The New Orleans Saints have advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs after a victory over the Chicago Bears.  The Saints led 7-3 but dominated the second half in route to a 21-9 victory.  The defense held Chicago to 239 total yards and just one third-down conversion.  New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns.  Here’s Brees on the performance…

Cut 16 (20) “great teams do”

The Saints play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The winner of the Saints-Bucs will take on the winner of the Rams-Packers game in the NFC Championship game.

Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah Mitchell announced Sunday that he will enter the 2021 NFL draft.  He joins the other half of the Cajuns’ running back duo, Trey Ragas, who declared for the draft on Thursday.  Mitchell ran for over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns this season.

The LSU men’s basketball team cruised to a 75-61 win over Ole Miss on Saturday.  Trendon Watford had a game-high 21 points to go along with 6 rebounds, while Javonte Smart added 17 points and 6 assists.  The Tigers played well despite losing star Cam Thomas in the first half due to injury.  Head Coach Will Wade said he was pleased with the performance.

Cut 28 (25) “our guys”

In high school football news, two high-profile coaching changes are set to take place as Frank Monica will reportedly retire as St. Charles head coach.  Monica has coached for 51 years and won state titles at St. Charles, Lutcher, and Riverside.  Also, Lafayette Christian and Coach Jacarde Carter have parted ways.  The school says it was mutual, however, Carter claims he was fired and it wasn’t mutual.

The Saints didn’t have much trouble beating Chicago yesterday as the defense kept the Bears out of the end zone until the final play of the game in a 21-9 NFL wildcard victory. The defense held Chicago to 239 total yards and just one third-down conversion. On offense, quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns while running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 99 yards and a score after missing last Sunday’s game due to a COVID positive test. Kamara says he felt fresh after not playing last week or practicing leading up to the game…
cut 17 (17) “….didn’t miss a beat”
New Orleans advances to the NFC Division round where they’ll meet Tampa Bay for a third time this season. The Saints will need to beat the Bucs for a third time this season to advance to the NFC title game.

The LSU men’s basketball team didn’t have much time to prepare for Ole Miss but still handled the Rebels 75-61 on Saturday night. The game was set up the day before after the Tigers originally scheduled game against Missouri was called off because of COVID issues involving the Mizzou basketball program. The Tigers are 3-and-1 in the SEC heading into Wednesday’s home game against Arkansas.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech split a pair of games against Western Kentucky. After four games in the Sun Belt, ULM and the Ragin Cajuns are 2-and-2. Nicholls has a two-game winning streak after beating Southeastern Louisiana 87-67 on Saturday. McNeese is off to an 0-2 start in league play after losing at home on Saturday to Northwestern State 78-75.

After a disappointing homestand, the Pelicans are at Dallas tonight looking to snap a three-game losing streak. It’s the start of a seven-game road trip for New Orleans. Tip off is at 7:30.

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.