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.

The NFL has reportedly fined Nickell Robey-Coleman for his hit on Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis on that controversial play in which the league told Sean Payton should have been a flag for both pass interference and helmet-to-helmet. Robey-Coleman will lose 26-thousand dollars from his pocket, but he’ll get to play in the Super Bowl next weekend.

Senator Bill Cassidy wants the NFL to answer two questions in the wake of the infamous “no-call.” One, how did the NFL grade the referees’ performance, and two, were the refs biased….
Cut 9 (12) “few others .″

LSU baseball began full squad workouts today, but sophomore pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard is not throwing, because of a sore shoulder. He missed the postseason becuase of shoulder soreness, but Coach Paul Mainieri hopes he’s healthy to throw next Friday.

It appears to be an end of an era for private schools as they will likely no longer have the chance to play their state championship football games in the Superdome. The LHSAA principals voted today to give “select” schools the ability to play their championship games at a venue separate from public schools. But Teurlings Catholic Principal Mike Boyer says depending on what the school with the highest seed decides, the title game could still be held at a big venue…
cut 16 (12) “…colleges”
The decision also impacts the title games for the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the Association’s executive committee will still have to agree to the private school championship game locations, because it’s still an LHSAA event.

The LSU basketball team left for Missouri today. The 25th ranked Tigers will go after their ninth straight win as they face a Mizzou team that’s just 1-and-4 in league play. Tip off is at 5 PM.

A short-handed Pelicans team battled with Oklahoma City last nigth but lost to the Thunder 122 to 116. New Orleans was without Anthony Davis for a third straight game, because of finger injury. Nikola Mirotoic also did not play and is out at least one week with a calf strain. Starting guard E-Twaun Moore also sat out last night’s game with nagging injuries. Jrue Holiday had 22 points last night as the Pels have lost four of their last five.

Retiring Saints tight end Ben Watson has posted a message on Twitter for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Watson says it’s unbecoming and detrimental to the game and also disrespectful to remain silent about the infamous missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. He urges Goodell to lead by example.

Other NFL news….Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had surgery on his troubled throwing shoulder. There’s no timetable on when he’ll start throwing the football again.

Louisiana Tech has hired a new defensive coordinator. Former UCONN head coach Bob Diaco will join Skip Holtz’ staff with more than 20 years of coaching experience. He’s also been a defensive coordinator at Nebraska, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Central Michigan. He was a defensive analyst at Oklahoma last season.

Louisiana Tech basketball remained undefeated at home last nigth with an 89-80 overtime win over Conference USA leader Marshall. DaQuan Bracey’s driving lay up with five seconds left sent the game into O-T and Bracey tied a career-high with 25 points.

The Ragin Cajuns won a nail biter over South Alabama 88-84. JaKeenan Gant had 28 points and eight rebounds. UL-Lafayette is 3-and-3 in the Sun Belt. ULM is 4-and-2 after a 75-69 win over Troy. Travis Munnings and Michael Ertel each had 16 points.

LSU is ranked number one in the USA Today college baseball preseason poll. It’s the third poll that has the Tigers ranked number one. The Bayou Bengals begin preseason workouts today and opening day is February 15th.

After losing to Detroit last night, the Pelicans are back at it tonight as they visit Oklahoma City. Anthony Davis will miss his third game with an injured finger and Nikola Mirotic is also out with a right calf strain. He suffered the injury in last night’s loss to the Pistons. Tip time is at 7 PM.

In college basketball, the Ragin Cajuns host South Alabama tonight. It’s UL-Lafayette’s first home game in nearly three weeks, they are 2-and-3 in the Sun Belt. ULM is also home tonight and the Warhawks will take on Troy. Both teams are in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt Standings. Louisiana Tech faces one of the top teams in Conference USA. The Marshall Thundering Herd battle the Bulldogs in Ruston. Tech will look to snap a two-game losing streak.

LSU won it’s eight straight last night as the Tigers defeated Georgia 92-82. Sophomore guard Tremont Waters had a season-high 26 points, but Coach Will Wade is not happy his team gave up 82 points. The Tigers, who are 5-0 in the SEC, are at Missouri on Saturday.

The seven-member New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a resolution today asking the NFL to investigate why a flag wasn’t thrown for pass interference against the Rams in the final two minutes of regulation in the NFC Championship game. Council members say the blown call cost the city sales tax revenues and since there was also helmet-to-helmet contact, the NFL is failing in its effort to ensure player safety.

LSU is ranked number one in the USA Today college baseball preseason poll. It’s the third poll that’s come out in the last month that has the Tigers ranked number one. The Bayou Bengals begin preseason workouts tomorrow and opening day is February 15th.

Geri Glasco, the daughter of UL-Lafayette Softball Coach Gerry Glasco, was one of two people killed in an overnight chain reaction crash on Interstate 10 in Lafayette. She was also a volunteer coach for the Lady Cajuns softball team. Geri Glasco was just 24-years-old.

The 25th ranked LSU Tigers extended their winning streak to eight games last night with a 92-82 win over Georgia. Tremont Waters had a season-high 26 points and Skylar Mays added 20 points. But Coach Will Wade is displeased with his defense…
cut 30 (18) “…as well”
Georgia shot 54-percent from the field.

Sam Houston knocked down 14 3-pointers in Natchitoches to beat Northwestern State 78-64. The Demons got 19 points and 19 rebounds from Ishmael Lane.

Marlain Veal had 26 points as Southeastern Louisiana beat Houston Baptist 70-67 for its third straight win. Nicholls fell to Corpus Christi 75-73 and the Pelicans lost to the Pistons 98-94.

Sad news involving the UL-Lafayette softball program. Assistant coach and daughter of head coach Gerry Glasco was one of two people killed in a five-vehicle wreck on Interstate 10 in Lafayette during the overnight hours. 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville was pronounced dead at the scene.

Saints fans continue to mourn over Sunday’s heart breaking loss in the NFC Championship game, but General Manager Mickey Loomis says the franchise is moving forward…
Cut 13 (12) “…win the game.” (2x)

The Bulldog football program has added two assistant coaches, Brock Hays is the new running backs coach and Dennis Smith takes over as special teams coordinator. Hays comes to ruston from Southern Miss and he also coached at Nicholls. Smith was the special teams coordinator at McNeese the last three seasons.

The Saints are in the process of getting ready for next season. General Manager Mickey Loomis is in Mobile, scouting players at the Senior Bowl. He spoke with reporters and the G-M said he understands the hurt Saints fans are going through….
cut 14 (11) “…right now”
The Saints have big decisions coming up. Will they re-sign back up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and will they seek to re-sign running Mark Ingram, who rushed for 645 yards in 12 games in his 8th season.

25th ranked LSU won their eighth straight last night as they defeated Georgia 92-82, but Coach Will Wade not happy to see the Bulldogs score 82 points…
cut 30 (09) “…to do”
The Tigers are at Missouri on Saturday.

The Pelicans fell to 22 and 26 on the season with a 98-94 loss to Detroit last night in the Smoothie King Center. Pistons Forward Blake Griffin scored 20 points in the first quarter and finished with 37 points. The Pels Anthony Davis missed his second game with an injured finger and there’s no certain date on when he’ll return. New Orleans is at Oklahoma City tonight.

Back to college basketball, Southeastern Louisiana defeated Houston Baptist 70-67 for its third straight win. Marlain Veal had 26 points. Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi edged Nicholls 75-73 in a back and forth game. The Colonels fall to 3-and-4 in the Southland. Sam Houston State hit 14 3-pointers and the Bearkats defeated Northwestern State 78-64. Central Arkansas downed UNO 76-71 and UCF upended Tulane 75-50.

Tonight, the Cajuns host South Alabama, Troy is at ULM and Louisiana Tech takes on Marshall.