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.

The LSU football team could make some coaching hires this week according to Head Coach Ed Orgeron.  The team is searching for an offensive and defensive coordinator this offseason and some names have surfaced as the top candidates.  LSU will reportedly interview a pair of offensive assistants with the Carolina Panthers in Jake Peetz and DJ Mangas for the offensive openings.  Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman could interview for the defensive coordinator job in Baton Rouge this week as he is considered a top candidate.

Alabama wide receiver and former Amite star Devonta Smith is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy tonight. A virtual awards ceremony will take place as Smith is one of four finalists. His high school football coach at Amite, Zephaniah Powell, says it’s amazing Smith might win the Heisman.

Cut 18 (18) “well deserved”

The New Orleans Pelicans lost a close one last night to the Indiana Pacers 118-116 in overtime.  Brandon Ingram led the way offensively for the Pelicans as he poured in a game-high 31 points, while forward Zion Williamson added a 24 point double-double.  Williamson says despite the loss, he saw some positives with his team.

Cut 28 (23) “keep improving

The Pelicans will host the Thunder tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The New Orleans Saints will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday for the first round of the NFL playoffs.  The Saints are hoping to be back to full strength after Michael Thomas has missed the past few games and running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray were absent for last Sunday’s game after being placed of the Covid-19 list.  Their status for the upcoming game is up in the air.

With the Saints set to host Chicago on Sunday, instead of Saturday, that opens the door for running back Alvin Kamara to play against the Bears. Kamara is on the reserve COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus on New Year’s Day. Coach Sean Payton says it remains to be seen if Kamara can play as he’s set to miss practice this week…
cut 16 (11) “…be smart”
It’s also expected that wide receiver Michael Thomas will play Sunday after ending the regular season on injured reserve with an ankle injury that has not fully healed since he hurt it in week one.

The Lions will reportedly interview Saints scouting directors Jeff Ireland and Terry Fontenot as they search for a new general manager. Detroit also wants to speak with Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell about their head coaching vacancy.

LSU will reportedly speak with Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz and offensive assistant DJ Mangas this week. Yahoo Sports says Peetz will interview for the offensive coordinator position and Mangas is up for the passing game coordinator job. Both men spent this past season with the Panthers, where former LSU assistant Joe Brady is the passing game coordinator. Mangas also spent 2019 as an offensive analyst at LSU.

Former Amite standout and Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith is the favorite to win the Heisman, which will be awarded tonight during a virtual ceremony. His high school football coach Zephania Powell says he’s seen Smith become more explosive during his time in Tuscaloosa…
cut 20 (10) “…off the ball”

The Pelicans blew a six-point lead in the final 20 seconds and lost to Indiana 118-116 in overtime to fall to 4-and-3 on the season last night.

The Saints were without their top running backs and starting safety Marcus Williams, but still crushed the Carolina Panthers 33-7. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees tossed three touchdown passes and the defense intercepted five passes. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson says he’s not surprised they didn’t miss a beat…
cut 17 (18) “…this thing”
The Saints will host the Chicago Bears this Sunday in an NFC playoff matchup. Since the game is on a Sunday, it increases the chances running back Alvin Kamara can return after testing positive for COVID. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says the team understands the importance of avoiding a COVID outbreak now that the postseason has arrived…
cut 10 (12) “…the playoffs”

The LSU basketball team fell to 1-1 in SEC play as they lost to Florida in Gainesville, 83-79. Field goal percentage was the key stat, as the Gators shot 50-percent from the field, while the Tigers shot 41-percent. LSU Coach Will Wade says his team missed a lot of shots near the rim
cut 20 (20) “….to finish.”
The Tigers will host Georgia on Wednesday.

Several LSU football players have announced they will return next season, including starting guard Ed Ingram, linebacker Micah Baskerville and defensive tackle Glen Logan. Linebacker Jabril Cox has announced he’s entering the draft, while tight end Arik Gilbert has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The Saints finished off a 12-4 regular season with a 33-7 win over the Carolina Panthers yesterday. New Orleans is the two seed in the NFC playoffs and will host Chicago this Sunday. Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins has won two Super Bowls and knows how to approach postseason football…
cut 9 (12) “…it is”
Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders made himself some extra money as he caught nine passes and eclipsed 60 for the season, which results in a 500-thousand dollar bonus. Sanders did a mini-celebration as soon as he caught his 60th pass on the year…
cut 18 (16) “…be out there”

There’s been a lot going on with the LSU football program. Center Liam Shanahan, linebacker Andre Anthony, defensive ends Ali Gaye and Neil Farrell and offensive guards Chasen Hines and Ed Ingram are returning. Tight end Arik Gilbert has entered the transfer portal and linebacker Jabril Cox has declared for the NFL draft.

Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman is expected to interview for the LSU defensive coordinator job. He’s 34-years-old and really wants to be a head coach. And Pete Thamel with Yahoo Sports reports LSU plans to talk with Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz about the Tigers vacant offensive coordinator position.

The NCAA announces the entire men’s basketball tournament will take place in Indiana and games will be played in Indianapolis, Bloomington and West Lafayette.

The Saints completed a sweep of NFC South opponents and have the second seed in the NFC playoffs after a dominating 33-7 win over Carolina. New Orleans won despite having five players on the reserve-COVID-19 list, including their top two running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Coach Sean Payton was asked about the COVID issues

Cut 16 (13) “…team win.”
The Saints could have received the top seed in the NFC playoffs and a first-round bye, but the Bears didn’t beat the Packers. So New Orleans will host Chicago on Sunday at 3:40 in the Superdome in a rematch of a November first game that the Black and Gold won in overtime.

LSU starting defensive end Andre Anthony and offensive guard Ed Ingram announces they will return for another season, while standout linebacker Jabril Cox has declared for the NFL draft.

The Pelicans continue their four-game homestand tonight as they host the Indiana Pacers. New Orleans has won two in a row and they are coming off a 120-116 win over the Raptors. Recently acquired guard Eric Bledsoe had a good game with 19 points and 10 assists. Coach Stan Van Gundy on Bledsoe trying to fit in
Cut 19 (19) “…more comfortable”
Bledsoe hit a big three-pointer with 42 seconds left to snap a 113 tie in Saturday’s win over the Raptors.

The LSU men’s basketball team suffered its first SEC loss on Saturday afternoon as they lost by four to Florida 83-79. The Tigers host Georgia on Wednesday.

ULM is off to a 2-and-0 start in the Sun Belt after beating Arkansas State in back-to-back games.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been placed on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus. And there’s a possibility he could miss a playoff game next week. New Orleans can still get the first seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. For that to happen, the Saints need to beat the Panthers tomorrow, the Packers have to lose to the Bears and Seattle must defeat San Francisco. Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will also miss Sunday’s game due to COVID.

Ohio State won last night’s Sugar Bowl and the Buckeyes will battle Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 11th in Miami. The Crimson Tide knocked off Notre Dame as former Amite (A-meet) star Devonta Smith caught seven passes and scored three touchdowns,

Also yesterday, Georgia defeated Cincinnati 24-21 and Northwestern knocked off Auburn 35-19.
_________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team started Sun Belt play last night with an 83-77 overtime win over Texas State. Devin Butts hit a career-high six three-pointers and finished with 22 points. Mylik Washingon had 21 points and eleven rebounds.

ULM also won its Sun Belt opener as the Warhawks defeated Arkansas State 84-72. Russell Harrison had 17 points.

Louisiana Tech was also a winner last night as the Bulldogs dribbled past Marshall 75-68, Kenneth Lofton and Isaiah Crawford each scored 15 points to help Tech win its Conference USA opener.

LSU is at Florida this afternoon. The Tigers are 6-1, while the Gators are 4-1. Tip-off is at 1 PM.

Southland Conference play begins today with Nicholls hosting Sam Houston at 5 PM in a game that can be seen on ESPN-plus.

The Pelicans host the Toronto Raptors. New Orleans beat the Raptors in the season opener and they are 3-and-2 on the season. The Raptors are 1-and-3. Tip-off is at 6:30.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara missed practice today after testing positive for COVID not once but twice and he’s now on the COVID list. Also, Kamara has been fined five-thousand dollars for wearing red and green shoes in his record tying six touchdown performance in the win over Minnesota on Christmas Day.

In his fourth season with the Black and Gold, Kamara is having his best season and is 68 yards away from a one-thousand yard rushing season. That’s a milestone he would like to reach
Cut 16 (20) “…stuff to do.”
New Orleans closes out the regular season Sunday at Carolina kick-off is 3:25.

The Sugar Bowl kicks off at 7 PM tonight in New Orleans as Ohio State and Clemson play in a revenge game for the Buckeyes who were denied last year by the Tigers. Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley…
Cut 13 (15) “…more exciting.”
Unfortunately due to the pandemic, only 3,000 fans will be allowed in to see the game in person.

Earlier today, Georgia won the Peach Bowl as they rallied to beat Cincinnati 24-21. 14th ranked Northwestern defeated Auburn 35-19 in the Citrus Bowl.

LA Tech, ULM and the Cajuns tip off conference basketball play tonight. The Bulldogs will host Marshall at 6:30. Monroe is riding a three-game losing streak into their home game against Arkansas State at 6 PM. UL Lafayette has won six in a row as they host Texas State.

The Saints can become the first team to finish 6-0 in the NFC South since the division was formed in 2002 if they can beat the Panthers in Carolina on Sunday afternoon. New Orleans enters the game with the league’s third-rated defense and ninth rated offense. They are seventh in the NFL in rushing and offensive tackle Terron Armstead on why they’ve been so successful on the ground this year…
cut 30 (24) “…for us”
The Saints can clinch the number one seed in the NFC with a win, a Packers loss and a Seahawks win to create a three-way tie for first place in the league standings and New Orleans owns the tiebreaker under that scenario.

Acadiana is the Class 5A champions in high school football again after a thrilling 35-34 win over Alexandria Senior High. The Trojans nearly rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes to win their first state title. It was a good prep classic for the Lafayette area as Acadiana, Carencro, and Lafayette Christian all won state titles.

In basketball, the Pelicans are at Oklahoma City tonight. New Orleans has failed to score over 100 points in its last three games and for the season they are shooting 30-percent from three-point territory. The tip-off is at 7.

Conference play begins Friday for La Tech, U-L Lafayette and ULM. The Bulldogs open Conference USA play by hosting Marshall on Friday and Saturday in the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs have won three in a row and are 7-2 on the season, while Thundering Herd are 6-and-1.

The Cajuns are six and one and they’ll host Texas State on Friday and Saturday in the Cajundome. The Bobcats are 6-and-3. ULM will host Arkansas State. The Warhawks have lost three in a row.