LSU right-hander Landon Marceaux struck out a career-high 12 hitters as the Tigers took game one of their series with South Carolina by beating the Gamecocks five to one last night. The Bayou Bengals improve to four and nine in the SEC.

13th ranked Louisiana Tech begins its big four-game Conference USA series tonight against Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are 10-and-2 in league play and lead the West Division, while the Golden Eagles are eight and three.

The Ragin Cajuns series at South Alabama has been moved back a day because of the weather. It will now start tomorrow and end on Monday.

LSU’s leading scorer from last season, freshman guard Cam Thomas has declared for the NBA draft, joining Trendon Watford, Javonte Smart and Darius Days, who are also entering the draft. Men’s basketball coach Will Wade says he’s looking at the transfer portal to fill the big holes on his roster…
cut 19 (09) “….or two”
The LSU spring football game is tomorrow at noon. While the spring game doesn’t count in the win/loss column, head coach Ed Orgeron says he wants his team to be competitive.
Cut 16 (10) “…rotate some players.”
Orgeron says Max Johnson will take the first snaps with the first-team offense, but he says the battle for starting quarterback is far from decided.

Johnson’s younger brother gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers. Jake Johnson, who is rated as the nation’s number one tight end in the class oo 2022, announced his commitment yesterday afternoon. He’s six-foot-five, 210 pounds and gives LSU 12 commitments in the Class of 2022.

Tomorrow is the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. Grambling hasn’t played in a month because of COVID cases within the football program. The Tigers are expected to be short-handed, as several players will play because of COVID protocol.

The LSU baseball team looks to build on last weekend’s series victory over Kentucky when they host 10th ranked South Carolina for a three-game series starting tonight. U-S-C also has the third-best team ERA in the SEC and LSU has the second-worst batting average in SEC games at .237, but the bats showed signed of life in the series win over the Wildcats. Catcher Hayden Travinski from Shreveport on the players’ mindset at the plate.

Cut 20 (12) “about it”

First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 6:30.

The Pelicans three-game winning streak came to an end last night as they fell to the New York Knicks 116-106. Former Pelican Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks, scoring 32 points on the night. Brandon Ingram poured in 28 points in the loss and Zion Williamson added 25.

Grambling State and Southern will do battle in the Bayou Classic on Saturday.  While no band and only limited fans are allowed to attend the game, Grambling head coach Broderick Fobbs says this will still be a big-time game.

Cut 16 (12) “looking forward to it”

The NCAA Division One Council has voted to end the requirement that student-athletes sit out a year when transferring to another school. This rule that takes effect next season will allow undergraduate athletes to transfer one-time without having to sit out a full season.

In basketball news, LSU guard Aundre Hyatt has officially entered the transfer portal. Hyatt started 15 games for the Tigers and was a key contributor in LSU’s win over St. Bonaventure in the NCAA tournament.

The LSU baseball team looks to build on last weekend’s series victory over Kentucky when they host 10th ranked South Carolina for a three-game series starting tonight. The Gamecocks are 22 and 9 overall and 8-and-4 in the SEC. U-S-C also has the third-best team ERA in the league. Coach Paul Mainieri says the Gamecocks pitching staff is loaded with power arms.
cut 19 (20) “…strikeouts an inning”
LSU has the second-worst batting average in SEC games at .237.

The Pelicans scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter and lost to the Knicks 116 to 106 last night to end their three-game losing streak. Zion Williamson 25 points in a losing effort.

Free agency is coming to college athletics as the NCAA Division One Council has voted to end the requirement that student-athletes sit out a year when transferring to another school. Starting next season all athletes will be allowed to transfer one time before graduating without having to miss a year of competition.

In basketball, LSU guard Aundre Hyatt has entered the transfer portal. He started 15 games last season and averaged four points and three rebounds a game.

Southern and Grambling continue to prepare for Saturday’s Bayou Classic in Shreveport. Tigers Coach Broderick Fobbs on what he sees from the Jags…
cut 18 (17) “….want to do”
Grambling is 0-3 in the spring and they haven’t played a game in nearly a month because of COVID cases within the program.

A big four-game series starts on Friday for 13th ranked Louisiana Tech as they host Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have won the last two Conference USA baseball tournament championships. But trail the Bulldogs for first place in the West Division this year by a game and a half. Tech took three of four from Southern Miss earlier this season and Coach Lane Burroughs knows they will be ready to play…
Cut 17 (18) “…retain it.”
The Golden Eagles had won seven in a row before getting shut out by South Alabama on Tuesday.

LSU will start its SEC series tomorrow night against 11th ranked South Carolina. The Gamecocks have won three in a row and coming off a series victory over Missouri. South Carolina has the third-best team ERA in the SEC and Wes Clarke leads the league in home runs with 15.

Southern and Grambling are preparing for Saturday’s 47th annual Bayou Classic which will take place in Shreveport. The Jaguars are three and one in this unique spring season, while the Tigers are 0-and-3 and they have not played since March 20th because of COVID issues. Southern Coach Dawson Odums knows the Tigers will be hungry for a victory…
cut 19 (13) “….for us”
Kick off from Independence Stadium is at 1:30.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill waiting to be heard in the ongoing regular session that would require the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says the Anthem is a unifying force and she recalls her first trip to a sporting event following nine-eleven…
cut 24 (08) “….our lungs”
Earlier in the NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks were not playing the national anthem before their games until Commissioner Adam Silver ordered them to do so.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking for a fourth-straight win as they host the New York Knicks tonight at 7:00.  New Orleans will see a familiar face return to the Smoothie King Center as former Pels forward Julius Randle is leading the Knicks with 23 points per game.

It’s Bayou Classic Week as Southern and Grambling are set to meet this Saturday in Shreveport. Usually, these two football rivals are playing in New Orleans at the Superdome during Thanksgiving weekend. Jaguars Coach Dawson Odums was asked if it feels like the Bayou Classic Week.

Cut 18 (21) “get ready to play”

The 13th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team is preparing to welcome Southern Miss to J-C Love Field for a four-game series that will start Friday night in Ruston. It’s a matchup of the top two teams in Conference USA’s West Division. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says it’s one of the bigger series in the program’s history.

Cut 16 (21) “the other way”

The NCAA Division I Council could approve legislation that would allow undergraduate athletes in all sports to transfer one time without needing to sit out a year of competition.  They could also implement notification deadlines for transfers.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron says they’ll keep it vanilla for Saturday’s spring game inside Tiger Stadium. The Tigers have been dealing with injuries at the running back position and Orgeron says John Emery will not scrimmage on Saturday, but should be ready for the regular season…
cut 22 (22) “…ready to go” (3x)
The defense will not have cornerback Eli Ricks who is out after undergoing surgery and defensive lineman Ali Gaye is also questionable for Saturday.

The Pelicans will host the New York Knicks tonight as New Orleans is seeking its fourth straight win. Former Pel Julius Randle is leading the Knicks as he’s averaging a career-best 23 points a game.

Because of the stormy weather, there was no college baseball last night. A big four-game series starts on Friday for 13th ranked Louisiana Tech as they host Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have won the last two Conference USA baseball tournament championships. But trail the Bulldogs for first place in the West Division this year by a game and a half. Tech took three of four from Southern Miss earlier this season and Coach Lane Burroughs knows they will be ready to play…
Cut 17 (18) “…retain it.”

LSU will start its SEC series tomorrow against 11th ranked South Carolina. The Gamecocks have won three in a row and coming off a series victory over Missouri. South Carolina has the third-best team ERA in the SEC and Wes Clarke leads the league in home runs with 15.

Because of the stormy weather in Baton Rouge, there will be no LSU baseball game tonight against Grambling. The Tigers were hoping to build momentum heading into their upcoming series against South Carolina, which will start Thursday night at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU started swinging the bats better this past weekend at Kentucky. Cade Beloso broke out of his season-long slump with five hits. Coach Paul Mainieri knew Beloso would catch fire…
cut 17 (16) “….such a rutt”

Louisiana Tech starting pitcher Jonathan Fincher has been named Conference USA’s Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. He threw his second complete-game shutout of the season on Friday in a win over Rice. Fincher now has an ERA of 1.35. Tech will host Southern Miss this weekend.

Ragin Cajuns pitcher Connor Cooke has been named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week. Cooke had a great outing against Arkansas State on Saturday as he threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout including 12 strikeouts and no walks.

In U-L Lafayette men’s basketball news…St. Thomas More All-State Guard Carter Domingue as committed to the Cajuns.

Southeastern Louisiana right-hander Brennan Stuprich earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors after tossing eight shutout innings in his last start, Stuprich struck out eight Abilene Christian batters in route to a 7-0 victory.

The Lions football team is ranked 17th in the latest FCS Top 25 poll after beating Nicholls in the River Bell Classic. S-L-U has another Top 25 match-up this Saturday as they’ll visit 18th ranked Southern Illinois at noon.

Nicholls fell to 21st in the poll as the Colonels finished the spring season with a four and three record.

The LSU Tigers’ bats finally came alive in their series victory over Kentucky as they scored 15 runs on Friday before bringing eight runs across the plate on Saturday.  A lot of different players came up with big hits and coach Paul Mainieri says that makes the lineup more well-rounded because…
Cut 16 (16) “waiting”
Today’s baseball game between LSU and Grambling State has been postponed due to the threat of severe weather in the Baton Rouge area. The two schools will attempt to reschedule the game later this season.

The New Orleans Pelicans got their third straight win last night as they took down the Sacramento Kings 117-110. The Pels were up by as much as 23 points at half time but Sacramento came back in the second half to make it a game. Brandon Ingram had a big night offensively, scoring a team-high 34 points. Forward Zion Williamson added 30 of his own and New Orleans is now just 4 games under .500 after the win with a 25-29 record.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team grabbed a series victory over Arkansas State winning two out of three this weekend.  The Cajuns were carried by their offense as they had 38 hits and 30 runs this weekend.  Head coach Matt Deggs says his team was able to hit despite some new faces in the lineup.
Cut 18 (10) “on the board)
Ragin Cajuns pitcher Connor Cooke has been named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week. Cooke had a great outing against Arkansas State on Saturday as he threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout including 12 strikeouts and no walks.

Southeastern Louisiana right-hander Brennan Stuprich earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors after tossing eight shutout innings in his last start, Stuprich struck out eight Abilene Christian batters in route to a 7-0 victory.

Louisiana Tech’s Jonathan Fincher has been named Conference USA pitcher of the for a second time this season after a shutout of Rice. Fincher is now 6-0.

LSU baseball had a good weekend at the plate which led to its first SEC series victory of the year, despite losing yesterday 13 to 4 to Kentucky. The Tigers won 15 to 2 on Friday and eight to six on Saturday. Shortstop Jordan Thompson went 8 for 12 and had a big RBI on Saturday night. Thompson says hard work has him feeling good at the plate…
cut 20 (20) “…I guess”

16th ranked Louisiana Tech completed a four-game sweep of Rice on Sunday with a 13 to four win over the Owls. Parker Bates hit his third home run and drove in four runs, while Kyle Crigger threw three shutout innings for his first save. The Bulldogs are 10-and-2 in Conference USA.

The Ragin Cajuns eight-game winning streak ended yesterday with a 16-11 loss to Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette committed two errors that led to eight unearned runs and the Cajuns also walked nine hitters, while U-L batters struck out 13 times. Coach Matt Deggs says that all led to the loss…
Cut 16 (17) “…our loss.”
The Cajuns are 20-12 overall, 7-and-2 in conference play and in first place in the Sun Belt West. ULM was swept at Georgia Southern, scoring just five runs on the weekend.

Southeastern Louisiana turned a school-record five double plays to help the Lions blank Abilene Christian seven to nothing. The Lions are in first place by a half-game over McNeese. The Cowboys swept UIW this past weekend as Christian Vega allowed one run over six innings.

Grambling moved a half-game ahead of Southern for first place in the SWAC Western Division as the Tigers took two of three from the Jags.

Zion Williamson had 38 points as the Pelicans defeated Cavaliers 116 to 109 win over Cleveland. New Orleans hosts Sacramento tonight. The Kings have lost six in a row.

LSU snapped a six game SEC losing streak in a major way on Friday night as the Fighting Tigers trounced Kentucky 15-to-2 in Lexington. LSU hit three homers as Dylan Crews, Gavin Dugas and Tre Morgram each went yard. Hayden Travinski and Cade Beloso each had four RBIs. Landon Marceaux allowed one earned run on seven hits and struck out eight for the win. Game two of the series is at 5:30.

Louisiana Tech blanked Rice six to nothing. Jonathan Fincher tossed a complete game shutout to improve to 6-and-0 on the season. Third baseman Hunter Wells had four hits and drove in two runs in his home state. It’s the seventh time the Bulldogs have blanked their opponent this season.

The Ragin Cajuns won their seventh straight as they downed Arkansas State ten to three. Number nine hitter Brett Borgogno had five runs driven in. Brandon Talley tossed three shutout innings for his fifth save. The series continues today at Russo Park at 4 PM.

The Pelicans got a huge game from Zion Williamson and defeated the 76ers 101 to 94 last night. Williamson had 37 points, a career-high 15 rebounds and tied a career high with eight assists. Brandon Ingram played in his first game since March 29th and scored 17 points and had eight rebounds. The 94 points was the third fewest allowed in a game this year. New Orleans is at Cleveland tomorrow.

LSU forward Darius Days has entered his name into the NBA draft after averaging 12 points and eight rebounds a game last season. He joins Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart as the other Tigers who have decided to turn pro. Freshman Cam Thomas is also expected to turn pro.

In college football…Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls in the River Bel Classic at 3 PM on Cox Sports Television at 3 PM. The Colonels are looking for their third straight win over the Lions. McNeese visits Sam Houston. The Cowboys are coming off a big win over Nicholls while Northwestern is at 19th ranked UIW. It’s the Demons last chance to win a game this spring.