louisiana Tech baseball unveiled its 2021 schedule today and it features a school-record 37 home games at their new ballpark, including contests against Arkansas and Ole Miss.

The Ragin Cajuns will host Sun Belt West Rival Arkansas State for homecoming on Saturday. The Red Wolves are 3-and-4 and have lost two in a row, scoring just 17 points in those two defeats. Layne Hatcher and Logan Bonner have been sharing the quarterback duties for Arkansas State. Coach Billy Napier says both guys have experience and have shown the ability to move the ball down the field…
cut 17 (15) on that”
2012 was the last time Arkansas State beat the Cajuns in Lafayette and U-L has won 11 of its 12 home games in the series.

LSU has a scheduled off-day on Saturday and Coach Ed Orgeron said on his radio show last night that quarterback Myles Brennan remains very doubtful for the Tigers’ next game against Alabama as he had trouble throwing the football yesterday because of an abdominal injury.

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan returned to practice yesterday as he attempted to come back from his abdominal injury, and unfortunately, it did not go well.  LSU Head coach Ed Orgeron says that Brennan was in a lot of pain while throwing and he is considered doubtful for the Alabama game next week.  The Tigers are using the bye week to work on themselves after suffering a 37-point loss to Auburn on the road last Saturday to their conference rival.  Coach Orgeron still believes he can bring another national championship to Baton Rouge, but says they need to fight through this difficult time.

Cut 18 (17)…”football team”

Yesterday afternoon Nicholls State men’s basketball coach Austin Claunch signed a four-year contract extension, which locks him in through the 2023-24 season.  After two seasons of leading the Colonels, Claunch has obtained a 35-27 overall record along with a 22-16 mark in Southland Conference play.

The New Orleans Saints are preparing for a big Sunday night matchup against their division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Bucs have a roster full of NFL stars and possess one of the top defenses in the entire league.  Head Coach Sean Payton explains what makes that unit so good.

Cut 19 (10)…”protect”

Quarterback Drew Brees was limited in practice yesterday due to a right shoulder injury.  It appears that the team always limits Brees on Wednesday but it was the first time this season the veteran QB was listed on the post-practice injury report.  Brees has played 97% of the Saints’ offensive snaps this season, throwing for 13 touchdowns in his seven starts.  Receivers Marquez Callaway and Michael Thomas were also limited due to ankle injuries while running back Alvin Kamara is deal with an injured foot.

Receiver Emmanuel Sanders has returned to practice and was a full participant after missing the last two games due to being placed on the Covid-19 list.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara were limited at practice yesterday, but their injuries are not considered serious and they are expected to play in Sunday’s critical NFC South matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Receivers Michael Thomas and Marquez Callaway were also limited and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was back at practice in a sign that he’s off the COVID-19 list.

So it looks like New Orleans will have a lot of its offensive weapons for Sunday night’s game against Tom Brady and Tampa. The Black and Gold beat the Bucs 34-23 in the season opener. Coach Sean Payton says the Bucs offense has improved since then…
cut 20 (13) “….football team”
And Tampa is adding seven-time pro bowl receiver Antonio Brown, who is set to play his first game since week two of the 2019 season.

LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan tried to practice yesterday, but Coach Ed Orgeron said on his radio show it did not go well and he’s very doubtful for the Alabama game on November 14th. If Brennan can’t play, Orgeron has said freshmen TJ Finley and Max Johnson will compete during practice to see who starts.

The Ragin Cajuns play their first home game since October 14th when they host Arkansas State for homecoming on Saturday. Louisiana is 5-1 while the Red Wolves are 3-and-4 and have lost two in a row and scored just 17 points in those two defeats. But Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says Arkansas State is more than capable…
cut 16 (18) “…as well”
Kick-off is at 11 AM

Voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes voted for the ballot measure that legalizes sports wagering in their parish. So for sports betting to become a reality, the Louisiana Legislature will have to determine how the activity will be taxed and where the money will go…
cut 12 (10) “…money goes”
That’s Ryan Berni with Louisiana Wins a lobbying group in support of legalized sports betting. He says a Louisiana Economic Development Department study found the state is losing as much as 330-million dollars in taxable revenue by not allowing legalized sports wagering.

The Athletic is reporting the Pelicans are having trade talks with several contending teams about Jrue Holiday. The 30-year-old averaged 19 points and seven assists in 61 starts last season. He’s set to make 25-million dollars next season and he could exercise a player option worth 26 million for the 2021-22 campaign.

Injured LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan is expected to practice today for the first time in 3.5 weeks. Coach Ed Orgeron says they want to see how much Brennan can do after throwing on his own on Monday…
cut 29 (12) “…far he can go”
Orgeron and the Tigers hope Brennan is healthy enough to play November 14th against Alabama.

No LSU football game on Saturday, but the Tigers baseball team will begin its purple-and-gold world series at Alex Box Stadium tonight. Coach Paul Mainieri says the team has been practicing since September 30th and it looks they have a club that can play in Omaha next June…
cut 16 (16) “ great pitching staff”

55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved the November 3rd ballot measure that legalizes sports wagering. Ryan Berni of Louisiana Wins says over 65-percent of the voters statewide voted for the legalization of sports betting and now it’s up to the lawmakers and the gaming control board to approve the rules and regulations.

Cut 10 (10)… “other states”

It appears that new head coach Stan Van Gundy is already starting to shake things up as the Pelicans are reportedly looking to trade star guard Jrue Holiday.  This could be part of the rebuilding process for New Orleans as they look for more young stars.  Holiday, who is entering his 30’s, is reportedly being pursued by a number of contenders across the league.  All trade talks for Holiday are in the early stages.

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan has returned to practice and is listed as day-to-day with an abdominal injury that has sidelined him for the past few weeks.

LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri spoke to the media yesterday to break down fall baseball.  Mainieri of course mentioned his strong pitching staff but several freshman have stolen the show so far during fall practice.  Mainieri says that if the season started today, he would have three freshman in the lineup which are Will Safford, Tre Morgan and Dylan Crews.  Mainieri says that the highlight of fall practice has been Morgan, who he describes as a great all-around player.

Cut 18 (11)… “to me”

Winless ULM will be on the road this Saturday as the travel to take on Georgia State.  The Warhawks are 0-7, but head coach Matt Viator says the win-loss record will not change how he coaches.

Cut 19 (12)… “them out”

The Saints return to work today and as they get ready for Sunday night’s big matchup with Tampa Bay. The game will go a long way towards deciding who will win the NFC South and get at least one home playoff game. The Buccaneers are a half-game ahead of the Black and Gold for first place in the division. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to make his debut for Tampa Bay on Sunday.

LSU Baseball begins its Purple and Gold Series tonight and Coach Paul Mainieri says several freshmen are looking good in fall ball. Mainieri says Dyan Crews is his likely starter in right field…
cut 17 (11) “…home runs’
Mainieri says freshman Will Safford has a chance to start at third base, while Tre Morgan from Brother Martin in New Orleans has looked good at first base, which would move Cade Beloso to the outfield.

We’ll get an update today from LSU Coach Ed Orgeron on whether Quarterback Myles Brennan is making any progress. Orgeron will speak during the SEC Coaches teleconference at 10 AM. Brennan has been sidelined the last two games with a reported abdominal injury and his hoping to play November 14 versus Alabama.

Because of Tuesday’s election, college football teams did not practice yesterday. ULM coach Matt Viator says he’s not sure of the status of senior running back Josh Johnson, who injured his hamstring last Saturday…
cut 20 (07) “…Wednesday morning”
The Warhawks are at Georgia State on Saturday.

Lousiana Tech Football Coach Skip Holtz is not saying who will start at quarterback this Saturday at North Texas. Aaron Allen came off the bench last weekend to lead the Bulldogs to a come from behind 37-34 double-overtime win over UAB. Luke Anthony has started the last six games.

At the halfway point of the 2020 season, the defending national champion LSU Tigers are 2-and-3 and with difficult games remaining against Alabama, Florida, and Texas A-and-M, the Bayou Bengals could have their first losing season since 1999. But Coach Ed Orgeron still likes the direction of the program
cut 16 (16) “ do that”
LSU continues to do well on the recruiting trail. According to 24-7 sports, the Tigers have the fourth-best 2021 recruiting class as LSU picked up two commitments from Acadiana over the weekend, Lafayette Christian Safety Sage Ryan and St. Thomas More’s Jack Bech, who is a three-star wide receiver who just de-committed from Vanderbilt.

A proposition to allow sports betting by the parish is on today’s ballot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Saints are off today and they’ll get back to work tomorrow as they will face Tampa Bay on Sunday night. The Buccaneers avoided an upset last night as they defeated the Giants 25-23 to move to six and two, a half-game ahead of the Black and Gold for first place in the NFC South. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to make his debut for Tampa Bay.