The Saints continued their preparations today for Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears. Running back Alvin Kamara is expected to be activated from the COVID-19-reserve list and Quarterback Drew Brees says their ability to run the football has been a key to their success…
cut 17 (15) “….good formula”
Kick-off is at 3:40. The game will be televised on CBS and it will also air on Nickelodeon in a special-kid-friendly broadcast. Coach Sean Payton …
cut 29 (19) “…if we won”

The LSU basketball team will now play Ole Miss tomorrow night, instead of Missouri, because Mizzou is dealing with COVID issues.

Tonight on the hardwood, the Pelicans complete a four-game homestand by hosting the Hornets.

ULM looks to improve to 3-0 in Sun Belt play as they host U-T Arlington, while the Cajuns are at home to face Little Rock. The Trojans are the other team in the Sun Belt to start league play at 2-0.

After splitting a pair of games last week versus Marshall, Louisiana Tech will take on Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky tonight and tomorrow on their home floor. Coach Eric Konkol on the matchup between two teams that have an identical record of 8-and-3
Cut 19 (23) “…the past.”
Tip off in Bowling Green, Kentucky is at 7 PM.

The Saints are 10-point favorites to beat the Bears in their playoff matchup. New Orleans needed overtime to defeat Chicago in the regular season and defensive end Cam Jordan says if another close game takes place Sunday they have confidence they can get the W…
Cut 18 (10) “…built.”
Saints running back Alvin Kamara sent out a tweet last night that said “See y’all Sunday” likely indicating he will be able to play against Chicago. The Pro Bowler is currently on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list but is eligible to come off that list on Sunday.

Ragin Cajuns running back Trey Ragas has entered the 2021 NFL draft. The New Orleans native rushed for 758 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season.

New Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian is reportedly trying to hire Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond away from LSU.

Contract details have been released for LSU’s new coaching hires. Offensive coordinator Jake Peetz is set to make one-point-two million dollars this year and one-point-three million dollars next year, while passing game coordinator DJ Mangas has agreed to a two-year deal that pays him 400-thousand dollars a year.

In college basketball tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Little Rock. ULM hosts U-T Arlington. Louisiana Tech is at Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky. The Sun Belt and CUSA have league schedules that feature back-to-back games against the same opponent. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol says the unusual scheduling makes conference play that much more interesting…
cut 20 (23) “…fascinating race”

It’s win or go home as the NFL playoffs begin this weekend. The Saints will host the Chicago Bears as New Orleans looks to avoid its third straight postseason home defeat. Quarterback Drew Brees on the possibility that this will be his last game…
cut 16 (09) “…much the same’
Saints running back Alvin Kamara tweeted out last night, “See y’all Sunday” an indication that he’ll play in Sunday’s playoff game after testing positive for COVID-19 last Friday. He’s eligible to be activated on Sunday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Kamara has been participating in practice this week remotely thanks to TVU networks technology. Kamara has been able to view practice as the Saints were installing the game plan for the Bears.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans host the Hornets at 6:30.

Contract details have been released for LSU’s new coaching hires. Offensive coordinator Jake Peetz is set to make one-point-two million dollars this year and one-point-three million dollars next year, while passing game coordinator DJ Mangas has agreed to a two-year deal that pays him 400-thousand dollars a year.

In college basketball tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Little Rock. ULM hosts U-T Arlington. Louisiana Tech is at Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky. The Sun Belt and CUSA have league schedules that feature back-to-back games against the same opponent. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol says the unusual scheduling makes conference play that much more interesting…
cut 20 (23) “…fascinating race”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Saints running back Alvin Kamara is participating in live practices this week remotely via TVU networks technology after testing positive for the coronavirus last week. Schefter tweets that Kamara has a transreceiver at his home and is viewing practice as the Saints implement the game plan for Sunday’s playoff game against the Bears. New Orleans is hopeful Kamara will be able to play.

Only three-thousand fans will be in the Dome for Sunday’s game. Coach Sean Payton says the team will need to create its own energy in order to have a home-field advantage.
cut 17 (17) “…other factors.”
And there are tickets still available for Sunday’s game as an allotment of tickets was returned from the Bears.

LSU football has hired Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz as its offensive coordinator and Carolina offensive assistant DJ Mangas as the passing game coordinator. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says both coaches are in their 30s and worked with former LSU assistant Joe Brady…
cut 29 (11) “…be hired”
LSU reportedly interviewed 34-year-old University of Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman today as the Tigers are looking to replace former D-C Bo Pelini.

Louisiana Tech receiver Cee Jay Powell has reportedly entered the transfer portal after catching 37 passes last season.

In basketball…Freshman Cam Thomas had 26 points as the Tigers beat Georgia in overtime. Southeastern, Northwestern State and UNO all lost in Southland play, while Nicholls rallied to beat Lamar 76-69.

Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas has reportedly returned to practice on a limited basis ahead of Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears.  Coach Sean Payton is hopeful that Thomas will be available on Sunday.

Cut 16 (09) “significant”

LSU named a pair of Carolina Panthers to its coaching staff.  Quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz is the Tigers’ new Offensive Coordinator and offensive assistant DJ Mangas will be the Passing Game Coordinator.  Both of these coaches worked with former LSU assistant Joe Brady this past season.  Brady was LSU’s passing game coordinator in 2019 and connected well with Heisman Winner Joe Burrow, ultimately winning the national championship.  Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the goal is to re-create that magic, but with different coaches and players.

Cut 20 (12) “in there”

Louisiana Tech’s receiving corps has gotten a little thinner as senior wideout Cee Jay Powell has entered the transfer portal.  Powell was one of the more consistent pass catchers for the Bulldogs the last two seasons.  He was second on the team in receptions during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, totaling 80 catches for 759 yards.

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped a close one to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night 111-110.  The Pelicans were led offensively by Zion Williamson’s 29 points and Brandon Ingram’s 24 point double-double.  While the team shot 49 percent from the floor, they shot just 4-22 from three-point range.

Nicholls St took down the Lamar Cardinals 76-69 to improve to 3-5 on the season.  Najee Garvin led the way for the Colonels with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team fell to Sam Houston 70-52 last night.  The Lions will travel to Thibodeaux to take on Nicholls on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Northwestern State lost 75-67 to Incarnate Word last night, dropping their record to 1-12.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron has hired Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz as the Tigers new offensive coordinator and Panthers offensive assistant DJ Mangas is LSU’s new passing game coordinator. Both men worked under former LSU assistant and current Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady. In 2019, Brady helped create one of the most prolific offenses in college football history and Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Orgeron is hoping to re-create that magic, but with different coaches and players…
cut 20 (12) “…in there”
LSU men’s basketball defeated Georgia in overtime 94-92 last night. Javonte Smart hit two big three-pointers at the end of regulation to tie the game and finished with 21 points.
According to an email sent by the Saints to season ticket holders, there will be three-thousand fans in the Superdome for Sunday’s playoff game against the Vikings. So New Orleans will not enjoy a Dome-field advantage with 70-thousand screaming Who Dats. During his conference call with reporters, Coach Sean Payton provided an idea of how to fill up the Dome, jokingly suggesting to quarantine thousands of Saints fans…
cut 18 (17) “….taken off or not”
The Pelicans lost their second straight home game last night as New Orleans fell to the Thunder 111 to 110. New Orleans is now 4-4, 1-2 on its four game homestand that ends Friday with a game against Charlotte.

In the Southland…Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana and UNO lost last night, while Nicholls knocked off Lamar 76-69.

The LSU football program has made two significant hires today as Jake Peetz has been named the offensive coordinator and DJ Mangas has been named passing game coordinator. Both served on the Carolina Panthers staff this past season, where former LSU assistant Joe Brady is the offensive coordinator. Peetz served as Carolina’s quarterbacks’ coach in 2020 and has 10 years of NFL experience, while Mangas served as an offensive analyst for LSU during its 2019 national championship season.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night, becoming the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991. Smith credits the hard work he put in while growing up in Amite City.
Cut 3 (11) “prove everybody wrong”
He’s only the second Louisiana native to win the prestigious award. Springhill native John David Crow won the award in 1957 after a standout season as a halfback for Paul Bear Bryant at Texas A&M.
The LSU men’s basketball team looks to bounce back tonight against Georgia following last Saturday’s loss to Florida. Tigers coach Will Wade says the Bulldogs like to play at a fast pace and they lead the SEC in rebounding margin…
cut 27 (17) “…for us”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

Also tonight, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, and Northwestern State all have home games tonight. S-L-U plays its first home game in 308 days when they take on Sam Houston. The Bearkats beat Nicholls in its southland opener. The Colonels host Lamar tonight, while the Demons return to Prather Stadium to take on Incarnate Word.

While the Pelicans host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. New Orleans looks to rebound from a bad overtime loss to Indiana on Monday.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night, which is a rare accomplishment for a receiver.  Despite choosing Alabama over the home-state LSU Tigers, Smith says his hometown has been very supportive throughout his college career.

Cut 4 (14) “my journey”

The New Orleans Saints will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the first round of the NFL playoffs.  Even though the Saints are playing well, Tight End Jared Cook says the team will need to raise its level of play in the postseason.

Cut 19 (11) “next step”

The game is scheduled for 3:30.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to bounce back tonight against Georgia following their recent loss to the Florida Gators.  The Tigers are 1-1 in the SEC and 6-2 overall.  Head Coach Will Wade says he had a spirited talk with his team after the loss to Florida.

Cut 18 (16) “capable of being”

The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team will host Sam Houston tonight in the Southland Conference opener at 7 p.m.  The Lions are the only team in the Southland that hasn’t played a home game this season.

It’s been almost a month since the Northwestern St men’s basketball team has played a game inside Prather Coliseum, but they will do just that as they host Incarnate Word tonight at 6:30.

Following a close loss to Sam Houston in the conference opener, the Nicholls St men’s basketball team hopes to bounce back as they host Lamar tonight in a midweek matchup.  Tipoff is a 7 p.m.

Amite City native and Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith was awarded the Heisman Trophy last night. Smith is the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard did it in 1991.

Four players with ties to Louisiana are finalists for the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame, New Orleans native Peyton Manning, former LSU Tiger Alan Faneca, Saints linebacker Sam Mills and former John Ehret standout Reggie Wayne.

The Saints are hoping running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas will be available for Sunday’s playoff game against Chicago. Tight end Jared Cook says having Thomas on the field makes it harder on defenses…
cut 20 (17) “….red zone”
Kick-off Sunday is at 3:40.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is hoping to hire a new offensive and defensive coordinator this week. Orgeron reportedly interviewed Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz and offensive assistant DJ Mangas yesterday and Coach O plans to talk with University of Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman on Thursday.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to bounce back tonight against Georgia following last Saturday’s loss to Florida. Tigers coach Will Wade says the Bulldogs like to play at a fast pace and they lead the SEC in rebounding margin…
cut 17 (17) “…for us”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

Also tonight, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, and Northwestern State all have home games tonight.

While the Pelicans host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron hopes to hire a new offensive and defensive coordinator this week. Orgeron is reportedly interviewing Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz and Panthers offensive assistant D-J Mangas for the offensive coordinator job today. Both spent this past season learning under former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. Multiple reports say Orgeron will interview Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman for the vacant D-C position at LSU.

Sunday’s Saints-Bears playoff game is a rematch of a regular-season contest that New Orleans won in Chicago about two months ago. Nick Foles was the starting Q-B for the Bears in that game and now it’s the more mobile Mitch Trubisky. Coach Sean Payton says Chicago’s offense is different with Trubisky as the signal-caller…
cut 17 (17) “….team yeah”

Former Amite star and Alabama standout DeVonta Smith could become the first receiver since 1991 to win the Heisman Trophy as a virtual ceremony takes place tonight. Smith has caught 105 passes for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. His High School football coach at Amite Zephaniah Powell says Smith stepped up his game after fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle broke his ankle against Tennessee on October 24th…
Cut 19 (18) “…been big.”

The Pelicans are off tonight after a tough overtime loss to the Pacers last night. Tomorrow New Orleans hosts Oklahoma City, LSU faces Georgia in the PMAC.