The Pelicans closed out the 2019-20 season last night with a 133 to 127 loss to the Orlando Magic. New Orleans top players did not play so that resulted in Frank Jackson leading the way for New Orleans as he scored a career-high 31 points. Rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a career-high 29 points. The Pels went two and six in the bubble and finish with an overall record of 30-42. Now we wait to see if the Pelicans retain head coach Alvin Gentry.

Former LSU president F King Alexander says it’s a big gamble for the SEC to play football in the fall and there are serious consequences if they lose. Alexander is the current president at Oregon State and told the local paper there that the SEC is not looking at the reality of the situation.

The NCAA has canceled championships for fall collegiate sports. But that does not include the F-B-S playoffs, as the conferences run the College Football playoff.

The Saints have announced they will not have fans in the Dome for the season opener against Tampa Bay on September 13th. Safety Marcus Williams says it will be not be the same without the Who Dats in the Dome…
cut 16 (16) “…do our job”
Meanwhile, tight ends in the NFL are getting paid. The Chiefs and Travis Kelce have agreed to a four-year, 57-million dollar contract, while 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle has agreed to a five-year, 75-million dollar contract. That’s the richest contract ever for a tight end.

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron presents Governor John Bel Edwards with a National Championship ring. This morning Coach O shared a photo with the governor on Twitter thanking him for all he has done for the state and the tigers.

There will be no football games this fall for Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese and Northwestern State. The Southland Conference has postponed fall sports because of the coronavirus pandemic and the goal is to hold league competition in football, volleyball, women’s soccer and cross country in the spring. After that announcement was made, the NCAA says it will not hold championships for fall sports. That does not include the college football playoff for FBS teams. The NCAA does not govern the C-F-P.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a 133 to 127 loss to the Orlando Magic. Frank Jackson had 31 points in a losing effort. New Orleans went one and seven in the bubble and Zion Williamson did not play last night. Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday were also held out. Williamson says he has no issues with how the team limited his playing time this season. A big question is whether Alvin Gentry will return next season.

The Saints kick off the season on September 13th against Tampa Bay, but Who Dat Nation will not be in the Superdome. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Highly productive tight ends in the NFL are getting paid! The Chiefs and Travis Kelce have agreed to a four-year, 57-million dollar contract extension. All-Pro tight end George Kittle and San Francisco have agreed to a five-year, 75-million dollar contract extension.

The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition for football and other fall sports to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Tom Burnett says questions surrounding the long-term effects of the virus was a factor in their decision
Cut 3 (10) “…had COVID”
The league is giving schools the option of playing nonconference games in the fall, but McNeese, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State have decided to wait until the spring.

So that means the Ragin Cajuns season opener against McNeese has been canceled. U-L Lafayette has three openings on its schedule. Southeastern Louisiana will not play Tulane this year, but Houston Baptist says they remain committed to playing Louisiana Tech on September 19th.

The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13th will go on without any fans in attendance. Team President Dennis Lauscha says fanless games means the Black and Gold losses its dome field advantage.
Cut 8 (11) “…a big play.”
Lauscha is cautiously optimistic that fans will be allowed at games at some point during the season.

The Pelicans have been cautious with rookie Zion Williamson all season long and he will not play in tonight’s final game of the year. That means Williamson appeared in just 24 games during his first year in the NBA. But the number one pick says he does not have an issue with how the team handled his playing time. Williamson says he’ll look to make improvements on the court and in the weight room during the offseason.

The Southland Conference has announced it will not play its league schedule in football, vollyeball, soccer and cross country in the fall and they’ll look to play those seasons during the spring semester. Commissioner Tom Burnett says the health and safety of their student athletes led to the decision, but they look forward to a unique spring season…
cut 4 (09) “….it will occur”
And the Southland is also giving its schools the opportunity to play non-conference games this fall. Louisiana Tech says Houston Baptist plans to play the Bulldogs on September 19th, but Southeastern Louisiana will not play Tulane in the season opener.

President Donald Trump says he spoke with LSU football coach Ed Orgeron about playing college football. Mr. Trump did not disclose any details, but the president is a supporter of college football in the fall and not the spring.

When the Saints kickoff the season on September 13th against Tampa Bay, there will be no fans in the Superdome. Team President Dennis Lauscha says the spread of the coronavirus in the region is too high, but if it comes down, they have plans in place to welcome fans to the Dome…
cut 7 (08) “…to our games’

A legal expert warns that schools who chose to play fall sports face a real threat of COVID-related lawsuits from players down the road.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints announce there will be no fans in the Superdome for the season opener against Tampa Bay on September 13th. Earlier this week, team officials met with Governor Edwards and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to discuss fans in the Dome and made the decision that it’s not a good idea for the first home game. The team says its cautiously optimistic that fans will be able to attend the next home game on September 27th.

We are a month away from the season opener against the new-look Buccaneers. Coach Sean Payton was asked about preparing for their week one opponent without the benefit of preseason games…
cut 20 (20) “….unique”

President Donald Trump says he spoke with LSU football coach Ed Orgeron about playing college football. Mr. Trump did not disclose any details, but the president is a supporter of college football in the fall and not the spring.

Liability concerns are reportedly one of the leading factors in why the Big Ten and PAC 12 suspended fall sports. Legal analyst Tim Meche says there’s already precedent for wide-scale health-related sports lawsuits.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…schools.”

The Big 12 has released a new conference only schedule that will start on September 26th. The Big 12 title game is scheduled for December 12th.

The Pelicans final game of the 2019-20 season is tonight against the Orlando Magic at 8 PM. Zion Williamson has been ruled out, so the number one pick will only play in 24 games during his rookie season.

Saints officials reportedly met with Governor Edwards and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to discuss plans for fans at Saints games. A report from the Athletic’s Jeff Duncan says the state will need to move into Phase three in order to have limited seating in the Dome. The state will be in phase two through August 28th, the season opener is September 13th.

The Pelicans lost again last night dropping their record to one and six inside the NBA bubble. Brandon Ingram says he experience in Orlando will only make them better…
cut 20 (23) “….make playoffs”
The Pelicans season ends tomorrow against Orlando.

The SEC, ACC and Big 12 are planning to play football this fall, while the Big 12 and PAC 10 have made the decision to sit on the sidelines. Derek Stingley Senior, the father of star cornerback Derek Stingley Junior, was on Tiger Rag Radio last night and talked about LSU’s efforts to prevent a COVID outbreak within the team…
cut 30 (25) “…have a spotter”

According to the Monroe News-Star, ULM has administered a combined 971 PCA and antibody COVID-19 tests since mid-June to players on eight different sports and only 13 posiitves. Receiver Brandius Batiste and linebacher Rashaad Harding have opted out from the upcoming season.

The SEC, ACC and Big 12 say they are committed to playing football in the fall, while the Big 10 and Pac-12 will watch from the sidelines. So can you still have a college football playoff in early January with just three of the five power five conferences. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins believes you can….
cut 30 (16) “…to play”
The Big 12 released its revised schedule today. Their season will kick off on September 26th and the Big 12 championship game is set for September 26th.

Penn State cornerback D-J Brown has announced on Twitter that he plans to play at Louisiana Tech as a graduate transfer and he’ll have two years of eligiblity. Brown appeared in seven games last season for the Nittany Lions.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a down year last season for his standards and admits he played most of the year with an injured knee. Kamara says he was never the same after injuring the MCL in his knee during week six of last season…
cut 17 (25) “….be on the field”
Kamara says surgery was not required on his knee, but he’s worked hard to rehab it and he also turned to a plant-based diet.

The Pelicans lost again last night, falling to the Kings 112 to 106. New Orleans’ final game of the season is tomorrow. Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson did not play last night.

It’s still game on for the SEC when it comes to football in the fall. The Big 10 and PAC-12 have made the difficult decision not to play football in the fall because of the health risks associated with COVID-19. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement that says he looks forward to learning more about the factors that led to the Big 10 and PAC-12 deciding to punt football from the fall. Sankey added that the SEC will continue to further refine its policies and protocols for a safe return to sports. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU for the USA Today Network and says the SEC’s decision to start its football season in late September is giving them more time…
cut 12 (09) “….definition”
The ACC and Big 12 also remain committed to playing football in the fall.

The Pelicans lost again last night, falling to the Kings 112 to 106. New Orleans’ final game of the season is tomorrow. Leading scorer Brandon Ingram did not play last night as he’s set to become a restricted free agent in the fall, but the All-Star says he wants to stay in New Orleans…
cut 19 (23) “….I”m at”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Kamara says he’s changed his diet as he’s set to enter his fourth season…
cut 18 (19) “….still positive”

With Lousiana remaining in Phase two until at least August 28th, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association has made the decision to delay the start of the prep football season until October 8th. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the goal is to play a six to eight game regular season schedule and hold the select and non-select state championships in the Superdome in December. In order for the season to start, the state needs to move into Phase 3 and still continue to see cases decrease over a two week period. Bonine is hopeful the state is turning the corner in its efforts in slowing the COVID spread and we’ll have football in the fall…
cut 9 (05) “….anything done”

The Pelicans will look to get a win this afternoon as they take on Sacramento in the Walt Disney World bubble. The Grizzlies lost to Utah yesterday, so New Orleans now two games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Saints are giving their coaches, players, and other key personnel the opportunity to stay at the Loews Hotel in downtown New Orleans through the season opener in an effort to prevent a coronavirus outbreak within the team. Coach Sean Payton says unfortunately with this virus, you can easily get it from someone inside your home
Cut 16 (13) “outside contact”

Over in Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns begin preseason camp with heavy hearts as they mourn the death of the assistant coach D-J Looney, who died on Saturday from a heart attack following a team workout at Cajun Field. Looney was just 31-years-old. Coach Billy Napier says being together as a group during this difficult time is a good thing…
cut 30 (10) “….difficult moments

The SEC says it will allow its member schools to start preseason camp on August 17th and teams will get to practice 25 times over a 40-day period. The father for LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase tells the Advocate that his son is locked in on the 2020 football season and does not plan on opting out.

LSU fans are antsy to find out more about the fate of their upcoming All-SEC game season, and whether or not they’ll be able to watch games in Tiger Stadium. Governor John Bel Edwards says it is too soon to speculate as to what in-stadium attendance for LSU football will look like…
Cut 9 (11) “…you that today.”

Northwestern State announced today it’s limiting seating capacity at Turpin Stadium to 50-percent and fans will be required to wear masks until that fan reaches their seat.

The LHSAA Executive Committee meets today to discuss the upcoming fall sports season. The governor has announced the state will remain in Phase 2 through August 28th and Louisiana needs to be in Phase 3 for volleyball competition and beyond Phase 3 to play football. So that means football will not be able to start on time.

The NCAA announced today a decision must be made by August 21st on whether fall championship events will be held. This will impact F-C-S football teams who report for preseason camp this week. The NCAA is also setting up a phone number and email so that college athletes, parents and others can report failures in following COVID-19 protocols.

In the NBA, Portland beat Houston 110-102 last night to move into 9th place in the Western Conference Standings, behind Memphis. The Grizzlies have announced that forward-center Jaren Jackson Senior is done for the season with a knee injury. The Pels face Sacramento tomorrow.