The LSU football team had a chance to see their new home last night as 23-million dollars in renovations to the football operations building has been completed. Based on social media posts, the players could not get over their new lockers. Each one has a pod that folds out, so players can take a nap in between classes or before and r practices and workouts. Equipment manager Greg Stringfellow says the facility also contains a nutrition center and the Tyrann Mathieu players lounge…
cut 4 (12) “…and recline”
LSU will allow the media to take a tour of the new facility tomorrow.

And LSU announces that former LSU basketball star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf will have jersey number 35 retired at a game during the upcoming season. Known as Chris Jackson during his playing days at LSU, the Gulfport, Mississippi, native was named as an All-American in 1989 and 1990 and he’s the only freshman to average 30-points a game.

Former Northwestern State basketball player Lee Smith was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. Smith pitched for 18 seasons in the majors after he found out his right arm was better than his jump shot. Smith had 478 saves, which ranks third all-time. Smith thanked his family from Castor, Louisiana for leading him into the hall.

In the majors last night, former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched very well in his first start in over a month as the Braves defeated the National seven to one. Gausman was on the Injured List with plantar fascitis and allowed five hits and one run in seven-plus innings with eight strikeouts.

The Pelicans have announced they re-signed forward Darius Miller, who averaged eight points a game last season.

Former McNeese golfer Robert MacIntyre finished in a tie for sixth place at the British Open. MacIntyre sunk a 25-foot birdie putt on 18 to finish five-under-par for the tournament. The Scotland native was on the McNeese golf team in 2014 and 2015.

LSU coaches and players had a chance to see the renovated football operations building last night and the biggest takeaway, pods at each player’s locker and the pod can be extended so a player can take a nap. Members of the media will get a chance to view the improved facility on Wednesday.

Former LSU Tiger Devin White has signed his first professional contract as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inked the first-round pick. White is expected to be a starter as an inside linebacker in Tampa Bay’s new 3-4 scheme.

But White is mourning the loss of his horse Daisy Mae, who died from dehydration. White kept Daisy Mae at a stable near LSU’s campus and on the day he took his final final exam in December, he rode the horse to class and later in Tiger Stadium.

Sun Belt Media Day is in New Orleans. The Ragin Cajuns have been picked to repeat as West Champs, while ULM is picked to finish in third place. The Warhawks were 6-and-6 last season and return 15 starters, including quarterback Caleb Evans.

Former Northwestern State basketball player Lee Smith was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. Smith pitched for 18 seasons in the majors after he found out his right arm was better than his jump shot. Smith had 478 saves, which ranks third all-time. Smith thanked his family from Castor, Louisiana for leading him into the hall.

In the majors last night, former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched very well in his first start in over a month as the Braves defeated the National seven to one. Gausman was on the Injured List with plantar fascitis and allowed five hits and one run in seven-plus innings with eight strikeouts.

Houston won its fifth straight as the Astros completed the sweep of the Rangers with a five to three win over Texas.

The Pelicans have announced they re-signed forward Darius Miller, who averaged eight points a game last season.

And former McNeese golfer Robert MacIntyre finished in a tie for sixth place at the British Open. Shane Lowry was the unexpected runaway winner.

An Orleans Parish judge is allowing a Saints fan’s lawsuit over the ending of the NFC championship game to move forward. Judge Nicole Sheppard denied the NFL’s motion to dismiss the suit. Attorney Tony LeMon says the purpose of his lawsuit is to hold the league accountable and just because the NFL is big, does not mean they are untouchable.
Cut 9 (10) “…for civil liability.”
The judge also ruled that LeMon could get the chance to question NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and three game officials in depositions. The league is expected to appeal the ruling.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has released its speech order for the Class of 2019 Enshrinement Ceremony on August 3rd. Former LSU Tigers Johnny Robinson and Kevin Mawae will go back-to-back as they will be the second and third speakers. Former Destrehan star Ed Reed will be the sixth speaker on that night.

Media at SEC Media Days has picked the LSU Tigers to finish second in the SEC West, behind Alabama. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU landed eight players on the preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams, which is why LSU is picked to finish near the top of the division standings…
cut 13 (12) “…second team”
After Alabama and LSU in the SEC West, the media projects Texas A-and-M to finish third followed by Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas. Georgia is the favorite to win the East, followed by Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

The Saints first training camp practice is Friday July 26th. The Saints have announced that the practice dates on July 27th, 28th, August 3rd and August 10th have sold out. Free tickets are still available for eight practice dates.

Media that cover the Southeastern Conference pick LSU to finish second in the Western Division behind Alabama. LSU was picked to finish fifth last year, but the Tigers outperformed the low expectations. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU is once again thought of as the Crimson Tide’s biggest challenger in the West…
cut 12 (08) “…last year”
The Crimson Tide received 253 first-place votes, while LSU garnered 5. The Tigers are set to report on August 1st and the first practice is August 2nd.

A New Orleans judge is allowing a lawsuit over the controversial no-call in the NFC title game to move forward. And State Civil District Court Judge Nicole Sheppard also ruled that the plaintiff Tony LeMon can request documents and even question NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a deposition. The NFL is expected to appeal the ruling.

Matt Deggs has the task of trying to follow in the late Tony Robichaux’s footsteps as he takes over as the new head baseball coach of the Cajuns. Deggs spent three years as an assistant to former head coach Tony Robichaux, who died earlier this month. Deggs left Lafayette to become the head coach at Sam Houston State in 2014. Deggs says he and his family prayed on whether it was the right decision to return to Lafayette
Cut 30 (11) “…Crowley, Louisiana.”
Deggs guided Sam Houston State to its first appearance in a Super Regional Series and back-to-back Southland conference championships.

The Saints hold their first training camp practice a week from today. The team says the practices scheduled for July 27th, 28th, August 3rd and August 10th are sold out.

Former LSU star Naz Reid has signed a four-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A Saints fans lawsuit over the controversial no-call in the NFC Championship game is still alive after an Orleans Parish Civil District Judge denied a motion to have the suit dismissed. Judge Nicole Sheppard also ruled that plaintiff, Tony LeMon, can compel discovery, which could result in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to answer questions under oath during a deposition. The NFL did not respond to requests for comment.

Nicholls has been picked to repeat as Southland Champions as the Colonels got the most first-place votes possible. Colonels Coach Tim Rebowe says it’s important his team does not focus on the early season projections…
cut 30 (13) “…numbers”
The Colonels were 9-4 last season but must replace four of the five starters on last year’s offensive line.

Matt Deggs is the new head baseball coach of the Cajuns. Deggs spent three years as an assistant to former head coach Tony Robichaux, who died earlier this month. With Coach Robe’s family in attendance at the introductory press conference, Deggs says it’s an honor to be asked to follow in his footsteps
Cut 29 (11) “around him.”
Deggs was an assistant coach at U-L Lafayette from 2012-to-2014. He left Lafayette to become the head coach at Sam Houston State in 2014. Since that time he’s led the Bearcats to their first Super Regional Series appearance and back-to-back Southland titles.

Matt Deggs was introduced today as the new head baseball coach of the Ragin Cajuns. Deggs was the head coach at Sam Houston State and led the Bearkats to their first-ever Super Regional Series appearance and back-to-back Southland titles. Before his time in Huntsville, Texas. Deggs was an assistant coach at U-L Lafayette from 2012-to-2014 under the late Cajuns head coach Tony Robichaux. Deggs says Coach Robe would want him to take this challenge…
cut 10 (10) “…Ragin Cajun baseball”

In college football, Sun Belt coaches pick the Ragin Cajuns to repeat as West Champions ahead of Arkansas State. ULM is picked to finish in third place. Appalachian State is the preseason favorite in the East.

Southland Coaches and S-I-Ds pick Nicholls to repeat as league champs. McNeese is picked to finish sixth, S-L-U eighth and Northwestern 10th place.

LSU receiver Justin Jefferson is on the Biletnikoff Award watch list after leading the Tigers with 54 catches last season. Louisiana Tech’s Adrian Hardy is also on the Biletnikoff Watch List. The award goes to the best receiver in college football. Hardy caught 75 passes for 1,145 yards and six touchdowns.

In NBA news…former LSU star Naz Reid has signed a four-year contract with Minnesota. Reid went undrafted and was expected to sign a two-way deal with the Timberwolves, but he performed so well in the Summer League that Reid earned himself a full-time spot on the roster.

Former Pelican Cheick Diallo has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Suns. Diallo averaged six points and five rebounds in 64 games in New Orleans last season.

And there’s a report that former Hornet, Chris Paul, will start the season in Oklahoma City as there doesn’t seem to be much interest in the 34-year-old who has three years left on his contract that pays him 125-million dollars.

The UL-Lafayette Baseball program introduced former assistant Matt Deggs as its new head coach today. Deggs replaces the late Tony Robichaux, who died from a heart attack earlier this month. Deggs spent three seasons as an assistant to Robichaux from 2012 to 2014. Sam Houston State hired Deggs as its head coach in 2014 and he led the Bearkats to a Super Regional Series appearance and back-to-back Southland Conference championships.

Southland Conference head coaches and sports information directors have picked Nicholls to repeat as league champions. The Colonels have eleven players on the preseason all-conference teams. McNeese is picked to finish sixth, Southeastern Louisiana eighth and Northwestern in 10th place.

Sun Belt football coaches pick the Ragin Cajuns to repeat as West Champions ahead of Arkansas State. ULM is picked to finish in third place. Appalachian State is picked to finish first in the East and the Mountaineers are the preseason favorites to win the Sun Belt.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban says he’s 100-percent after undergoing hip replacement surgery last April. His bigger concern is getting the Crimson Tide back in the national championship game after losing to Clemson in the title game last year. When Bama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium last November it looked like they were going to roll to another national title, but Clemson won in a rout last January. Saban on what happened
cut 30 (33) “…organization”
The national championship this season is in New Orleans.

The Saints rookies report for training camp today. Highlighting the group is center Erik McCoy. The second-round pick will battle with Nick Easton and Cameron Tom for a chance to snap the ball to Drew Brees.

Former LSU standout and Atlanta linebacker Deion Jones has agreed to a four-year, 57-million dollar contract extension. Jones made the pro bowl in 2017 but missed most of last season with a broken foot.

According to 24-7 sports, Louisiana Tech has the top recruiting class for 2020 as the Bulldogs have 17 commitments, 15 of them are three-star prospects.

SEC Media Days wrap up today in Hoover, Alabama with Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Auburn taking the stage.

Southland Conference Media Day is today. Nicholls is looking to repeat at champs, while Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State are trying to improve under second-year head coaches. Sterlin Gilbert is the new head coach at McNeese, replacing Lance Guidry.

UL-Lafayette has called a press conference for 11 AM to introduce Matt Deggs as its new baseball coach. Deggs is a former assistant for the Cajuns and spent the past five seasons as the head coach of Sam Houston State. The Bearkats have won the Southland Conference the last two seasons.

LSU left fielder Daniel Cabrera will wear number eight for the 2020 season. The number eight jersey is given to the upperclassman who exemplifies the spirit of LSU baseball through leadership and dedication to the program. Cabrera hit .284 with 12 home runs last season.

Former Alabama and Northwestern State head coach Mitch Gaspard has been hired as Louisiana Tech’s new hitting coach. He’ll replace Travis Creel, who went back to his alma mater Southern Miss. Gaspard was the head coach at Northwestern for six seasons, and Alabama for seven years. He’s been a volunteer assistant coach at Georgia the last two seasons.

Southern has been picked to win the SWAC’s Western Division, while Grambling State is predicted to finish in third place. Southern Coach Dawson Odums returns 17 starters…
cut 30 (10) “…2019″

LSU baseball announced today that left fielder Daniel Cabrera will wear number eight for the 2020 season. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassman who exemplifies the spirit of LSU baseball through leaders and dedication to the program. Antoine Duplantis has worn the number eight jersy the last two seasons.

Former Alabama and Northwestern State head coach Mitch Gaspard has been hired as Louisiana Tech’s new hitting coach. He’ll replace Travis Creel, who went back to his alma mater Southern Miss. Gaspard was the head coach at Northwestern for six seasons, and Alabama for seven years. He’s been a volunteer assistant coach at Georgia the last two seasons.

The four players the Pelicans acquired in separate trades with the Lakers and Jazz all seem committed in making the New Orleans NBA franchise a winner. Lonzo Ball, Derrick Favors, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram were introduced to the media on Tuesday.

The Pelicans acquired Favors in a trade with Utah. In nine seasons with the Jazz, Favors averaged 12 points and seven rebounds a game. He’s also known as a great team leader and guy who played a big role in making Utah a factor again in the Western Conference. Favors on his role in New Orleans
cut 19 (24) “down here”
Favors is 28-years-old and he’s entering the final year of his contract.

Southern has been picked to win the SWAC’s Western Division, while Grambling State is predicted to finish in third place. Southern Coach Dawson Odums returns 17 starters…
cut 30 (10) “…2019”
Southern has to replace its leading receiver from last season. Kendall Catalon transferred to Arkansas.

At SEC Media Days, here’s Texas A-and-M Coach Jimbo Fisher talking about his starting quarterback Kellen Mond…
cut 29 (14) “… every inch of it”
Mond told reporters at SEC Media Days that he believes he’s the best quarterback in the league. A tough schedule awaits the Aggies, who have to play Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
New Pelicans players Lonzo Ball, Derric Favors, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram were introduced to the media on Tuesday. Ball says he’s ready for a fresh start in New Orleans after two so-so seasons in Los Angeles. Ball has yet to show the ability to score at a high rate in the NBA, but Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin says Ball is special on the defensive end of the court
cut 17 (19) “to do”
The new players all express their commitment to bringing a winner to New Orleans.

Visitation is Friday and the funeral is Saturday for longtime Ruston sports writer Buddy Davis. Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 PM at Owns Memorial Funeral Home in Ruston and the funeral is Saturday at 10 AM at Presbyterian Church in Ruston.