LSU Football wrapped up its Coaches Caravan last night with a stop in Metairie. Coach Ed Orgeron spoke in detail about the incoming freshman class. Coach O’ says he forgets sometimes that cornerback Derek Stingley and Apu Ika are still freshmen. He believes Kentwood wide receiver Trey Palmer is one of the most underrated guys in the class and he’s impressed with defensive back Marcel Brooks’ speed. Brooks will also try to play baseball at LSU and Orgeron says he’s fine if Brooks wants to take batting practice on Sunday mornings in the fall.

The Saints will have their rookies report for training camp on July 18th and veterans are expected to report a week later on July 25th to the team’s training facility in Metairie. New Orleans first preseason game is August 9th against the Vikings.

The U-S Women’s soccer team has reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup after defeating Spain two to one. They’ll face France on Friday.

When the college baseball season began in February, no one would have thought that Michigan would be on the verge of winning a national championship in June. The Wolverines defeated Vanderbilt seven to four last night to move within one game of winning the College World Series.

LSU baseball’s schedule at the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic in Houston has been set. The Tigers will take on Texas on Friday at 7 PM on February 28th. The next day, they’ll face Baylor at 3 PM and they’ll conclude the weekend by facing Oklahoma at 11 AM.

Ragin’ Cajuns baseball’s head coach Tony Robichaux is recovering following open heart surgery Monday afternoon. UL Lafayette Athletics spokesperson Patrick Crawford says Robichaux went to the hospital on Sunday evening and found out he was experiencing a cardiac event.
Cut 13 (11) “…a heart attack.”
Robichaux, who just completed his 25th season, is expected to make a full recovery.

ESPN reports the Saints are ready to make wide receiver Michael Thomas the highest paid receiver in the NFL and a deal could be done before the start of training camp. The 26-year-old out of Ohio State has become one of the best receivers in the league and last year led the NFL with 125 catches for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Pelicans have committed to Alvin Gentry as their head coach for the next two seasons by picking up his option for the 2020-21 season. New Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffen has been a big supporter of Gentry’s and the two worked together previously in Phoenix.

A big question heading into Thursday night’s NBA draft is whether the Pels will trade the number four pick that they acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN’s Jonahtan Givony says the Celtics, Bulls and Timberwolves have expressed interest in the number four pick so they can select Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland.

Play has been halted at the College World Series in Omaha, because of heavy thunderstorms. Today’s elimination game between Louisville and Auburn was halted in the fifth inning with the Cardinals leading four to one. There’s a possibility the two teams will not be able to complete the game today. It’s already been determined that tonight’s winner bracket contest between Vanderbilt and Mississippi State will not be played until tomorrow.

LSU Hall of Famer Ebert Van Buren has passed away at the age of 94 at the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans home in Monroe. Van Buren never played high school football, but former coach Bernie Moore saw him play on the Metairie playgrounds and made him a fullback and linebacker. Van Buren helped LSU land a berth in the 1949 Sugar bowl. His brother is the late Steve Van Buren, who is a member of both the LSU and NFL Halls of Fame.

The Pelicans have picked up the team option on head coach Alvin Gentry’s contract which would keep him with the New Orleans franchise through the 2020-21 season. Executive Vice President David Griffen is a big supporter of Gentry and Griffen was quick to back him at his introductory news conference in April.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says there have been discussions with All-pro wide receiver Michael Thomas about a contract extension. Loomis made the comments on Mad Dog Radio. The 26-year-old Thomas is entering the final year of his contract and last year he led the NFL with 125 catches.

LSU has received a verbal commitment from three-star John Ehret defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins. The six-foot-two, 285-pounder is the third defensive tackle that’s part of the 2020 recruiting class, joining Haynesville’s CamRon Jackson and Jordan Berry of Harbor City, California.

Arkansas is the first team to be eliminated from the College World Series as Texas Tech rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Razorbacks five to four. Both of the Hogs losses in Omaha this year were by one run.

Florida State finally lost a game as Michigan blanked the Seminoles two to nothing. F-S-U was held to three hits.

Today, Auburn battles Louisville in an elimination game this afternoon and tonight it will be Mississippi State versus Vanderbilt in a winner’s bracket contest.

LSU baseball will play in the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic in Houston’s Minute Maid Park from February 28 to March 1st. Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Baylor are the other teams who will participate.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu hit a two-run homer as the Yankees blanked the Tampa Bay Rays three to nothing last night.

The Pelicans have traded disgruntled all-star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with the 4th pick in this year’s draft and two future 1st round selections.

So what’s next for New Orleans? Publisher of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the Pels could trade away the fourth overall pick in this week’s draft in the hopes of getting a young veteran back in return. Or could they possibly trade Brandon Ingram or Lonzo Ball to another franchise….
cut 30 (11) “…Ingram”
After a break out season, there’s a chance power forward Julius Randle will not return to the Pelicans. He’s declined the player option on his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Randle averaged 21 points and shot 34-percent from three-point territory.

New ULM athletics director Scott McDonald is confident they can succeed, even though the school ranks last in the FBS in funding for its athletic programs. Brooke Thorington has more…
Voicer 5 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU star Austin Nola has finally made it to the big leagues after eight seasons in the minor leagues. Seattle called up the Baton Rouge native and he got a base hit in his at-bat as the Mariners defeated the As 6-3.

And LSU football has landed a verbal commitment from three-star defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins from John Ehret High School.

The Pelicans have two new players to develop a young core from after trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers. As part of the blockbuster deal, New Orleans gets Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball in return. Locked on Pelicans Podcast publisher Jake Madison says they’re very young, and oozing with potential, starting with Ball…
Cut 11 (12) “shot.”
The Pelicans also received young shooting guard Josh Hart in the deal and the fourth overall pick in this week’s draft. It’s possible New Orleans will take the fourth overall pick and trade it in exchange for a young veteran.

At the age of 29, former LSU star Austin Nola made his major league baseball debut for the Seattle Mariners. Nola went 1-for-2 as Seattle defeated Oakland six to three.

24-7 sports reports that LSU has landed a verbal commitment from John Ehret defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins. Shea Dixon says Jenkins was impressive at LSU camp this month. Jenkins also had offers from Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

ULM has a tight athletic budget, but that’s not stopping newly named athletics director, Scott McDonald from wanting to put more money towards improving strength and conditioning, academic support and nutrition. McDonald, who served as interim A-D for nine months, before having the interim tag removed, says he also likes the direction of the football and men’s basketball programs…
cut 29 (12) “…this year”

At the College World Series today, Arkansas needs to beat Louisville to stay alive in Omaha. Last night, Mississippi State rallied with four runs in the ninth inning to stun Auburn five to four.

Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis got his wish and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with shooting guard Josh Hart and the 4th pick in this year’s draft, plus two future first round picks. Locked On Pelicans Podcast Publisher Jake Madison says it’s probably the best deal the Pels could get.
Cut 10 (11) “…Davis”
The Pelicans might not be done when it comes to making big moves. New Orleans could trade the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft and get a young veteran in exchange.

Pelicans power forward Julius Randle will test free agency after he reportedly denied to pick up the one-year player option on his contract that would have paid him 9-million dollars a year. Randle averaged 21 points and nine rebounds a game and could sign a deal that pays him 15 to 20-million dollars a year.

Kansas native Gary Woodland won the U-S Open holding off Brooks Koepka, who was seeking his third consecutive U-S Open title. Woodland shot a 69 yesterday to finish three strokes ahead of Koepka.

The US Women’s soccer team defeated Chile 3-0 in World Cup play in France yesterday. Carli Lloyd had two more goals.

At the College World Series, Mississippi State scored four in the ninth inning to rally past Auburn five to four. Vanderbilt defeated Louisville 3-1. Today, Arkansas will look to stave off elimination as the Razorbacks faces Louisville. Florida State faces Michigan in a winner’s bracket game.

At the age of 29-years-old, former LSU standout Austin Nola made his Major League Debut yesterday. Nola went 1-for-2 as Seattle defeated Oakland six to three.

The Saints have concluded organized offseason training activities as mini-camp wrapped up yesterday. Quarterback Drew Brees says he has moved past the pain of the highly controversial end to last season’s NFC Championship game, but it wasn’t easy at first…
cut 11 (10) “…a plan”
The 40-year-old Brees is entering the last year of his contract.

New Orleans has signed veteran receiver Rishard Matthews. He’s played for the Dolphins, Jets and Titans. In 2016, he caught 65 passes for the Titans, had 53 catches in 2017, but only caught five passes last year with the Jets and Titans. To make room for Matthews on the roster, the Black and Gold released former LSU Tiger Travin Dural.

Eight baseball teams will compete in the College World Series this weekend, but LSU Coach Paul Mainieri and his staff are getting ready for 2020. Mainieri says he wants to have more roster balance next season. He says the 2019 roster had 20 pitchers on it, he’ll like to carry 17 or 18 pitchers next season
Cut 16 (25) “…enough”
Mainieri also doesn’t plan to make any changes with his coaching staff. The coach has also confirmed that catcher Brock Mathis and pitchers Riggs Threadgill and Will Ripoll plan to transfer.

The Saints have completed their minicamp and will not be back until training camp opens in late July. Quarterback Drew Brees returned to the team for the final two days of minicamp. He missed over a week because he had to testify in a courtroom in San Diego against a California jeweler who allegedly defrauded his family of six-point-seven-million dollars…
cut 10 (11) “….it comes”
Brees testified that Vahid Moradi was a friend who lied to him about the value of diamonds he purchased. Moradi’s lawyer says they were not close, and Brees had an “obsession” for jewelry and was “drawn in like an addict.”

The Saints have signed veteran receiver Rishard Matthews after he was invited to a try out for the team during minicamp. To make room for Matthews on the roster the team released former Breaux Bridge and LSU star Travin Dural.

The NBA season ended last night with the Raptors beating Golden State 114 to 110 to win their first championship. Now all eyes are on the Pelicans as NBA observers and fans wait to see if New Orleans will trade Anthony Davis before the NBA draft, which is Thursday.

LSU Coach Paul Mainieri will have to replace several position players from the 2019 team, Antoine Duplantis, Josh Smith, Chris Reid, Zach Watson, and Brandt Broussard. It’s hard to say who will start in the infield next season and Coach Paul Mainieri says the guys who served as back-ups this season are not guaranteed starting spots next year
cut 17 (24) “.two days”
Mainieri does not expect to make any changes with his coaching staff.

A high ranking NCAA official tells CBS Sports that at least six schools will be informed this summer about allegations of Level One violations. The accusations are based on the recently completed federal investigation into college basketball corruption. There were two trials and LSU’s Will Wade’s name surfaced in both of them. Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says it remains to be seen if LSU will receive a notice, but…..
Cut 10 (08) “…just massive”
LSU can fire Wade on cause if the NCAA alleges the men’s basketball program committed Level One violations and that also means athletics director Scott Woodward would get an automatic two-year contract extension.

LSU baseball Coach Paul Mainieri met with the media today and said there will be no changes to the coaching staff and Mainieri says he’ll analyze why the team struck out as much as it did.

The NFL announced today that it will be up to the replay official initiate reviews of potential pass interference calls in the final two minutes of each half and overtime. There was talk of shifting that responsibility to the coaches, but the coaches balked at that idea saying it could impact their timeout strategy.

The Saints concluded their three-day mandatory camp today. Quarterback Drew Brees returned for the final two days after missing some time, because he and his wife are involved in a trial against a San Diego jeweler who allegedly defrauded them of millions of dollars. Brees says it was stressful to be away, because he knows the responsibility he has to the team.

No new news regarding a possible Anthony Davis trade. But there are reports the Pelicans are hiring the voice of the Tulane Green Wave, Todd Graffagnini, as their new radio play-by-play man. Sean Kelley is moving on to a national gig.

A CBS Sports report says at least six college basketball programs will be notified of major NCAA violations this summer. It’s tied to the federal government’s investigation into corruption in major college basketball.

If LSU receives a notice of violations, new AD Scott Woodward can fire Coach Will Wade with cause and also receive an automatic two-year contract extension because the NCAA violations occurred before he took over. But Assistant Tiger Rag Editor Tyler Nunez says such a move would draw the ire of LSU fans who want Wade as their basketball coach…
cut 11 (10) “…look at him”
The FBI reportedly has a wiretap conversation between Wade and a convicted middleman, where Wade discusses a strong offer made to a recruit’s family.

We are one week away from the NBA draft and its seems possible that the Pelicans will trade Anthony Davis before next Thursday. The Lakers and Celtics have reportedly made offers to the Pels, but L-A is apparently not willing to trade Kyle Kuzman and if A-D goes to Boston, there’s a good chance he will not re-sign there as Davis’ camp has expressed a desire to sign a long-term contract with either the Knicks or Lakers.