Anthony Davis missed his first five shots last night but ended up with 46 points and 16 rebounds as the Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 121 to 117. Julius Randle added 27 points. It’s the first time the Pels have won a road game in the Western Conference since the season opener against Houston.

LSU is at 18th ranked Ole Miss. The Rebels are a surprising 3-0 in SEC play and is led by Breein Tyree, who is averaging 18 points a game. Terrence Davis and Deveontae Shuler are also averaging double figures. Coach Will Wade says it’s hard to slow down all three of them…
cut 19 (20) “…for us”
Tip off is at 8:00.

A Southeastern Louisiana communications professor says the 128 decibels measured in the dome during Sunday’s Saints win was nearly as loud as a thunder crack at it’s source. Fans watching the game on Fox got a little taste of that roar…
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Matt Doyle”

In other news…Former McNeese head football coach Lance Guidry has been hired as defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.

And LSU baseball is ranked second in the D-1 preseason poll. Vanderbilt is number one, Florida is sixth, Georgia is ninth and Ole Miss is 10th.

Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Saints and Rams is a rematch of a November 4th game won by New Orleans 45-35. But since that game, Los Angeles has developed a two-headed rushing attack with Todd Gurley and recently signed CJ Anderson. Saints Coach Sean Payton is impressed with how the Rams ran the ball in their playoff win over Dallas…
Cut 16 (11) “…defended the run.”
The Rams rushed for 273 yards in the win over the Cowboys. Anderson had 123 yards on the ground. He’s on his fourth team in less than a year.

In Los Angeles last night, the Pelicans defeated the Clippers 121 to 117. Anthony Davis had 46 points and 16 rebounds. New Orleans is at Golden State tomorrow.

LSU will look to remain unbeaten in SEC play tonight when the Tigers travel to Oxford to face the 18th ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss moved up into the Top 25 in the latest poll by beating two ranked teams last week, Auburn and Mississippi State. Tigers Coach Will Wade says the Rebels have the best backcourt in the SEC, which is a major concern…
Cut 18 (17) SEC games”
Ole Miss is led by Breein Tyree, who is averaging almost 18 points a game. Tip off is at 8 PM.

In college hoops last night, Grambling won its second straight as the Tigers topped Alcorn State 77-42, while Southern lost to Jackson State 64-58.

And LSU baseball is ranked second in the D-1 preseason poll. Vanderbilt is number one.

The Saints are a step closer to reaching the Super Bowl after a 20-14 win over the Eagles in front of a raucous Superdome crowd. New Orleans trailed 14-0 in the first quarter but took the lead after a massive 18-play, 92-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. Quarterback Drew Brees on the importance of going ahead at that time…
cut 29 (12) “…get the win”
Brees threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas to give the Black and Gold a 17-14 lead. Thomas had a franchise record 12 catches for 171 yards. Coach Sean Payton on his third-year wide out…
cut cut 30 (13) “…finding him”
The Saints will now get ready to play the Rams, who they beat in the regular season. Kick-off for that one is at 2:05 on Sunday.

LSU star linebacker Devin White posted a video on Twitter announcing that he’s forgoing his senior season and entering the NFL draft. White made his announcement on the final day underclassmen had to declare their intentions. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says White wrestled with the decision…
Cut 15 (11) “…staying”
White is the first player from LSU to win the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s best linebacker.

Former McNeese Head Coach Lance Guidry has found a new job in the Southland Conference. Guidry has been named the new defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.

McNeese released its football schedule for 2019 today. The Cowboys will host Southern to kick off the season and then travel to Oklahoma State. The Pokes host Southeastern on October 5th and Northwestern on November second and they’ll travel to Nicholls on November 16th.

In the NBA, the Pelicans visit the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, tomorrow LSU is at 18th ranked Ole Miss.

The Saints are heading to the NFC Championship game after beating Philadelphia 20-14 on Sunday. After giving up two first quarter touchdown drives, the Black and Gold held the Eagles to only 97 yards of offense. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore had two interceptions, including one to seal the victory…
Cut 8 (12) “…the receivers”
New Orleans will host the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in the NFC Title game. They beat L.A. 45-35 on November 4th. And remember what Marcus Peters had to stay about Saints Coach Sean Payton, after Payton said they liked the matchup of Michael Thomas on Peters…
cut 30 (13) “…together”
Saints fans can’t wait.

LSU All-American linebacker Devin White announces he’s declaring for the NFL draft. White makes his announcement on the final day for underclassmen to enter their name into the draft. White had this message for the fans from a video message produced by LSU…
cut 29 (09) “…my life”
White is expected to be a first round pick in the April draft. Greedy Williams and Ed Alexander previously announced their plans to turn pro and will not be back next season. But Rashard Lawrence, Kristian Fulton, Breiden Fehoko and Michael Divinity have decided to return for their season.

Also staying is LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. Raymond interviewed with Georgia, but sources say the New Iberia expected to remain at LSU.

He’ll be able to coach Louisiana’s Mr. Football for 2018. Incoming LSU freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Junior has been named Mr. Football for 2018. Stingley did not allow a completion during his senior season at Dunham High School and finished his career with 27 interceptions. He also scored 14 touchdowns during his senior campaign.

The Saints are heading to the NFC Championship game after beating the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 20-14. New Orleans climbed back from an early 14-to-0 deficit for a hard fought six point win in front of a jubilant Superdome crowd. Coach Sean Payton
Cut 7 (12) “…that today”
After giving up two first quarter touchdown drives, the Black and Gold defense took control, only allowing 97 yards after the first quarter. Quarterback Drew Brees threw an interception on his first pass, after that he threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns….
cut 30 (14) “….a lot better”
The Saints will host the Rams this Sunday at 2 PM.

Its decision day for LSU All-American linebacker Devin White. Will he return for his senior season or enter the NFL draft? Today is the deadline for underclassman to declare for the draft.

Over the weekend, LSU defensive end Rashard Lawrence and cornerback Kristian Fulton both announced they are returning for their senior seasons. And defensive backs coach Corey Raymond is also reportedly staying at LSU after interviewing with Georgia.

The Pelicans visit the Clippers tonight. Over the next 11 games, New Orleans will face nine teams that would qualify for the playoffs, if the regular season ended today. The Pels enter this critical stretch tied for 12th place in the Western Conference.

The Sun Belt Conference has suspended the officiating crew that worked Saturday’s ULM-Georgia State game. They missed a blatant traveling call that allowed the Panthers to win at the buzzer. It was a tough week in the Peach State as the Warhawks suffered two one-point losses.

Friday’s injury report for the Saints looks really good. Everyone was a full participant, except for wide receiver Simmie Cobbs. Cobbs has been ruled out, but banged up offensive linemen, Jermon Bushrod, Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Larry Warford and Andrus Peat were not limited at pratice at all on Friday.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara says having a healthy Ted Ginn Junior at wide receiver will be a boost to the offense…
cut 14 (10) “…missing”
Ginn has missed all but five games this season with a knee injury, but he’s been a full participant at practice this week.

The NFC Divisional round playoffs get underway Saturday. The first game has the upset minded Colts at Kansas City, while Chargers, who have played well on the road this season are at New England.

The Pelicans begin a five-game road trip on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. New Orleans has won three in a row, to improve its record to 20-and-22. After Minnesota, the Pels will visit the Clippers, the Warriors, the Trail Blazers and then the road trip concludes on January 21st against Memphis.

In baseball, former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu is now a Yankee. LeMahieu has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Bronx Bombers and will be asked to play third, second and first base in New York.

Astros All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to relieve pain associated with bone chips. The procedure on the former LSU star is expected to limit him when Spring Training starts next month, but Bregman wrote on Twitter he’ll be ready for the regular season.

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to improve to 2-0 in SEC play when they visit Arkansas for a 5 PM tip-off. The Razorbacks are one and one in league play after losing to Florida on Wednesday.

When the Saints meet the Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Playoff round, it marks the return of fan favorite Darren Sproles. The 35-year-old Sproles has battled injuries the last two seasons, but saw a lot of playing time in the upset win over Chicago in the wild card round. Quarterback Drew Brees and Sproles played together in both San Diego and New Orleans and Brees has the utmost respect for the electric running back…
cut 17 (17) “…me better”
The Saints traded Sproles to Philadelphia after the 2013 season and at the time, Sproles was not happy about the trade.

The divisional round of the playoffs begin tomorrow, the Colts are in Kansas City to face the Chiefs and then Saturday night, Dallas faces the Los Angeles Rams.

Astros All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to remove loose bodies. The procedure on the former LSU star is expected to limit him when Spring Training starts next month.

In the NBA, the Pelicans begin a five-game road trip tomorrow in Minnesota. New Orleans has won three in a row, but are three games back of the Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Louisiana Tech released its football schedule for 2019. The Bulldogs start the season against Texas. The Longhorns could be a team ranked in the Top 10. The home opener will be September 7th at home against Grambling State. The Bulldogs will have a tough end to the season, after a bye on November 2nd, they’ll host North Texas and then travel to Marshall and U-A-B and finish the 2019 regular season campaign against U-T-S-A.

College hoops last night, tough loss for ULM last night as Tookie Brown hit a three-pointer as time expired to help Georgia Southern beat the Warhawks 79-78. The loss spoiled another good performance from Daishon Smith, who scored 27 points and had six rebounds and five assists.

The Ragin Cajuns also lost in the Peach State as Georgia State beat UL Lafayette 89-76.

Louisiana Tech defeated UAB 64-53. JaColby Pemberton had a career-high 17 points.

There are a couple of former Saints on that Eagles team that will be in the Superdome on Sunday to face the New Orleans Saints. Running back Darren Sproles is a weapon on offense for Philadelphia and on defense, safety Malcom Jenkins has been holding down a secondary hit with injuries. Saints Q-B Drew Brees says Jenkins has flourished since leaving the Crescent City after the 2013 season…
cut 18 (17) “…lined up”
Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead is hopeful he’ll play on Sunday. Armstead is trying to play with a torn pectoral muscle and was limited in practice yesterday. Several members of the O-line were also limited. Defensive end Alex Okafor practiced in full after he was limited on Wednesday.

Gov. Edwards has issued a state of emergency declaration due to flooding concerns along rivers. Deputy director of GOHSEP Casey Tingle says more rain is in the forecast tonight…
cut 4 (09) “…period of time”
The eight parishes included in the declaration are Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Rapides, St. Tammany, and Washington.

A study shows the University of Louisiana System contributes 10.9 billion dollars to the state’s economy. The report shows that one out of 18 jobs in the state are supported by the universities of Louisiana. UL System President Jim Henderson says it’s evidence the system produces a large return on investment.
Cut 7 (12) “…fantastic”

State health officials are seeking a pharmaceutical partner as a part of a plan to purchase drugs at a lower cost that can treat hepatitiis C, which is a disease that damages the liver and can lead to death. At least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system suffer from hepaititis C infection. Alex Billioux with the state office of public health says part of the plan includes increased training for primary care physicians, aimed at helping them identify patients who may be infected.
Cut 15 (09) “…Hepatitis C.”
The state hopes to have a contract in place by July.

The Sean Payton era Saints are an undefeated 5-0 at home for the playoffs, and fans and the players are getting hyped for the Sunday Dome showdown with the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles. Payton says quarterback Drew Brees lives for playing on the big stage.
Cut 16 (15) “…make him special.”
Brees is 7-6 for his career in the playoffs, averaging 323 passing yards and over two touchdowns per game.

To give the players a little bit more motivation, during a team meeting on Monday, Payton showed off the Vince Lombardi Trophy the Saints won in 2009 plus 201-thousand dollars in cash. That represents the bonus each player will receive for winning the Super Bowl. Payton told the players, if you want this, win three more games.

There is a vacancy on LSU Coach Ed Orgeron’s staff. Jerry Sullivan has announced his retirement. Orgeron has called Sullivan one of the most respected wide receiver coaches in football. He was an assisant at LSU from 1984-90 and then joined Orgeron’s staff as a consultant in 2017 and then elevated to senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator for 2018.

LSU baseball is ranked number one in another preseason poll. Perfect Game has the Tigers on the top of their ranking. Collegiate Baseball also has LSU ranked number one.