The 19th ranked LSU basketball team won its tenth straight last night as Tremont Waters poured in 36 points as the Tigers defeated Texas A-and-M 72-57. Waters hit a career-high six three-pointers. LSU remains tied for first place in the SEC with Tennessee, who is also 7-0 in league play.

In other college hoops action, Sam Houston improved to 8-0 in the Southland with a 62-52 win over Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions fall to 4-4 in league play. Lamar thumped Nicholls 90-69. The Colonels are 3-4 in the Southland. UNO upended Northwestern State 72-64.

The short-handed Pelicans lost to Denver 105-99 last night. Anthony Davis missed his sixth straight game because of an injured finger. There’s now a report the Pels may keep Davis off the floor until they trade him. The NBA trade deadline is February seventh. A-D did not appear in the intro video last night.

There are reports that LSU and Coach Ed Orgeron are working on a contract extension. Orgeron’s current deal expires after the 2021 season. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it’s not surprising to hear this news, with the traditional signing day for college football coming up on Wednesday…
cut 15 (08) “…to your program”
Orgeron’s current contract pays him 3.5 million dollars a year.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has finally addressed the no call in the NFC Championship game, but didn’t provide a lot of answers. Goodell said during a Q-and-A session with reporters in Atlanta that he never considered a redo of the game, because of the blown call.

Coach Sean Payton also spoke yesterday, but it’s what he didn’t say that’s grabbing headlines. It appears Payton is wearing a Goodell is a clown T-Shirt underneath another shirt. Payton admits to speaking with the commissioner in the days following the NFC title game, but he didn’t elaborate on what was discussed.

In his first public comments since the blown pass interference call in the NFC Championship game, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that a flag should have been thrown when Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman hit Saints wide receiver TommyLee Lewis before he could catch a pass from Drew Brees. But at a press conference in Atlanta, Goodell defended the work of his officials…
cut 7 (11) “…they’re human”
Saints Coach Sean Payton also spoke with the media today. Payton said in the days after the game he locked himself in a room and watched Netflix and ate ice cream, but soon the franchise will have to move past this…
cut 4 (11) “…at it again’
19th ranked LSU looks to improve to 7-0 in the SEC when they visit Texas A-and-M tonight. The Aggies are just 1-and-5 in league play, but Tigers guard Skylar Mays says they can’t overlook A-and-M…
cut 18 (17) “…this league”
Guard TJ Starks leads the Aggies in scoring at 13-points a game, but he’s only shooting 35-percent from the floor. Tip time is at 8 PM.

Also tonight, Southeastern hosts Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are undefeated in league play, while the Lions have won four in a row. Northwestern State is at UNO and Nicholls hosts Lamar. The Colonols will look to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Pelicans host the Nuggets tonight. New Orleans will once again be without most of their starters because of injuries.

Saints Coach Sean Payton spoke today for the first time since the team’s devastating loss in the NFC Championship game. Payton says he was like many fans, he stayed in his room for two to three days…
cut 28 (06) “….three straight days”
Payton says anger over the non-call lasted about 24 hours, than it was just disappointment. He says during that time several people reached out..
cut 29 (12) “…for awhile”
Payton says he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get over it, but the team will need to move on…
cut 30 (05) “…this team’
Goodell also said he briefly spoke with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but did not go into details on what was said.

The Pelicans pulled off a shocking win last night as they defeated Houston 121 to 116. New Orleans was missing five of its top six scorers, Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic, E’Twaun Moore and Julius Randle. Jrue Holiday led the way with 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a career-high six blocked shots. Davis is expected to speak Friday for the first time since his agent demanded a trade out of New Orleans.

The 19th ranked LSU Tigers will try to stay undefeated in SEC play tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are coming off an improbable win over Missouri, where they finished the game on a 15-1 run to send the game into overtime, where they eventually won. Skylar Mays says it was a great win, but they can’t forget why they were down by double digits…
cut 17 (16) “…against A-and-M.
A win for Tigers gives them their first undefeated January since 1981.

The Pelicans went into Houston last night and without Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle, E’Twaun Moore and Elfird Payton, New Orleans still found a way to beat Houston 121 to 116, despite 37 points from James Harden. New Orleans got a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds from Jahlil Okafor. Meanwhile, the league has fined Davis 50-thousand dollars, because his agent went public with his trade demands.

19th ranked LSU will look to extend its winning streak to 10 games tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are coming off a remarkable victory, where they rallied from 14 points down late in the second half to beat Missouri on their home floor. LSU guard Tremont Waters says that win shows a lot about their team…
cut 16 (13) “…fight to the end”
Tip off is at 8 PM.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses reporters today in Atlanta and you can bet your dollar bottom that he’ll be asked about the infamous no pass interference call towards the end of regulation in the NFC Championship game. Goodell or the league has not addressed the controversy to this point.

And not to be outdone, Saints Coach Sean Payton will have his end of the season press conference at 10 AM.

The NCAA will consider changes to its overtime format in college football. There’s a concern about an increased injury risk when the O-T periods continue to pile up, like they did when LSU lost to Texas A-and-M in seven overtimes in November. The overtime changes will be discussed when a rules committee meets during the last week of February. The panel will also discuss changes to the targeting rule and look at a proposal to make less serious targeting calls not an automatic ejection.

College hoops tonight…Southeastern hosts Sam Houston, while Lamar is at Nicholls.

The Pelicans face the Rockets tonight. It’s the team’s first game since it became public that Anthony Davis wants to be traded to a winning franchise. Guard Jrue Holiday says there are no hard feelings…
cut 16 (13) “…..for him”
A-D will not play again tonight, because of an injured finger. But once healthy, he’s expected to be back in a Pelicans uniform, unless he gets traded first.

ESPN is reporting the Pelicans are in no hurry to trade the All-Star. The NBA trade deadline is a week from Thursday. The Lakers will reportedly make a big push to acquire Davis.

The LSU basketball team leaves today for College Station. Tomorrow night the Tigers, who have won nine in a row, will face the Aggies, who are coming off a win over Kansas State. Tip off tomorrow is at 8 PM.

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves new ticket prices for football and baseball, the first price change since 2014 and 2015 respectively. The new pricing structure is designed to better reflect demand and market value. LSU ticket manager Brian Broussard says in Tiger Stadium, they’ve identified the seats where fans are willing to spend more
Cut 30 (11) “…are not increasing.”
Broussard says some seats in the upper deck will see a 16-percent decrease in the face value for the ticket. Tradition fund and season ticket holders will be notified of the details next month.

Baseball season ticket prices will increase from six to 24 percent for seats in the grandstand, starting with the 2020 season.

In NFL news…the Packers are reportedly planning on keeping tight end Jimmy Graham. The 32-year-old caught just two touchdown passes for the Packers last season.

Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis’ decision to demand a trade out of New Orleans has rocked the NBA franchise. Pels guard Jrue Holiday says he went through the same thing six years ago…
cut 18 (16) “…every game”
The Pels are at Houston tonight.

Tickets in Tiger Stadium for higher demand sections will see a four to 12-percent increase for the 2019 season, but LSU ticket manager Brian Broussard says about 24-thousand tickets will see no change and others will see a double digit decline in price…
cut 14 (09) “…of the stadium”
A federal judge in New Orleans needs to hear more before ruling on a lawsuit filed against the NFL by two Saints ticket holders over the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. The suit calls for Roger Goodell to invoke Rule 17, which gives the commissioner the power to order a part of the game to be replayed. But the NFL says on the field calls are final.

The vote by LHSAA principals to hold private school state championship games at a separate venue from the public schools creates another dilemna for the leadership of high school athletics.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

All-Star Forward Anthony Davis has demanded a trade out of New Orleans, but when he recovers from his injured finger, he is expected to return to the court and play for the Pelicans. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday says that will not be awkward….
cut 17 (15) “….with us”
Davis will not play tonight in their game at Houston. Nikola Mirotic and E-Twaun Moore are also out. Julius Randle is questionable with a right ankle sprain.

The LSU basketball team is ranked 19th in both the AP and coaches polls. The Fighting Tigers have won nine in a row and they will be at Texas A-and-M tomorrow night.

And Ragin Cajuns senior forward JaKeenan Gant has been named Sun Belt Player of the Week after averaging 25 points and nine rebounds in two wins last week.

Now that private schools can hold state championship games at sites separate from public schools, it’s up to LHSAA leadership to make it work. The significant change goes into effect for the 2019-20 athletic season. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says the details have to be worked out…
Cut 10 (07) “with this”
LHSAA principals voted to give select schools the authority to choose where championship games will be held in the sports of football, basketball, baseball and softball.

LSU announces season ticket prices for high demand seats in Tiger Stadium will go up four to 12-percent, but some seats will see a decrease of 16-percent in the cost of a ticket. LSU ticket manager Brian Broussard says reducing prices in some areas may reduce income, but they believe the reductions will generate an increase in sales….
cut 15 (10) “…a little better”

Louisiana sports fans could feel today’s news coming as Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis has asked for a trade out of New Orleans, because he wants to play with a consistent winner. A-D is in his seventh season in the Big Easy and the franchise has won just one playoff series. Scott Kushner covers the Pels for the Advocate…
cut 4 (12) “…change direction”
A-D is under contract through the 2019-20 season. Team officials are reportedly not feeling any added pressure to move Davis before the February 7th trade deadline. The 22-and-28 Pels vist Houston tomorrow.

LSU basketball won its ninth straight on Saturday with a come from behind win over Missouri. Today the Tigers came in ranked 19th in both the A-P and Coaches Poll. The Bayou Bengals, who are 6-0 in the SEC, will visit Texas A-and-M on Wednesday.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has posted an emotional message on Instagram to Who Dat Nation saying he will not let the heart breaking loss in the NFC Championship game create any negativity or resentment. Brees is asking fans to keep their chin up and puff on their chest, because the Who Dat Nation always perseveres.

The top ranked LSU baseball team has started full squad preseason work outs. The Fighting Tigers every day line-up is nearly set with Antoine Duplantis, Daniel Cabrera, Zach Watson and a healthy Josh Smith is back. Mainieri says the big position battle is for first base and four freshman are vying for playing time there…
cut 17 (18) “…left handed bat”
The other two freshmen are CJ Willis from Ruston and Gavin Dugas from Houma.

ESPN is reporting that Pelicans All Star Anthony Davis has told the team he has no intention of signing a contract extension with the team and wants to be traded. It’s been a frustrating season for the Pels, as they are 22-and-28.

When the new Top 25 basketball poll comes out today, the Tigers should be ranked in the Top 20 after a couple more wins last week. LSU had a remarkable comeback on Saturday in their 86-80 overtime victory over Missouri. The Bayou Bengals were down 14 points with just over two minutes left, but Skylar Mays scored nine consecutive points in 27 seconds and he finished with a career-high 24 points. The Tigers are at Texas A-and-M on Wednesday.

Louisiana Tech basketball also had a good week as the Bulldogs beat Marshall on Thursday and then Conference USA preseason favorite Western Kentucky on Saturday.

The AFC defeated the NFC 26-7 in yesterday’s Pro Bowl in rainy Orlando. Former LSU Tiger and Jets safety Jamal Adams was named the defensive MVP as he had an interception and a sack.

Saints offensive assistant Joe Brady is reportedly leaving the Black and Gold, but he will not go far. Brady will be the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU.

Full squad work outs are underway for the number one ranked LSU baseball team. Zack Hess will be the Tigers Friday night starter and Eric Walker, who is coming back from Tommy John Surgery, is expected to be the Sunday starter. Coach Paul Mainieri says freshman right-hander Landon Marceaux from Destrehan could be the Saturday starter, but that could change by opening weekend…
cut 18 (24) “….terrific”
Opening day is February 15.

The NFL has filed a legal response to a lawsuit filed that seeks to force the league to replay the NFC title game from the spot in which a penalty should have been thrown for pass interference on the Rams. The league says even replaying a few minutes of the game would be too costly and force a delay of the Super Bowl, which is set to be played February third.

A major change is coming with where high school championship games will be played. LHSAA principals voted on Friday to allow “select” schools to host their title games in football, basketball, baseball and softball at sites separate from public schools. Teurlings Catholic Principal Mike Boyer calls it a positive for the LHSAA…
Cut 14 (08) “…throughout the state.”
So starting next year, select schools with the higher seed in a championship game in football, basketball, baseball and softball, can decide to play that game at their school or at larger venue nearby.

The LSU men’s basketball team seeks to extend its winning streak to nine games when the Tigers visit Missouri tonight at 5 PM. Tremont Waters leads the Tigers as he’s averaging 14 points a game. Missouri is 1-4 in league play. LSU will have to watch out for sophomore guard Mark Smith, who is shooting 48-percent from three-point territory, but he’s questionable with an ankle injury.

Elsewhere, ULM looks to stay unbeaten at home this season when they host South Alabama at 2 PM. UL-Lafayette will face Troy in the Cajundome at 7 PM. The game features two of the top scorers in the Sun Belt, JaKeenan Gant for the Cajuns and Troy’s Jordon Varndado.

At 4 PM in Ruston, Louisiana Tech hosts preseason Conference USA favorite Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are just 4-and-3 in league play, but they have nonconference wins over West Virginia, Arkansas, St. Mary’s and Wisconsin. Tech is 4-and-4 in league play.

And at 5:00 in the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans will host the San Antonio Spurs.