The Saints are reportedly close to 100 million dollars over the salary cap as they head into the offseason, which means significant roster moves are likely needed.  One key player that will be a free agent is defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who had 13.5 sacks this past season.  Saints GM Mickey Loomis says he’ll be a hot target for a lot of teams but the Black and Gold would like to keep him in New Orleans.

Cut 17 (11) “want him back”

Austin Thomas has been named the General Manager for the LSU football team.  Thomas returns to LSU after spending the 2020 season as senior associate athletic director for football at Baylor.  This is his second stint with the tigers as he spent five years in Baton Rouge from 2013-17.

Ruston running back Bull Hargrove has committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Hargrove is a consensus 4-star recruit and a top-10 player in the state.

The Pelicans took down the Washington Wizards last night 124-106. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both put up 32 points and Steven Adams pitched in with 18 rebounds. Wizards All-NBA star guard Bradley Beal did manage to account for 47 points and six assists, but only one other Wizard hit double digits.  With the win, the Pels improve to 6-10 on the season.  Their next game is tomorrow night against Milwaukee.

In the Southland Conference, Northwestern is on a two-game winning streak as the Demons downed UNO. Nicholls won it seventh straight as the Colonels edged out McNeese 76-69. Ty Gordon had 24 points. And Southeastern Louisiana defeated Central Arkansas 69-57.  The Lions now sit at 5-11 on the year.

Tonight, Louisiana Tech begins a two-game series against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.

The Lady Tigers basketball team will be on the road tonight as they take on number 22 ranked Georgia.  LSU sits at 6-7 while Georgia is 13-2.

The Saints are reportedly close to 100 million dollars over the salary cap, which means significant roster moves are likely needed in the offseason. General Manager Mickey Loomis admits the salary cap situation will be a challenge….
Cut 16 (11) “…the year after.”
But Loomis still expects the Saints to compete for championships, even if Drew Brees decides not to return for a 21st season.

The SEC has released its football schedule for 2021 and the Tigers are set to play seven home games and five road games, including the first-ever meeting with UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasedena, California to kick-off the season on September 4th. LSU’s SEC home games next fall will be against Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A-and-M, and they’ll visit Mississippi State, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Alabama on November sixth.
________________________________________________________

The Pelicans took down a heavily depleted Wizards team last night 124-106. Against a COVID and injury-depleted frontcourt, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both put up 32 points on highly efficient shooting. Steven Adams pitched in with 18 rebounds. Wizards All-NBA star guard Bradley Beal did torch New Orleans for 47 points and six assists, but only one other Wizard hit double digits.

In the Southland Conference, Northwestern State has its first two game winning streak of the year as the Demons downed UNO 81-73 as Trenton Massner had 21 points. Nicholls won it seventh straight as the Colonels dribbled past McNeese 76-69. Ty Gordon had 24 points. And Southeastern Louisiana defeated Central Arkansas 69-57.

Tonight, Louisiana Tech begins a two-game series against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.

La Tech has also released its football schedule for 2021. The Bulldogs will play six games at home including the Conference USA opener against North Texas on September 25th. Tech kicks off the season at Mississippi State.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis spoke for the first time today since the season ended and was asked about handling the offseason when they do not know if quarterback Drew Brees will retire or not. Loomis says they are not in a rush to get an answer from Brees…
cut 30 (30) “….there are knowns”
Over-the-cap-dot-com, says the Saints are projected to be 112-million dollars over the salary cap. Loomis says getting under the cap will be challenging, but it doesn’t mean the team will have to rebuild.

LSU released its 2021 football schedule today. The Tigers are scheduled to kick-off next season in Pasadena by playing at U-C-L-A. The first of seven home games will be September 11th versus McNeese. The SEC opener is September 25th at Mississippi State and the Tigers will once again face Alabama on the first Saturday in November.

A COVID outbreak following a wrestling tournament in Gonzales earlier this month has caused the LHSAA to cancel the rest of the regular season for wrestling. But LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they plan to still hold the state championships February 25th and 26th at the Baton Rouge Raising Canes Center and strict measures will be in place…
cut 8 (08) “…social distancing”

The Pelicans will look to snap a three-game losing streak tonight as they host Washington. Last night LSU basketball ended a two-game losing streak with a 78-66 win over Texas A-and-M.

LSU has officially hired Daronte Jones as the team’s next defensive coordinator.  Jones has received a 2-year contract worth 1.3 million annually, plus a one-time payment of 150 thousand dollars.  Jones has spent the past 5 years in the NFL, he was the Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach this past season.

The LSU men’s basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak last night as they grabbed a 78-66 win over Texas A&M.  It was a hard-fought game and head coach Will Wade says he’s pleased with his team’s performance.

Cut 30 (30) “yesterday”

The New Orleans Pelicans are scheduled to host Washington Wizards tonight and will look to end a three-game losing streak.  The Pelicans have struggled with consistency and forward Brandon Ingram says they are still figuring out how to use all their new pieces.

Cut 18 (18) “professionals that we have”

Tonight in Southland basketball action…McNeese is at Nicholls while U-N-O visits Northwestern State while Southeastern Louisiana looks for an important win as they host Central Arkansas.

Nicholls is the favorite to win the Southland Conference spring football season. The two-time defending co-champions received seven first-place votes, while Sam Houston received six first-place votes.  Southeastern is picked to finish third followed by McNeese and Northwestern.  The conference schedule is set to begin on February 20^th.

LSU has named Daronte Jones (duh-RAHN-tay) Jones as its new defensive coordinator. Jones apparently received a high recommendation from former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Jones coached with Aranda at Wisconsin in 2015 and he’s coached in the NFL the last five seasons, spending this past season as the defensive backs coach for the Vikings. Jones has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract that pays him one-point-five million dollars a year.

Today at one o’ clock, the SEC will release the conference football schedule for the 2021 season.

The LSU men’s basketball team ended its two game losing streak last night with a 78-66 win over Texas A-and-M in College Station. The Tigers led by 17 in the first half and then trailed by six in the second half, before finishing the game on an 18-to nothing run. Cam Thomas led the way with 28 points.

Tonight, the Pelicans are scheduled to host Washington Wizards. New Orleans will look to snap a three-game losing streak.

____________________________________________________

The LHSAA has informed member schools that its ending the regular season for wrestling. The news comes three days after the state department of health reported that over 20 COVID-19 cases have been linked to a wrestling tournament held at the Dixon Expo Center in Gonzlaes. The LHSAA still plans on holding the state wrestling championships in Baton Rouge the final weekend of February.

Nicholls is the favorite to win the Southland Confernece spring football season. The two-time defending co-champions received seven first place votes, while Sam Houston received six first-place votes. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish third followed by McNeese and Northwestern State who is fifth. The conference schedule begins February 20th.

Tonight in Southland basketball action…McNeese is at Nicholls while U-N-O visits Northwestern State while Southeaastern Louisiana looks for a much needed win at home against Central Arkansas.

LSU’s search for a new defensive coordinator is finally over as the Tigers have hired Daronte Jones, who spent last season as the defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron told T-Bob Hebert on ESPN 104-5 in Baton Rouge that former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda suggested Jones…
cut 4 (10) “…outstanding job for us”
When Aranda was the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Jones served on his staff in 2015. Since then, Jones has also coached with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins. The Maryland native has also coached in Louisiana before as a safeties coach for Nicholls State in 2002 and a defensive coordinator for two high schools, Franklin and Jeanerette.

In other coaching news…former ULM and McNeese head coach Matt Viator has reportedly joined Billy Napier’s staff as U-L Lafayette.
___________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to snap a two-game losing streak tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are coming off an 82-69 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. Before that game, the Bayou Bengals were bounced by Alabama 105-75. Coach Will Wade on what the Tigers need to improve on…
Cut 17 (12) “..same old story”
The Aggies have also lost two in a row. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The Pelicans are 5-and-10 and looking to give some of their younger guards like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis more playing time. So the Athletic is reporting the Pels are looking at possibly trading Lonzo Ball and J-J Redick.

In baseball news, LSU pitchers Devin Fontenot and Jaden Hill have been named D1 Baseball pre-season All-Americans. Devin Fontenot returns for his senior season and will be one of the Tigers top arms out of the bullpen. Hill could potentially be the team’s Friday night starter.

LSU is reportedly close to hiring Minnesota Vikings Defensive Backs coach Daronte Jones as the team’s next defensive coordinator.  Coach Ed Orgeron was on “Off The Bench” with T-Bob Hebert and says that if the process continues to go well, he plans to have the entire defensive staff completed very soon.

Cut 5 (11) “pretty soon”

While Orgeron hopes to get a deal done soon, nothing is official with Jones yet.

Jones’s most recent stop at running a defense was Division II Bowie State where he spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator and had one of the top defenses in the nation.

In baseball news, LSU baseball pitchers Devin Fontenot and Jaden Hill have been named D1 Baseball pre-season All-Americans.  Devin Fontenot returns for his senior season and will be one of the leaders of this year’s squad.  Hill looks to have a big junior year and could potentially be the team’s Friday night starter.

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to stop a two-game losing streak tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M.  Javonte Smart and Cam Thomas are two guys who didn’t shoot the ball well in losses to Alabama and Kentucky. Coach Will Wade expects they will bounce back soon…

Cut 18 (18) “be fine”

Smart was held to six points versus Kentucky.

The game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs has been postponed due to Covid-19 concerns.  There have now been 22 games postponed so far in the NBA season.  The Pelicans next game is scheduled for tomorrow at 8 p.m. against the Washington Wizards.

Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the Cajuns’ road games on Friday and Saturday at Texas State.  It is unclear when coach Marlin will be able to return to the team.

There are reports that LSU has finally found a defensive coordinator. Bruce Feldman with the Athletic reports that Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones is expected to become the Tigers new defensive coordinator. He’s spent the last five seasons coaching defensive backs with the Vikings, Bengals and Dolphins and also worked under former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda when he was at Wisconsin.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has gone from being cut by the Jaguars to one win away from being a Super Bowl champion. Fournette had a rocky three-year run in Jacksonville that included injuries, a one-game suspension, and getting arrested in 2019 for driving on a suspended driver’s license. While the rest of his Tampa Bay teammates were celebrating Sunday after the victory over the Packers, Fournette called his parents…
Cut 30 (12) “…in the playoff.”
_________________________________________________________
The LSU men’s basketball team will look to stop a two-game losing streak tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers topped the Aggies earlier this season 77-54, but Coach Will Wade still looks at A-and-M as a tough matchup because of their height and physical play…
Cut 16 (20) “us the most”
The Tigers are coming off an 82-69 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. The Aggies are also on a two-game losing streak and lost last Saturday to Ole Miss 61-50.

Last night’s Pelicans-Spurs game was postponed as neither team had eight available players after COVID-19 contact tracing. New Orleans next scheduled game is Wednesday against the Washington Wizards

All three former LSU running backs that played in Sunday’s NFC and AFC championship games scored a touchdown. In the AFC title game, former Tigers standout Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrell Williams got into the end zone as the Chiefs beat the Bills 38-24. And in the NFC title game, Leonard Fournette had a spectacular 20-yard touchdown run as Tampa Bay topped Green 31-26. Former LSU Tiger Devin White also had a fumble recovery and 15 tackles for the Buccaneers. Super Bowl 55 between the Bucs and Chiefs will be February seventh in Tampa Bay.

It appears the Saints are losing quarterback coach Joe Lombardi. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Lombardi is set to be the new offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.

After a difficult one and five road trip, the Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center tonight to host the San Antonio Spurs. New Orleans is 5-and-10, while the Spurs are 8-and-8.

The LSU men’s basketball team has its first two game losing streak as the Tigers lost to Kentucky on Saturday 92-86. That follows a loss to Alabama. In both games the Tigers got off to a slow start. LSU sophomore forward Trendon Watford…
cut 17 (20) “…accountable”
LSU is at Texas A-and-M tomorrow night.

The Ragin Cajuns completed their first two game sweep of a conference opponent as U-L Lafayette held off Arkansas State 77-74 for a second straight win over the Red Wolves. On Saturday, Cal transfer Jacobi Gordon had a career-high 14 points…
Cut 18 (08) “…from here”
The Cajuns are Texas State this weekend.

During his season ending press conference with reporters, Coach Sean Payton once again said that the next Saints starting quarterback is likely in the building…
cut 18 (29) “>…and personal”
Taysom Hill has one more year left on his two-year, 21-million dollar contract, while Jameis Winston can become a free agent. Also, still no official word on Drew Brees’ retirement.

The Pelicans lost to Utah last night 129 to 118 as New Orleans has lost seven of its last eight. New Orleans is at Minnesota. A Chance to get a win against the 3-and-10 Timberwolves.

Eight former LSU Tigers will play in the NFC and AFC championship games. The Bucaneers have three former Tigers, Devin White, Leonard Fournette and Kevin Minter. The Chiefs also have three, including running back Clyde Edwards who is questionable for their game against the Bills.

In college hoops, ULM looks to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they host Texas State. The Bobcats have won three in a row and they lead the Sun Belt Western Division with a 3-and-1 conference mark. Warhawks Coach Keith Richard (Ree-shard) says Texas State plays great team basketball…
Cut 19 (19) “…figure scorers.”

In college basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech is at UTEP, while the Ragin’ Cajuns will host the Arkansas State on the hardwood at 6 p.m.

Tomorrow, LSU is at Kentucky, while Southeastern Louisiana hosts Northwestern State.