The Saints did not trade up last night and with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner. Turner started 40 games for the Cougars, recording 115 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.

Former LSU stars Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow are teammates again as the Bengals used the fifth overall pick to select Chase who opted out of the 2020 season but was named the best wide receiver in the country during LSU’s 2019 national championship season.

LSU baseball begins a three-game series tonight against number one ranked Arkansas and there could be over ten thousand fans on hand now that capacity restrictions have been lifted. Center fielder Giovanni DiGiacomo is looking forward to packed Box.
Cut 17 (13) “forward to it”

After splitting a four-game series at home against Marshall last weekend, Louisiana Tech is on the road this weekend for another four-game set at Middle Tennessee. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says his guys play well on the road pointing to their seven and one record in away games in conference play…
Cut 19 (20) “the world”

ULM takes a five-game winning streak to Appalachian State. The Cajuns host Texas State. U-L Lafayette has lost seven of its last nine. Tulane has won ten in a row and they host Houston.

In football news, Southern will reportedly name assistant Jason Rollins as the Jaguars interim head coach. Rollins was the safeties coach and special teams coordinator under former head coach Dawson Odums.

Despite rumors that the Saints were looking to trade up into the top ten, New Orleans stayed at number 28 and drafted Houston defensive end Payton Turner late in the first round of last night’s NFL draft. Turner is six-foot-five, 270 pounds, and played four seasons for the Cougars, starting 40 games and recording 115 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, and ten sacks.

Former LSU stars Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow are teammates again as the Bengals used the fifth overall pick to select Chase who was named the best wide receiver in the country during LSU’s 2019 national championship season.

Former Jennings standout Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence will remain teammates. The former Clemson stars were both drafted by Jacksonsville. Former Amite star and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith went to the Philadelphia Eagles who traded up to get the tenth pick.

In college baseball, the Fighting Tigers host number one ranked Arkansas tonight as the LSU campus returns to 100-percent capacity for sporting events.

After splitting a four-game series at home against Marshall last weekend, Louisiana Tech is on the road this weekend for another four-game set at Middle Tennessee. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says his guys play well on the road pointing to their seven and one record in away games in conference play…
Cut 19 (18) “…incomplete picture”
ULM takes a five-game winning streak to Appalachian State. The Cajuns host Texas State. U-L Lafayette has lost seven of its last nine. Tulane has won ten in a row and they host Houston.

Grambling hosts Prairie View and McNeese hosts UNO.

Tonight is the NFL draft and the rumors are swirling. The Saints have a history of moving up in the first round and they currently hold the 28th pick. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports the Saints are looking to make a trade that would land them a pick in the top ten. Yahoo Sports says the Saints are high on Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley.

Former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to be a top ten pick. He could go to the Bengals with the fifth pick or Dolphins who select sixth. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier says another former LSU wide out Terrence Marshall might also be drafted tonight…
cut 17 (12) “….Ravens”
Former LSU linebacker Jabril Cox is expected to be selected tomorrow and Detillier says many teams are interested in safety Jacoby Stevens.

The Saints have exercised the fifth-year option on defensive end Marcus Davenport, which means he will not be a free agent after this season. Davenport was the team’s first round pick in 2018 out of Texas-San Antonio and in four seasons he’s recorded 12.5 sacks.

After losing a two-point contest last night in Denver, the Pelicans are in Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder.

The LHSAA State Softball Tournament got underway today and for the first time in over a year high school athletes are treated to full stands with no capacity restrictions. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The NFL draft begins tonight and while a pair of talented LSU receivers in Jamarr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr both have a chance to be drafted in the first round.  While Chase and Marshall have the talent to make immediate impacts in the league, draft analyst Mike Detillier says the most intriguing LSU player in the draft might be Safety Jacoby Stevens.

Cut 18 (13) “at LSU”

The Saints have eight selections heading into the seven-round NFL draft. There was no NFL draft combine and getting medical information has been a challenge. General Manager Mickey Loomis wishes they had the chance to speak with some of the prospects face to face

Cut 19 (18) “incomplete picture”

The Softball State Championships in Sulphur begin today and fans will be happy to know there won’t be any capacity restrictions due to newly relaxed COVID public health orders. Visit Lake Charles sales director Eric Zartler says weather permitting they’re hoping for over 18,000 people to attend the 48 team tournament between today’s start of the semi-finals and Saturday’s championship finals.

Cut 11 (08) “state”

In other NFC South news, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed receiver Antonio Brown, which means the Bucs will return all 22 starters from last year’s super bowl team.  Also, after trading for quarterback Sam Darnold, the Panthers have traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round pick.

The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Denver Nuggets on the road last night 114-112.  Forward Zion Williamson had 21 points for the Pelicans and Brandon Ingram added 27.  Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic had 32 points in the victory.

The first round of the NFL draft is tonight and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase seems to be a lock to go in the top ten, with some projections having Cincinnati picking him with the fifth pick. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says the Bengals may not choose Chase.
Cut 16 (17) “…with Tua.”
Chase could be the highest drafted wide receiver that played at LSU.

LSU announces they will be full capacity for outdoor sporting events and that starts this weekend with the Fighting Tigers baseball team hosting Arkansas. No capacity restrictions as well for the LHSAA state softball championships that begin today in Sulphur. Visit Lake Charles sales director Eric Zartler…
cut 12 (07) “….full crowd”

The Saints have eight picks at their disposal during the seven-round NFL draft. New Orleans has lost several starters this offseason as the Black and Gold had to get under the salary cap. But General Manager Mickey Loomis does not see a lot of big holes on his roster…
cut 20 (20) “….for us”
Many mock drafts have the Saints selecting a cornerback with the 28th overall pick.

In other NFL news, the Panthers have traded former Saints Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick. Tampa Bay has re-signed wide receiver, Antonio Brown.

The Pelicans came up short in Denver last night as the Nuggets defeated New Orleans 114 to 112. Zion Williamson had 21 points and his potential game-tying block in the final seconds was blocked by Nikola Jokic, who had 32 points.

As a result of the governor’s latest public health order, LSU announces it will allow full capacity at outdoor sporting events on campus this weekend. The Tigers baseball team will host the top-ranked Razorbacks on Friday, while the Tigers softball team hosts eighth-ranked Arkansas starting on Saturday.

McNeese also announces it will allow full capacity at outdoor events, and the LHSAA State Softball Championships in Sulphur will also not have any capacity restrictions. Semi-final action begins tomorrow.

Tonight the Pelicans will visit the Denver Nuggets. The contest features two of the best scorers in the NBA, Zion Williamson for the Pels and Nikola Jokic for the Nuggets, who scored 37 points against New Orleans the last time these two teams met.

The contract details on new LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey have been released. It’s an eight-year deal that will pay her two-point-five million dollars in the beginning and she will eventually make three-point-three million a year.

The NFL draft begins tomorrow. The Saints have eight picks. General Manager Mickey Loomis says if a prospect opted out last season that will not be a factor on whether they’ll select him. But Loomis admits there’s a lot of players who do not have a lot of collegiate experience…
cut 28 (24) “..best judgement”
Loomis says they also miss not having the opportunity at one-on-one meetings with most of the players who are in the draft.

NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is reportedly interested in the head coaching job at Southern. The Baton Rouge school is said to be interested in hiring the Super Bowl champion running back.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports that Louisiana Tech’s Skip Holtz remains in the running for the head coaching vacancy at Kansas.

The LSU baseball team grabbed a 7-0 victory over Grambling State yesterday.  Pitcher Ma”Khail Hilliard got the start for the Tigers and struck out five Grambling batters through three innings.  Freshmen Jordan Thompson and Brody Drost both hit solo home runs in the win.  LSU will now turn its attention to their weekend series as they host top-ranked Arkansas.

ULM has won their fifth straight game as they took down the Ragin Cajuns 7-6 thanks to Mason Holt’s two-run homerun in the ninth inning.  Even though the game does not count towards Sun Belt standings, it’s the first time the Warhawks have won in Lafayette since 2012.

Louisiana Tech will travel to Middle Tennessee for a four-game series this weekend.  The Bulldogs could get a key player back as Steele Netterville might return to the lineup after missing significant time with an oblique strain.  He has 30 RBI’s this season.

In basketball news, LSU has officially announced the addition of Cincinnati transfer Tari Eason.  The 6’8 forward averaged 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game as a freshman for the Bearcats.  He was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman team last season.

According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, there is mutual interest between Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk and Southern University about the head coaching position in the Jaguars football program.  Southern is looking to replace Dawson Odums, who left Baton Rouge to coach Norfolk State.  Odums went 58-31 with the Jags.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg is reporting that Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is in the running to become the next head football coach at Kansas and is one of four coaches that Kansas is giving the most attention to.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be on the road to play the Denver Nuggets tonight at 8 p.m. before heading to Oklahoma City to do battle with the Thunder.  The Golden State Warriors suffered a 30-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks last night, which moves the Pelicans one game closer to the final playoff play-in spot.

There will be no capacity limits when fans travel to Sulphur for the Louisiana state softball championships.  Play will begin tomorrow.

LSU baseball remains undefeated in midweek games after blanking Grambling State seven to nothing yesterday. Ma’Khail Hilliard struck out five over three shutout innings for the win. Freshman shortstop Jordan Thompson homered for the seventh time, but the Tigers leading home run hitter Gavin Dugas did not play because of back spasms. The Tigers host number one ranked Arkansas this weekend.

ULM won a baseball game in Lafayette for the first time since 2012 as the Warhawks held on to beat the Cajuns seven to six. Mason Holt’s two-run homer in the ninth inning was the insurance runs ULM needed. The game does not count toward the Sun Belt Standings.

Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs is hopeful Steele Netterville will return to the lineup this weekend when the Bulldogs visit Middle Tennessee for a four-game series starting on Friday. Netterville, who has 30 RBIs on the season, has missed about three weeks with an oblique strain.

Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk is interested in becoming the new head football coach at Southern and there’s interest from the Baton Rouge school for Faulk to lead the Jaguars football program. That’s according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. Southern is looking to replace Dawson Odums who last week became the head coach at Norfolk State.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg is reporting that Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is in the running to become the next head football coach at Kansas. Rittenberg says Holtz is one of four coaches that Kansas is giving the most attention to.

24-7 sports ranks LSU’s 2022 recruiting class as the second-best in the country behind Georgia after landing a verbal pledge from a five-star prospect last week. Ponchatoula Safety Jacoby Matthews gives LSU 13 commitments for next year and he’s the third five-star prospect in the class.

24-7 sports ranks LSU’s 2022 recruiting class as the second-best in the country behind Georgia after landing a verbal pledge from a five-star prospect last week. Ponchatoula Safety Jacoby Matthews gives LSU 13 commitments for next year and he’s the third five-star prospect in the class.

Louisiana Tech has fallen three spots to number 18 in the coaches poll after splitting a four-game series versus Marshall. The Bulldogs are at Middle Tennessee this weekend.

LSU is facing Grambling State late this afternoon and tonight the Ragin Cajuns host ULM in a game that will not count towards the conference standings. U-L Lafayette swept the Warhawks earlier this season. U-L-M infielder Grant Schultz has been named Sun Belt Baseball Player of the Week as was 8-for-11 at the plate with a home run and 7 RBIs.

The Title Nine scandal at LSU has dominated the news, but there was reason to celebrate on the Baton Rouge campus yesterday as the school introduced one of the winningest coaches in women’s basketball, Kim Mulkey, who takes over the Lady Tigers basketball program. During her introductory press conference, Mulkey recognized the elephant in the room and promised to make a difference…
cut 30 (10) “….positive”
Seven women have filed a federal Title Nine lawsuit against LSU and the school’s Board of Supervisors claiming the university failed to address allegations of assault and sexual harassment.

The Pelicans are off tonight after a 120 to 103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip in Denver tomorrow.

The Sun Belt Conference announces its men’s and women’s conference basketball tournaments next year will be played at the Pensacola Bay Center from March 2nd to the seventh in Florida.

About one thousand people filled the Pete Maravich Assembly Center yesterday afternoon to welcome Kim Mukley back home. The Tickfaw native and Hall of Fame coach is taking over the Lady Tigers basketball program after leading Baylor to three national championships. LSU women’s hoops had a great run in the mid-2000s when they reached the Final four five consecutive times, but Mulkey wants to do better…
cut 14 (09) “…to do (cheering)”
Mulkey is the eighth coach in LSU women’s basketball history and takes over a program that went 9-and-13 last season.

The Pelicans moved within four games of Golden State for the final spot in the play-in tournament with a 120 to 103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. Zion Williamson had 23 points, while Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe chipped in with 18 points. The Pels are at Denver tomorrow night.

LSU is 6-and-12 in the SEC after winning two of three from 19th ranked Ole Miss. The Tigers have won back-to-back series, but Coach Paul Mainieri says they still have a bad taste in their mouth after blowing an eight-run lead on Saturday and losing 10-9 to the Rebels…
cut 17 (25) “…plugging away”
LSU will host Grambling State at 4 PM today. Grambling is coming off a three-game sweep over Texas Southern. They scored double digits in every game.

In other action tonight…ULM is at U-L Lafayette in a game that will not count towards the conference standings. The Cajuns swept a three-game series from the Warhawks earlier this month.

Louisiana Tech has fallen three spots to number 18 in the coaches poll. The Bulldogs are at Middle Tennessee this weekend.