LSU basketball will face Michigan state for just the second time in program history on Friday night in the Sweet 16 as the two teams will meet in Washington D-C. The tip is set for 6:09 on Friday. The Tigers advanced to the East Regional semifinal with a 69-67 win over Maryland. LSU has won its fair share of close games this season and Interim Head Coach Tony Benford credits the belief system installed into the players…
cut 14 (12) “…win this game”
Michigan State advanced to the Sweet 16 after an easy win over Minnesota.

Tough series in Athens for the LSU baseball team as they dropped two out of three to Georgia. The Bulldogs pulled out a nine seven victory over the Tigers yesterday, despite home runs by LSU’s Josh Smith and Daniel Cabrera. LSU is 4-2 in the SEC.

The NFL owners meetings get underway today. The owners will consider several different proposals to expand instant replay as a result of the blown call in the NFC Championship game. It’s possible the owners will delay a vote on these suggestions until their May meeting.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced his retirement. The Saints have been trying to sign former Raiders tight end Jared Cook, but a deal is not official and now the Patriots are said to be interested in signing Cook to replace Gronk.

LSU basketball will look to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006 when they face sixth seeded Maryland for an 11:10 tip time. The Terrapins feature two big post players in Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith. Fernando is an NBA prospect who averages a double-double. LSU big man Kavell Bigby-Williams on the match-up…
cut 13 (08) “…for them”
Interim head coach Tony Benford says whoever wins the battle in the paint and on the glass will advance.

LSU’s Zach Hess won last night’s pitcher’s duel in Athens as Hess threw eight shutout innings in a 1-0 win over 5th ranked Georgia. Hess scattered eight hits and struck out nine, while Devin Fontenot earned his first career save. Antoine Duplantis scored on Daniel Cabrera’s sacrifice fly for the only run of the game. Game two of the series is at noon.

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The Saints are reportedly on the verge of signing tight end Jared Cook. Nothing is official yet, but Cook said he’s a big fan of Drew Brees and it will be awesome to catch passes from Brees. The 10-year veteran of the NFL caught a career-high 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns for the Raiders last season and made his first pro bowl.

At LSU pro day, cornerback Greedy Williams declared he’s the best cornerback in the NFL draft. Williams had eight career interceptions in Tiger Town, while Georgia’s Deandre Baker had seven, but it was Williams who won the Jim Thorpe Award which goes to the nation’s top corner.
In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech downed Middle Tennessee five to one. Matt Miller allowed one earned run in the victory. Tanner Huddleston and Parker Bates each drove in two runs.

Cajuns blew a 4-0 lead and lost to Appalachian State 6-5. Texas State downed ULM five to one, Southern crushed Grambling 18-8. Southeastern Louisiana clobbered Abilene Christian 14-1, Nicholls over Corpus-Christi five to three, Lamar edged Northwestern State four to three and Incarnate Word over McNeese four to one.

LSU can secure a spot in the Sweet 16 tomorrow when they face Maryland in round two of the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Terrapins have two big post players in Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith. Fernando is a big-time NBA prospect who averages a double-double. Interim head coach Tony Benford says this game will come down to who wins the paint and the rebounding battle…
cut 14 (10) “…great matchup”
Tip off is at 11:10.

Great matchup in college baseball this weekend as 7th ranked LSU visits 5th ranked Georgia. The Bulldogs are 19-2 and have won 10 in a row. The Tigers have won five straight, but they are looking for their first win on the road this season. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Also, La Tech is at Middle Tennessee, ULM visits Texas State and the Cajuns host Appalachian State and Grambling is at Southern.

The Saints have reportedly signed defensive back and returner Marcus Sherels, who has spent all eight of his seasons in the NFL with the Vikings. Sherels is the all-time leader in Vikings history for punt returns for touchdowns. He averaged 12 yards a punt return last season. New Orleans ranked in the NFL’s bottom in punt returns the last two seasons.

It was Pro Day at LSU today, representatives from all 32 teams were there. Greedy Williams told reporters he’s the best cornerback in the NFL draft.

LSU gymnastics looks to defend its SEC meet championship when they compete against seven other Southeastern Conference schools at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday. Coach DD Breaux says tickets are going fast…
cut 8 (11) “…conference”
LSU is the top seed and the Tigers will compete in the second session at 7 PM.

Third seeded LSU looks to avoid the upset as it faces 14th seeded Yale at 11:40 this morning in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one 14 seeds have defeated three seeds since 1985. Tigers interim head coach Tony Benford says the Bulldogs have their attention…
Cut 16 (20) “the same”
The Bulldogs shoot 50-percent from the field, which is the sixth best mark in Division One Basketball.

Grambling and UNO were both knocked out of the College Insider-dot-com tournament. A lay up failed to go down at the buzzer for the Tigers and they lost to Texas Rio Grande Valley 74-73. While Texas Southern topped UNO in overtime 95-89. ULM hosts Kent State tonight at Fant-Ewing.

A lot of drama in last night’s LSU baseball game between the Tigers and Nicholls Colonels. Nicholls first baseman Adam Tarver hit a home run off Todd Peterson in the ninth inning to give the Colonels a four to three lead. It was Tarver’s second home run of the game, but a two-out RBI double by Chris Reid tied the game. Daniel Cabrera had an RBI double in the 10th as the Tigers won their fifth straight game 5 to 4 in 10 innings.

Tulane topped the Ragin Cajuns seven to three. Green Wave right fielder Hudson Haskin homered and drove in four runs. Southeastern Louisiana downed Alcorn State 13 to 3. Preston Faulkner, Kyle Schimpf and Evan Pace homered for the Lions and South Alabama downed UNO 22-7.

NBA…the Orlando Magic made the Pelicans disappear as New Orleans lost 119 to 96. Elfrid Payton’s streak of five straight triple-doubles ended as he only had seven points, two assists and three rebounds.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee has approved a two-year contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron and the Louisiana native is getting a 14-percent raise, which means he’ll make four-million dollars a year. Athletic Director Joe Alleva says Orgeron can earn even more money…
cut 13 (12) “…500,000 dollars”
On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards called Orgeron’s four-million dollar salary a bargain. He also said he’s not prepared to comment on former Board of Regents Chairman Richard Lispey’s demand that Alleva and LSU President F King Alexander should be fired over the handling of the Will Wade situation.

Tonight in baseball…Nicholls is at seventh ranked LSU. The Ragin Cajuns visit Tulane and the Pelicans are at the Orlando Magic.

The LSU men’s basketball team had a brief workout today at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. That’s where the Tigers will face Yale tomorrow at 11:40 in a first round matchup of the NCAA Tournament. Interim head coach Tony Benford likes the look of his team after the early exit in the SEC Tournament…
cut 20 (16) “…tomorrow”
Guard Skylar Mays says even though the Tigers didn’t win a game in the SEC Tournament, they remain confident heading into the Big Dance…
cut 18 (13) “…we play”
LSU is at 7.5 point favorite.

Third-seeded LSU is in Jacksonville getting ready for tomorrow’s first round NCAA match-up with 14th seeded Yale. Junior guard Skylar Mays says both teams like to play an up tempo style and that should benefit the Tigers
Cut 16 (11) “for us”
Yale averages 81 points a game and as a team they shoot 50-percent from the field. On defense, the Bulldogs do not force a lot of turnovers, just 11 a game.

This afternoon, LSU-Alexandria takes on Central Baptist College in the N-A-I-A tournament. The Generals are the number two seed and they are making their fifth straight appearance in the national championship tournament.

Grambling State is at Texas Rio Grande Valley for an opening round match-up in the College Insider-dot-com tournament. UNO hosts Texas Southern, tomorrow it’s ULM hosting Kent State.

The Saints announce they’ve come to terms on a four-year contract with unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Nick Easton. The former Harvard star is expected to take Max Unger’s place as the starting center. In 2017, Easton started at left guard for 12 games for the Vikings, but missed all of last season with a neck injury.

The LSU Board of Supervisors athletic committee has approved an extension and pay raise for football coach Ed Orgeron. Athletics Director Joe Alleva appeared at today’s meeting and said Orgeron is deserving of a 500-thousand dollar raise…
cut 12 (10) “…extremely well”
Orgeron’s new contract runs through 2023 and his annual salary is four million dollars, the ninth highest in the SEC. The full board is expected to approve the deal this afternoon.

Last night in college baseball, UL-Lafayette defeated Northwestern State eight to three as sophomore Hayden Cantrelle hit for the cycle.

LSU basketball is in Jacksonville, ahead of tomorrow’s NCAA first round match-up between the Fighting Tigers and Yale. Head Coach Will Wade remains suspended. Junior guard Skylar Mays says they miss Wade, but the talent on the floor is good enough to reach the Final Four, especially when it comes to guard play between him, Tremont Waters and Javonte Smart…
cut 17 (09) “…whole thing”
Mays says even though the Tigers didn’t win a game in the SEC Tournament, they remain confident heading into the Big Dance. Tip off tomorrow is at 11:40.

Grambling State men’s basketball will play in its first postseason tournament game in 39 years tonight when the Tigers visit Texas-Rio Grande Valley in the College-Insider-dot-com Tournament.

UNO is also in that tournament and tonight the Privateers host Johnny Jones and the Texas Southern Tigers.

Former Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis has signed with the Detroit Lions. Lewis will always be remembered in New Orleans, because he was the guy involved in the controversial no call in the NFC Championship game.

All 32 teams from the NFL were on hand to watch Louisiana Tech’s pro day. It was a chance for defensive end Jaylon Ferguson to show what he’s got after he was not invited to the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis. The potential first round draft pick ran a 4.75, in the 40-yard dash. Wide receiver and punt returner Teddy Veal had the fastest time at 4.64.

Former LSU baseball star Alex Bregman has reportedly agreed to a six-year, 100-million dollar contract to the Astros.

Last night in college baseball, the Ragin Cajuns downed Northwestern State eight to three, McNeese blanked Houston 1 to 0, Southern Miss upended ULM 5-4, Louisiana Tech trounced Mississippi Valley 21 to 1. Tonight, LSU hosts Nicholls.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is set to get more job security and a bump in pay. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Im Jeff Palermo”

Former Saints wide receiver and return Tommylee Lewis has signed with the Detroit Lions. He caught 20 passes during his three seasons in New Orleans. And the Back and Gold has reportedly expressed interest in trading for Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn. Dallas is also said to be interested in the 28-year-old pass rusher.

The LSU men’s basketball team arrives in Jacksonville today as the Tigers continue their preparations for their first round NCAA Tournament match up with Yale. 2006 was the last time LSU went to the Final Four and that season they also played the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Jacksonville, beat Iona and Texas A-and-M.

The Sun Belt Conference has named a new commissioner. His name is Keith Gill and the former Duke football player is the first African-American commissioner of an NCAA F-B-S conference. He’ll start on May 1st, replacing the retiring Karl Benson. Gill is currently the executive associate commissioner for the Atlantic 10.

In college baseball tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Northwestern State, McNeese faces Houston in Lake Charles, Louisiana Tech hosts Mississippi Valley, Grambling visits Jackson State and U-L-M is at Southern Miss.

Seventh ranked LSU baseball returns to the diamond tomorrow night to host Nicholls. The Tigers have won four in a row since losing to Northwestern State.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected tomorrow to approve a two-year contract extension and a 14-percent increase in pay for Coach Ed Orgeron. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Orgeron’s annual salary will climb to four-million dollars…
cut 9 (08) “…won it”
Orgeron’s buyout at the start of the deal would also be 10-million dollars.

Max Unger says he didn’t think he could make it through another season, which is why the longtime center for the Saints decided to retire, even though he was set to make five million dollars next season. Unger says a lower body injury has made it difficult for him to get into his stance and surgery would mean he would miss the entire offseason, which Unger didn’t want to do.

Pelicans point guard Elfird Payton recorded his fifth consecutive triple-double last night in an overtime win over Dallas. Only four other players have had five straight triple-doubles, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. New Orleans is at Orlando on Wednesday.

The Sun Belt Conference’s new commissioner is the first african-american commissioner for an FBS conference. Keith Gill will take over for the retiring Karl Benson, who will officially leave the office on May 1st. Gill is currently the executive associate commissioner for the Atlantic 10.

LSU basketball finishes the regular season ranked 12th in the A-P poll, which is there highest finish since 2000. The 26-and-6 Tigers face Yale on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs only have one NCAA Tournament win and that happened in 2016, when they upset Baylor in the first round.

Southern is the only Louisiana school in the women’s basketball tournament. The 16th seeded Lady Jaguars will battle top seeded Mississippi State on Friday in Starkville.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on a contract extension and raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. The proposed deal would extend Orgeron for another two years, through the 2023 season and he’ll get a 14-percent increase in pay, boosting his salary to four-million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract seems justified…
Cut 7 (11) “…head coach”
Orgeron is 25-9 since taking over as the interim coach during the 2016 season.

Former Saints center Max Unger says he decided to retire from football, because he didn’t think he could put his 32-year-old body through another season. Unger says injury issues to his lower body was making it difficult for him to get even in his stance.

The Pelicans ended a six-game losing streak last night with a 129 to 125 overtime win over Dallas. New Orleans point guard Elfrid Payton joined a short list of NBA greats with his fifth straight triple-double. Payton had 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The only other players to have five straight triple-doubles, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.

LSU basketball finishes the regular season ranked 12th in the A-P poll, which is there highest finish since 2000. The 26-and-6 Tigers face Yale on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs only have one NCAA Tournament win and that happened in 2016, when they upset Baylor in the first round.

Southern is the only Louisiana school in the women’s basketball tournament. The 16th seeded Lady Jaguars will battle top seeded Mississippi State on Friday in Starkville.

After sweeping Kentucky, LSU baseball is up to 7th in the latest Collegiate Baseball Poll. The Tigers host Nicholls tomorrow night.