When the NBA season resumes there will be five teams within four games of each other trying to get that final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Memphis currently occupy the eighth seed in the West, but hot on the Grizzlies trail are Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, and San Antonio. Memphis and the Trail Blazers have the hardest schedules left, while the Pelicans have the easest. Six of the eight teams that the Pels will play have a losing record. Whoever gets the eighth seed in the West, will likely play the Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. L-A is reportedly close to signing veteran J-R Smith.

Several major-league players will not play in 2020 because of health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. The World Series champion Nationals will not have first baseman Ryan Zimmerman or pitcher Joe Ross. Arizona pitcher Mike Leake says he’s not playing and the same for Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond.

LSU announces that senior pitcher Matthew Beck from Alexandria will wear number eight in 2021. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassmen who exemplifies the spirit of LSU Baseball through his leadership and dedication to the program. Beck has been a solid pitcher out of the bullpen for the Tigers, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.66 ERA in 77 career appearances.

Louisiana Tech says eight of its players are competing in summer league action across the South. Cole McConnell, Logan McLeod, Jack Payne, Ben Brantley, Joseph Carbone, Adarius Myers, Kyle Crigger, and Manny Garcia are getting a chance to play after a shortened 2020 season.

Former LSU safety Eric Monroe has reportedly decided to transfer to Texas Tech. Monroe was a highly rated defensive back out of the Houston area. In three seasons at LSU, Monroe had 21 tackles, most of those tackles occurred during his redshirt freshman season.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward previously said a decision will be made in July on whether fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium to watch football games this season. But a professor at the LSU School of Public Health says the COVID-19 risk is too high. Epidemiologist Edward Trapido told LSU’s student newspaper the Reveillie that he would not recommend fans at LSU games this year. One of his colleagues, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, calls it a logistical nightmare. An LSU spokesperson says the school remains hopeful that fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium, but a lot still has to be determined with respect to COVID.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is welcoming his players back on campus for voluntarily workouts, but he’ll do so in stages. Five players were expected to report today, another four or five players will return to campus on July 13th and the rest of the team will arrive at the end of July.

LSU announces that senior pitcher Matthew Beck from Alexandria will wear number eight in 2021. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassmen who exempilfies the spirit of LSU Baseball through his leadership and dedication to the program. Beck has been a solid pitcher out of the bullpen for the Tigers, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.66 ERA in 77 career appearances.

Louisiana Tech says eight of its players are competing in summer league action across the South. Cole McConnell, Logan McLeod, Jack Payne, Ben Brantley, Joseph Carbone, Adarius Myers, Kyle Crigger and Manny Garcia are getting a chance to play after a shortened 2020 season.

Several major league players have made the decision not to play in 2020 because health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. The World Series champs will not have first baseman Ryan Zimmerman or pitcher Joss Ross, and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake says he’s not playing as well.

Mandatory individual workouts will begin this week for the Pelicans as they get to resume their push for the playoffs when the season restarts in Orlando on July 30th. New Orleans will face the Utah Jazz on July 30th and the rest of the schedule features games against the Clippers, Grizzlies, two games against the Kings, the Wizards, Spurs and Magic. Based on current win-loss records, the Pels are the only team in Orlando who has a schedule against teams with a combined record below .500.

LSU sophomore linebacker Marcel Brooks has reportedly entered the NCAA player transfer portal. It’s unknown why Brooks is looking to leave LSU. Brooks showed flashes last season as a freshman and he was expected to have a significant role in Bo Pelini’s new four-three defense.

Cam Newton has found a new job in the NFL. The Patriots have signed the former NFL MVP to a one-year contract.

LSU epidemiologist Edward Trapido with the LSU School of Public Health tells the Reveille he would not recommend that fans watch games inside Tiger Stadium this season. One of Trapido’s colleagues, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, calls it a logistical nightmare. LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says the school still hopes fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium, but a lot still has to be determined by where we are as a state with respect to COVID.

In Webster Parish, offseason workouts have been shut down at all Webster Parish schools because of multiple positive coronavirus tests among student-athletes.

On the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship in Connecticut yesterday as he finished one shot ahead of Kevin Streelman. Johnson finished at 19-under par for his 21st PGA tour title.

Denny Hamlin held off Kevin Harvick at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. It’s Hamlin’s fourth victory of the season.

It’s still unknown how many NFL fans will be allowed inside stadiums this year, but the league has made the decision to prohibit anyone from sitting in the first eight rows. The Saints say they are already in the process of working with affected season-ticket holders. NBC Sports reports the NFL will sell advertising on the lower rows of seats this season.

NFL owners held a virtual meeting yesterday and they are still planning for training camp to start in late July. But the Hall of Fame Game between the Steelers and Cowboys on August sixth in Canton, Ohio has been canceled. The 2020 Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies have been postponed to 2021.

Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins calls the NFL a nonessential business and he’s not comfortable playing until the coronavirus risk is eliminated. Jenkins made his comments on CNN where he is now a paid contributor.

Ragin Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard has reportedly received a five-year contract extension. He’s been the school’s AD since 2017 and during that time he’s seen coach Billy Napier bring the football program to new heights. He’s also had to deal with the untimely death of baseball coach Tony Robichaux and now the coronavirus pandemic.

ULM has announced football coach Matt Viator has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him on the Warhawk sidelines through the 2022 season. The extension reportedly does not come with a raise in pay. The USA Today reports that Viator’s base salary is 390-thousand dollars and he can receive 50-thousand dollars in bonuses.

Bethune-Cookman is leaving the MEAC and they’ll join the SWAC, giving the Southwestern Athletic Conference 12 schools. It’s also the second school from Florida to join the SWAC in the last month. Florida A-and-M is also leaving the MEAC from the SWAC. Both schools will join the SWAC for the 2021-22 sports season.

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins said on C-N-N today that football is a nonessential business and the coronavirus risk would have to be eliminated for him to feel comfortable playing football this season. Jenkins says he also doesn’t want to put his parents at risk of getting sick.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says for high school football practice to start, Louisiana has to be in phase three of its reopening and it’s disappointing to see the increase in coronavirus cases. Bonine says they will not flip the fall sports season with the spring sports so that football can be played during the academic year. Bonine says there also no plans to push back the football season. That’s because they want to hold the Prep Classic December 11th and 12th.

The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game between the Cowboys and Steelers on August sixth in Canton, Ohio has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony has been postponed to 2021.

ULM has announced football coach Matt Viator has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him on the Warhawk sidelines through the 2022 season. The extension reportedly does not come with a raise in pay. The USA Today reports that Viator’s base salary is 390-thousand dollars and he can receive 50-thousand dollars in bonuses.

Former McNeese baseball player and head coach Todd Butler has returned to his alma mater and will serve as the school’s new Senior Associate Athletics Director. Butler will oversee ticketing and game promotions operations, work on fundraising and serve as a liaison to the athletic corporate sponsorships. Butler earned his degree from McNeese in 1991 and was the head coach of the Pokes from 2001 to 2003. His last job was as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Missouri.

In girls high school basketball…former LSU star Temeka Johnson has been named the new head coach at John Curtis, replace Barbara Farris, who accepted an assistant head coaching job at Stetson. Johnson is leaving as head coach of McKinley in Baton Rouge.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says in order for high schools to play football in August and September, the state needs to enter Phase 3 which allows for contact sports. Bonine says they will not flip the fall and spring sport seasons in order to make sure football gets played during upcoming the academic year. He says schools in approximately 23 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes have reported COVID-19 cases.

NFL owners will reportedly hold a zoom meeting tomorrow to discuss social justice programs, workplace diversity and preparations for the 2020 season.

Four-star offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger from Clarkston, Michigan, has committed to LSU. He’s rated as the 12th best offensive tackle by 24-7 sports. Dellinger is the first offensive lineman in the Tigers 2021 recruiting class.

Forbes reports that the state, New Orleans officials and the Pelicans made a bid to the NBA for the league to restart its season in New Orleans. Games would be played at the Smoothie King Center and players would stay at the Hyatt downtown. But sources say the league never seriously considered the city’s proposal.

A bill that places an eight-percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports contests is heading to the governor’s desk after it received final legislative approval. The money would generate about 375-thousand dollars a year. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says all of the money will go towards funding early childhood education…
cut 29 (02) “…committed to do that”
In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting. Residents in parishes who voted for it have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component in order to win cash prizes with fan duel and draft kings. Supporters say if the governor signs the bill, Louisiana residents would be able to play online fantasy sports contests this football season.

Two members from the Saints Super Bowl team will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame later this year. Offensive guard Jahri Evans and safety Roman Harper were both drafted in 2006 and were starters when the Black and Gold won the Super Bowl a few years later. Saints Coach Sean Payton says Evans and Harper were great players and had a tremendous impact in the lockerroom
Cut 17 (19) “…at safety”
Evans is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in franchise history. In his eleven seasons with the Saints, he was named to five All-Pro teams, including four consecutive first-team honors from 2009 to 2012.

The LHSAA executive committee meets today to discuss plans for fall sports and how they may handle any COVID-related delays or cancellations. Executive director Eddie Bonine says he remains optimistic they can get the seasons started on time.

Major League Baseball announces it will have a 60-game regular season that will start on July 23rd or 24th. Players will report for a second spring training on July 1st, most likely at the team’s home ballpark. The National League will have the designated hitter and in extra innings, a runner will start the inning standing on second base.

ULM athletic director Scott McDonald has told the News-Star that the Warhawks are still set to kick off the football season on September fifth versus Caly Poly at Malone Stadium. Grambling President Rick Gallot also told the News-Star that for now the Bayou Classic is still scheduled to be played in the Superdome.

Saints safety Roman Harper and offensive guard Jahri Evans were selected in the same draft class, now they are heading into the Saints Hall of Fame together. The induction ceremonies will take place later this year. New Orleans selected Harper in the second round out of Alabama in 2006. He played in 124 games with the Saints, with 108 starts. Harper recorded 775 tackles, seven sacks, 53 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Harper says the Saints have meant so much to his life…
cut 19 (17) “…to em”
Evans was drafted in the fourth round out of a small school in Pennsylvania called Bloomsburg University and he’s the only player in Saints history to be named first-team All-Pro four times.

The FBI says there will be no charges after a noose was found hanging in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway. The U-S Attorney’s office says based on their investigation the noose was hanging in garage number four since November and nobody could have known Wallace would be assigned to garage number four last week. NASCAR says the noose turned out to be a rope to pull down the garage door.

Major League Baseball will be back with a 60-game regular season that will start either July 23rd or 24th. M-L-B and its players association signed off on safety and health protocols yesterday. The designated hitter will be universal in both leagues this year and extra innings will start with a runner at second base.

The LHSAA executive committee meets today. They’ll discuss plans for fall sports and how they may handle any COVID-related dealys or cancellations. Executive director Eddie Bonine says he remains optimistic that they can get the seasons started on time.

The Saints announced today that two members from their Super Bowl team will be inducted in the team’s hall of fame later this year. Jahri Evans and Roman Harper were both drafted in 2006 and played big roles in helping the Black and Gold win the Super Bowl a few years later. The two combined to play in eight pro bowls. Also, longtime Saints Spanish radio broadcaster Marco Garcia will receive the Joe Gemelli “Fleur de Lis” award for his contributions to the organization.

The Athletic is reporting the NFL will not dictate attendance capacity limits for this season, instead the league has told teams that they should follow their local health COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing rules. A stadium reopening task force is expected to offer recommendations either next week or early July. If the entire season and postseason is played without fans, it will reportedly cost the NFL three billion dollars.

Nicholls State has named former Colonel football player and coach Jonathan Terrell as its new athletics director. Terrell is the first Black A-D in school history. He played quarterback and wide receiver for the Colonels in the mid-1990s and returned to Nicholls to serve as quarterbacks coach in 2004. Terrell has been a sales professional in private business and he’s also been president of the First Down Club.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. For the month of May, the state is reporting a 35-percent increase. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the rise in licenses sales began shortly after Governor Edwards issued a stay at home order. McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.
Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”
McClinton hopes the sales continue to increase as the revenue generated from the sale of these licenses is vital to the life of the department.

Ryan Blaney won the weather-delayed race at Talladega yesterday, but the story was the powerful moment that took place before the race. Drivers and the NASCAR industry showed their support for Bubba Wallace, by pushing his car to the front in a moving scene. This is in reaction to NASCAR’s admission that a noose was found in Wallace’s garage. Wallace is the only black driver on the circuit. Authorities have yet to determine who is responsible for the hanging of the noose.

Nicholls has hired former Colonels football player and coach Jonathan Terrell. He becomes the school’s first Black athletics director. Terrell played quarterback and wide receiver for Nicholls in the mid-1990s. Terrell was the school’s quarterbacks coach in 2004.

Ole Miss plans to retire Eli Manning’s number ten jersey. The New Orleans native won the Maxwell Award in 2003 and set or tied 47 single, season, and career Rebels records.

Major League Baseball and its players’ association could never come to an agreement on a return to play proposal, but we’ll still have baseball this season. Commissioner Rob Manfred has the power to implement a season and that’s what he’ll do. A 60-game regular season will begin in late July and players will report for a second spring training around July 1st.

Coronavirus concerns have forced longtime Eunice head football coach Paul Trosclair to resign. Trosclair has been battling multiple myeloma cancer since 2014 and is still taking chemo treatments. His doctor recommended that the risk of contracting the virus was too high if he continued to coach. The 64-year-old has won 247 games and led the Bobcats to a state championship in 2018. Offensive coordinator Andre Vige will take over as interim head coach.

In NFL news, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has officially signed his 31-million dollar franchise tag tender. Dallas and Prescott have until July 15th to reach a long-term deal. If not he’ll make 31-million dollars this season if they play 16 games.