New Pelicans Coach Willie Green turns 40-years-old today as he embarks on his first head coaching job. He was officially introduced as the team’s new head coach yesterday and talked about the importance of creating a personal relationship with players…
cut 18 (18) “…my approach”
Green played 12 years in the NBA, including one season in New Orleans. He’s been an assistant coach with Golden State and most recently Phoenix.

Presidents and chancellors at SEC schools will reportedly meet tomorrow to discuss Texas and Oklahoma’s request to join the Southeastern Conference. Eleven of the 14 schools would have to approve the move.

The Saints have announced they signed defensive end Kendall Donnerson and cornerback Brian Poole. Donnerson was on the Bengals practice squad last year after he was selected in the seventh round by the Packers in 2018. Poole is a former Florida Gator and in 70 career games in the NFL, he’s intercepted seven passes and has played the last two seasons with the Jets.

The LSU Tigers are set to report for preseason camp on August fifth. Coach Ed Orgeron told WWL radio that he hopes fifth-year wide receiver Jontre Kirklin will have a breakout season. The Tigers open the season against UCLA on September fourth. The media predicts the Bruins to finish fourth in the South Division.

Superstar gymnast Simone Biles will not compete in tomorrow’s all-around finals at the Summer Olympics as the 24-year-old continues to focus on her mental well-being. Biles also did not compete in the team competition as the United States ended up with the Silver, while Russia took the gold.

It was reporting day for veteran players on the Saints as the first training camp practice is Thursday. The focus during Saints training camp will be on the quarterback battle, but ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says there’s a lot of holes to fill on defense. He says several starters from last year’s team are no longer on the Black and Gold…
Cut 17 (16) …recent years”
On offense, the Saints know they will be without Michael Thomas for the first few games of the regular season as he recovers from off-season ankle injury. New Orleans has reportedly signed veteran receiver Chris Hogan, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

Texas and Oklahoma have officially asked the SEC if they can join their league. SEC presidents and chancellors will meet Thursday to discuss.

Willie Green was introduced as the new head coach of the Pelicans today. He joins the Pels after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Pheonix Suns, who reached the NBA Finals this year…
cut 28 (28) “…this team go”
Green is known as someone who can connect with players. He spent 12 years in the league and he’ll turn 40-years-old tomorrow.

Happy birthday coach O. The LSU head coach is celebrating his 60th birthday today. Orgeron and the Tigers report for camp on August 5th.

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team took the silver today in Tokyo after Simone Biles withdrew from the finals due to what is being called a mental issue.

The post-Drew Brees era really sets in today for the Saints as veterans report for training camp. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will compete against each other for the opportunity to replace Brees as the team’s starting quarterback. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says there’s a lot to like about both guys…

Cut 16 (18) “Taysom Hill”

Texas and Oklahoma have officially informed the Big 12 of their plans to leave the conference.  The two schools are now seeking an invitation from the SEC, which would make it a 16-team super conference.

SEC presidents will meet Thursday as they decide whether or not to allow Texas and Oklahoma entry into the conference.  12 of 14 teams have to vote yes in order to receive an invitation to join the conference.

Cooper Fouts will join coach Lane Burroughs’ staff at Louisiana Tech and serve as the teams recruiting coordinator and pitching/catching coach.  Fouts has 16 years of collegiate coaching experience on his resume and was most recently an assistant coach at Purdue.

Tech linebacker Tyler Grubbs has been named to the Nagurski award preseason watch list.  Last season he led the Bulldogs with 99 tackles including nine and a half tackles for loss.  The Nagurski is presented yearly to the best defensive player in college football.

Also, LSU offensive lineman Ed Ingram is on the Outland trophy preseason watch list.  The Outland trophy is award to the best interior lineman in the country.

Happy birthday coach O.  The Tigers head coach is celebrating his 60^th birthday today.  Orgeron is entering his fifth season as the head man in Baton Rouge.

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team took silver after Simone Biles withdraws from the finals due to what is being called mental health issues.

The veterans for the Saints report for training camp today as New Orleans begins the post-Drew Brees era. ESPN reporter Mike Triplett says for the Saints to repeat as NFC South champs, they need members of the 2020 draft class to really develop this year, guard Ceasar Ruiz, linebacker Zach Baun and tight end Adam Trautman in particular…
cut 18 (15) “…a little while”
In an effort to add some depth at wide receiver with the likelihood that Michael Thomas will miss the first few weeks of the regular season, the Saints reportedly signed veteran Chris Hogan. Hogan made a name for himself with the Patriots. For his career he’s caught 216 passes for 18 touchdowns. Hogan was playing lacrosse for the Whipsnakes when he got the call from the Saints.

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The Pelicans have reportedly pulled off a big trade with the Memphis Grizzlies as they acquire center Jonas Valanciunas, while Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe head to Memphis. The two teams also swapped draft picks, so Memphis gets New Orleans tenth pick, while the Pels get the Grizzlies 17th pick. Memphis also receives a protected first-round selection in 2022. Valanciunas is known as a tough post player who averaged a double-double this past season, 17 points and 13 rebounds a game.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won a gold medal as he helped the U-S four-by-100 freestyle relay team to a vicotry. Curry had the first leg for the squad in the prelims, as they won that heat. He didn’t swim in the finals, but still gets a medal for what he did in the prelims. Curry is the first Olympian swimmer in LsU history to take home a gold medal.

And Texas and Oklahoma have officially informed the Big 12 they play to leave the conference in 2025. The two schools are seeking an official invitation from the SEC.

Texas and Oklahoma have formally told the Big 12 they plan to leave that conference when their grants of media rights deal expires in 2025. It’s now expected that the Sooners and Longhorns will try to join the Southeastern Conference. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says money is behind the move, plus major conferences are looking to split away from the NCAA…
cut 15 (14) “…differently”
Texas A-and-M is the only SEC school to voice opposition to Texas joining the SEC.

The Saints have reportedly signed veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s primarily a slot corner and the 28-year-old has seven career interceptions. He’s spent the last two seasons with the Jets after spending his first three years with Atlanta.

The Pelicans have a big draft ahead of Thursday night’s draft. New Orleans has reportedly sent Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, plus this year’s 10th and 40th pick along with a protected first-round pick in 2022 to the Grizzlies for Memphis Jonas Valanciunas. New Orleans also gets the 17th and 51st picks from this year’s draft. Valanciunas is coming off a career-high 17 points and 13 rebounds a game this past season.

Brooks Curry became the first LSU swimmer to win a gold medal as he helped the four-by-100 meter freestyle relay team to victory at the Summer Games in Tokyo. Curry swam the first leg of the prelims and finished with a time just under 49 seconds.

Curry did not swim in the Finals, but all swimmers who participate in the prelims or the finals receive a medal. LSU Associate Swim Coach Stephen Mellor says with the Summer games getting pushed back a year, Curry took advantage…
Cut 11 (12) “…that team”

Texas and Oklahoma have announced that they are leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, which would make the SEC a 16-member league. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says this might mean the end of the Big 12.

Cut 13

This could make the SEC even more dominant as one of the premier conferences in college athletics.

The New Orleans Saints and Caesars Entertainment have announced a 20-year, exclusive naming rights deal that rename the stadium as the Caesars Superdome.  The Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team.  Curry swam in the preliminaries and his team finished first in their heat.  He was replaced for the final by Caeleb Dressel, but all swimmers who participate in prelims or finals receive a medal.

LSU cornerbacks Elias Ricks and Derek Stingley Jr. have both been named to the Jim Thorpe award watch list.  The Thorpe award is presented each year to the best defensive back in college football.  Also, LSU linebacker Damone Clark was named to the Butkus Award watch list, presented to the best linebacker in the country.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. This was not an elimination game however, so team USA’s gold medal hopes are still alive.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm out of the Olympic golf tournament.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta.

Texas and Oklahoma are expected to inform the Big 12 today they are leaving and will not renew the contractual agreement that binds conference members until 2025. This is the first official step in the Longhorns and Sooners anticipated move to the SEC…
cut 14 (09) “….makes sense”
That’s 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello who says money is behind what would be a huge shakeup in college athletics. Starting in 2024, SEC schools are expected to receive about 68-million dollars a year when their new TV deal goes into effect. Big 12 schools received about 35-million dollars from their TV deal this year.

The Saints are reportedly signing veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s played for the Jets the last two seasons and intercepted three passes in 25 games. His biggest strength is as a slot defender.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. Kevin Durant was held to ten points and there are rumors he may join France’s team next time around.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm is also out of the Olympic golf tournament.

The U-S women’s gymnastics team has advanced to the finals, but a shaky performance had them finishing behind Russia in the qualifying round.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta. The Phillies are four games back of the Mets for first place in the N-L East.

The Saints will reportedly not have star-wide receiver Michael Thomas for the start of the season, because he’s recovering from undergoing ankle surgery last month. The NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas’ absence will make it difficult for both Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston who are trying to replace Drew as the starting quarterback…
cut 10 (11) “…wide receiver”

And it looks like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC will really happen. There are multiple reports that say the Longhorns and Sooners will inform the Big 12 on Monday they are leaving that conference, which will allow them to begin official discussions with the SEC. Insiders say a move to the SEC would not happen until after their Grant of Rights expires in 2025 so they don’t have to pay a 70-million dollar plus exit fee.

The U-L Lafayette football team is picked to win the Sun Belt West after winning ten games last year. But Coach Billy Napier says this is a new season and he has a different team on his hands…
cut 20 (19) “….rookie group”
Napier says his team is fully healthy heading into the start preseason camp.

Alabama is once again picked to win the SEC West. That’s according to the SEC preseason media poll. Texas A-and-M is picked to finish second, LSU third. Over in the SEC East. Georgia is the preseason favorite, followed by Florida and Kentucky.

Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and kicker Cade York are the lone LSU Tigers on the preseason all-SEC first team.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener…
cut 9 (09) “…do the surgery”
Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games.

The SEC Media preseason poll was released today and LSU is predicted to finish third in the SEC West. Alabama is the favorite to win the West, Texas A-and-M is expected to finish second. Georgia is the preseason favorite in the East.

And Chip Brown of 24-7 sports is reporting Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC and will inform the Big 12 of their decision on Monday. Brown reports the Longhorns and Sooners plan to stay in the Big 12 until 2025 when their league’s grant of rights expires.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…
Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen.”
The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. The Colonels are coming off a spring season where they went four and three. Coach Tim Rebowe believes his team has learned from that experience
Cut 17 (13) …guys know.”
McNeese has been picked to finish fourth, while Northwestern State is projected to finish fifth in the six-team conference.

The NFL is warning teams they will have to forfeit a game if they can’t play because of a COVID outbreak involving unvaccinated players. And if there is no game, players on both teams will not get paid. Former LSU Tiger and Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette tweeted Thursday afternoon, Vaccine I can’t do it….That tweet was deleted a short time later.

Louisiana Tech will have a good battle for starting quarterback when the Bulldogs begin preseason camp. Aaron Allen and Luke Anthony took most of the snaps last season, but Anthony suffered a major leg injury in the final regular-season game. Coach Skip Holtz says Anthony had another surgery in June, which is when he went out and signed Austin Kendall…
Cut 18 (21)”…experience.”

A day after news broke that Texas and Oklahoma were looking at joining the SEC, the Big 12 held a videoconference yesterday involving athletic directors and university presidents, but Texas and Oklahoma did not participate. The Big 12 says any school that withdraws from the league has to give at least 18 months’ notice and pay a huge exit fee, an estimated 76-million dollars apiece according to ESPN.

ULM football coach Terry Bowden made his first appearance at Sun Belt Media Days. Bowden understands he has a big job in front of him after the Warhawks went winless in 2020…
Cut 19 (25) “..another job.”