Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that newly signed wide receiver Cam Meredith is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury that forced him to miss all of last season with the Chicago Bears. Meredith took part in O-T-A drills today. Mark Ingram was not at today’s O-T-A session, but Payton says he expects Ingram will attend the team’s mandatory minicamp next month.

LSU’s attendance for the 2017 season ranks as the sixth best in the country among F-B-S schools. That’s according to a report from the National Football Foundation. Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama and Texas A-and-M ranked ahead of the Tigers.

Anthony Davis was named to the All-NBA First Team. Joining A-D on that Superstar squad are LeBron James, James Harden, Damian Lilliard and Kevin Durant. It’s the second year in a row that Davis has been named a first-teamer. And A-D is now eligible to sign a supermax contract extension next summer, which would pay him an estimated 230-million dollars.

A crazy college baseball game was completed today at the Sun Belt Tournament in Lafayette. It saw UL Lafayette beat Little Rock 19-16. Junior Hunter Kasuls tied a program and Sun Belt Record with 9 RBIs. He hit two home runs, including a grand slam. The 35 runs combined are a tournament record. The Cajuns will face third-seeded Troy in a winner’s bracket game tonight.

Louisiana Tech is in the losers bracket of the Conference USA Tournament after losing to Rice 6-2 in a game that had to be carried over from yesterday because of multiple lightning delays and postponements. The Bulldogs are set to play an elimination game tonight versus F-I-U.

At the Southland tournament, seventh seeded Nicholls State defeated sixth seeded McNeese State 10-4 in an elimination game. It’s the first postseason win for Nicholls since 2011. Cayden Hatcher was the winning pitcher as he gave up one earned run in eight innings. Joey Morales drove in four runs.

LSU is playing South Carolina in an elimination game at the SEC Tourney.

The LSU baseball team suffered a tough loss last night in the SEC Tournament as they fell 4-3 to top ranked Florida. The Tigers had a chance to take the lead in the 8th inning, when they had runners at second and third base. Jake Slaughter hit a sharp grounder, but Florida third baseman Jonathan India dove to his right to catch it and made a perfect throw to first to get the Gators out of the inning. Coach Paul Mainieri says it was a tough break….
cut 30 (11) “….can be”
The Tigers play an elimination game this afternoon in Hoover, Alabama against South Carolina. The Gamecocks lost last night to Arkansas.

At the Sun Belt tournament, a wild game that started last night between UL Lafayette and Troy finished this morning and the Cajuns came out on top 19-16. UL Lafayette scored 10 runs in the final three innings to secure the victory and they took advantage of six errors by Little Rock. The Cajuns will face Troy tonight at around 9 PM.

For Louisiana Tech to stay out of the Conference USA losers bracket, the Bulldogs will need a big rally to beat the Rice. Their game against the Owls was halted in the seventh inning with Tech trailing six to one. The game resumes this afternoon in Biloxi.

LSU could not hold on to a three run lead and lost 4-3 to the top ranked team in the country, the Florida Gators yesterday. The tough loss puts the Tigers in the losers bracket of the SEC Tournament. Florida committed four errors and LSU had two runners in scoring position in the eighth inning, but couldn’t cash in. Coach Paul Mainieri…
cut 30 (18) “…short today”
LSU will face South Carolina at 1:00 in an elimination game.

UL Lafayette and Little Rock will resume its game at 8:30 this morning. The game was suspended last night because of inclement weather in Lafayette. The Cajuns lead 8-7 in the fourth inning.

Louisiana Tech is down seven to one to Rice in the 7th inning will have their game resume in Biloxi at 12:30 today.

Big upset in the Southland Tournament yesterday as eighth seeded UNO knocked off top seeded Sam Houston four to three in ten innings. Beau Bratton tied the game in the eighth inning with a two-run triple and Cody Ducote drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. The Privateers face Houston Baptist tonight.

McNeese and Nicholls meet in an elimination game at 9 AM, while Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern face each other at 4 PM in a winner’s bracket game.

Family and friends paid their final respects to LSU legend Bill Cannon yesterday. Former teammate and friend Jimmy Field spoke at Cannon’s funeral in the Maravich Center and he once asked the Heisman Trophy winner if had butterflies before fielding a punt. Cannon didn’t hesitate….
cut 9 (07) “…are full”
Cannon died Sunday morning at the age of 80.

And there’s a lot of discussion about the NFL’s new National Anthem policy, which could lead to fines for players who do stand during the Star Spangled Banner.

The LSU baseball team roared back from a 3-0 deficit in the 5th inning to beat Mississippi State 8-5 last night to advance to the double elimination portion of the SEC Tournament. The Tigers scored two runs in the 5th, 6th 7th and 8th innings for a victory that should help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri on the comeback…
cut 30 (19) “…battle back”
LSU faces top ranked Florida at around 4:30 this afternoon.

Starting at noon today, Billy Cannon’s public visitation will begin inside the Maravich Center on the LSU Campus. A funeral service from two to three PM will follow visitation.

Second-seeded Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament in Biloxi today by facing seventh-seeded Rice at 12:30 at MGM Park. The Bulldogs swept the Owls in Ruston, to open the first weekend of league play. Left-hander David Leal will start for Tech.

The second-seeded UL Lafayette baseball team begins play in the Sun Belt Tournament by hosting Little Rock at Russo Park. The Ragin Cajuns are on a four-game winning streak, while the Trojans beat Georgia State 2-1 in an elimination game yesterday.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament begins today in Frisco, Texas. First game of the day is at 9:30 as Northwestern State meets McNeese. Following that game it’s Nicholls versus S-L-U.

In the American Athletic Confernece, Tulane beat Houston 11-6 yesterday and they’ll face East Carolina today.

The NFL owners approve new rules in an effort to make kick-offs safer. Players on the kicking team cannot line up more than one yard from the point of the kickoff.

Later today it will be LSU versus Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. LSU is on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament after a 15-and-15 showing in the Southeastern Conference this season. LSU was scheduled to play at 4:30, but a rain delay in the first game of the tournament has pushed everything back.

We’ll find out tomorrow morning whether New Orleans will host an 11th Super Bowl. Saints Owner Gayle Benson will make an official presentation for the Big Easy to host the Super Bowl in 2024. New Orleans is the only candidate to host Super Bowl 58 under the league’s new bidding process.

The NFL is also considering a new policy where the home team will decide if the two teams should take the field for the playing of the National Anthem. Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback says the league’s owners are also discussing a 15-yard penalty for kneeling during the anthem.

Billy Cannon’s funeral will be tomorrow inside the Maravich Center, starting at noon. The visitation and funeral services, which will start at 2 PM, will both be open to the public. The 1959 Heisman Trophy Winner passed away peacefully in his St. Francisville home on Sunday at the age of 80.

Louisiana Tech announces they will celebrate the first 50 years of football at Joe Aillet Stadium by honoring the top 50 Bulldog players to ever play in the stadium during the home opener against Southern on September eighth. The 32 members of the All-Century Team will be included on the 50th Anniversary Team.

O-T-A’s began today for the Saints. First time the team was on the field since the heart-breaking playoff loss to the Vikings. Running back Alvin Kamara says they can’t dwell on last season…
cut 30 (13) “….better things”

The LSU baseball team can make a statement today that they belong in the NCAA Tournament when they face Mississippi State today in the SEC Tournament. The Tigers could use a win or two to help build their NCAA Tournament resume. Today’s round of the SEC Tourney is single-elimination, so a loss today puts the Tigers in jeopardy of not playing in a Regional.

UL Lafayette is hosting the Sun Belt Tournament, which begins today at Russo Park with a couple of play in games. Cajuns pitcher Colten Schmidt was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. He’s the sixth player in program history to receive that award and the third to do it in the last five seasons.

Northwestern State’s David Fry has been named Southland Player of the Year. Fry has belted 11 home runs and driven in 15 runs during the season. Northwestern’s Bobby Barbier is the Coach of the Year after leading an eight-win improvement in conference play.

Public funeral services will take place tomorrow on the LSU campus for legendary football player Billy Cannon. Visitation begins at noon at the Maravich Center and the funeral gets underway at two PM.

Louisiana Tech announces they will celebrate the first 50 years of football at Joe Aillet Stadium by honoring the top 50 Bulldog players to ever play in the stadium during the home opener against Southern on September eighth. .

Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry reiterated they would like to see All-Star DeMarcus Cousins return to the team. Cousins is an unrestricted free agent and said last week he’s open to signing with New Orleans after July 1st, but hasn’t heard from the Pelicans front office in a while. Gentry spoke with reporters at the Saints Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic….
cut 19 (20) “…him back”

The LSU baseball team’s season could be on the line today versus Mississippi State in a single-elimination game at the SEC Tournament. The Tigers are on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament and a loss to the Bulldogs could burst their bubble. Coach Paul Mainieri says left-hander Nick Bush will make his fourth start…
Cut 20 (20) shutout innings”
According to Warren-Nolan-dot-com, LSU has an RPI of 43. Is that good enough to make the NCAA Touranament if the Tigers lose today? First pitch is at 4:30.

Billy Cannon’s visitation and funeral will take place tomorrow in the PMAC and it’s open to the public, beginning at noon. Cannon died Sunday at the age of 80.

Organized Trained Activities begin today for the Saints as it’s the first time the team will be on the field since the heart-breaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Running back Alvin Kamara says they can’t dwell on last season’s division championship….
cut 30 (13) “….better things”
New Orleans could be awarded a Super Bowl this week. The city is the only one bidding to host the big game in 2024 and the NFL owners will either reject or accept their bid as part of the league’s new process in selecting Super Bowl sites.

Ragin Cajuns pitcher Colten Schmidt is the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. He’s 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Northwestern State’s David Fry is the Southland Player of the Year as the first baseman from Texas has 11 home runs and 51 RBIs this season. Right-handed pitcher Jerry Maddox is the Newcomer of the Year with a 7-3 record and a 2.11 ERA. And Northwestern State’s Bobby Barbier is the Coach of the Year.

LSU is mourning the death of Billy Cannon, the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner died Sunday at age of 80. Cannon won the Heisman in 1959, the year before the Tigers went undefeated to win a national championship. In a 2015 interview with Tiger Rag President Jim Engster, Cannon was so confident they would win the SEC, he bought a bunch of tickets for his family and friends before the season started…
cut 5 (09) “…be there”

Saints Owner Gayle Benson will bid on Wednesday at the NFL owners meeting for New Orleans to host a Super Bowl in 2024.
cut 7 (09) “…Bowl better”
That’s Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, who says New Orleans is the only city that’s been asked to present a bid for that year.

Ohio State grad transfer quarterback Joe Burrow has made the decision to continue his college career at LSU. Is Burrow the answer to LSU’s problems at quarterback? Matt Mascona with ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, says Coach Ed Orgeron is taking a calculated risk with Burrow…
cut 17 (16) “…at quarterback”
Burrow has spent the past three seasons at Ohio State as a back-up. He graduated, which allows him to play this fall and he has two years of eligibility left.

The LSU baseball team leaves today for the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers will face Mississippi State at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon. LSU took two of three from State in the regular season, but the Bulldogs just swept top ranked Florida.

LSU is mourning the loss of Billy Cannon, who passed away peacefully at the age of 80. Cannon is the only Heisman Trophy winner in LSU’s history and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. His magical 89-yard punt return for a touchdown on Halloween night versus Ole Miss is one of the greatest plays in school history. Cannon saw a fall from grace in the 1980s when he was sentenced to five years in prison for leading a counterfeiting scheme. He served two-and-half years and after his release served as the Director of Dentistry at the state prison in Angola.

The LSU baseball team leaves today for the SEC Tournament, where they’ll play Mississippi State tomorrow afternoon in a single elimination game in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers lost two of three to Auburn this past weekend and they’ll face a Bulldog team that just swept number one ranked Florida.

Grambling State was thumped by Alabama State 18-3 yesterday in the SWAC Tournament Championship game.

The Ragin Cajuns are the number two seed in the Sun Belt Tournament and they’ll play Wednesday night at Russo Park in Lafayette. Louisiana Tech is the number two seed in the Conference USA Touranent and the Bulldogs will play Rice on Wednesday afternoon in Biloxi.

At the Southland Tournament on Wednday, Northwestern State will play McNeese, Southeastern will take on Nicholls.

The LSU softball team advances to the Super Regionals after beating UL Lafayette 3-1 in a winner take all regional championship game.

Ohio State graduate transfer quarterback Joe Burrow has announced he’s LSU bound. Burrow who visited the campus recently made his decision on Friday and he’ll compete with three other quarterbacks to be the starter this fall. Matt Mascona, the host of After Further Review on ESPN Baton Rouge Radio, says Burrow has a skill set the other Q-Bs on LSU’s roster do not have…
cut 16 (17) “…very raw”

Big night for LSU athletics last night as the football program successfully convinced quarterback Joe Burrow to transfer from Ohio State to Tiger Town. Burrow, who is eligible to play this season, gives the Tigers four quarterbacks to compete to be the starter. But Burrows arrival could mean either Myles Brennan, Lowell Narcisse or Justin McMillan will transfer. Burrow also visited Cincinnati before making his decision to come to LSU.

And the LSU Baseball team won a big game last night versus Auburn six to two as freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard outpitched Auburn’s ace Casey Mize. Mize, who could be the number one pick in next month’s Major League Baseball Draft, gave up four runs in the sixth inning to suffer his fourth loss on the year. Meanwhile, Hilliard gave up two runs over 7.1 innings to improve his record to 9-4. Zach Watson started the four-run rally with a one-out double and had three hits on the night. The regular season concludes today at one PM.

The Ragin Cajuns won the Sun Belt Western Division last night with a nine to six win over ULM. Hogan Harris was the winning pitcher, Chad Bell drove in three runs in a losing effort.

Louisiana Tech won its 20th conference game for the first time in program history last night with an 11-8 series clinching win over Old Dominion. Freshman Steele Netterville continues to swing a hot bat as he went 4-for-5 at the plate and for the second straight night finished a cycle away from hitting for a triple. Parker Bates scored three runs.

Southeastern Louisiana finished its regular season last night with a 5-4 win over 20th ranked Houston. The Lions scored four runs in the eighth inning.

Nicholls kept its postseason hopes alive by blanking Central Arkansas four to nothing. Alex Ernestine threw a five-hit shutout. The Colonels are competing with UNO for the final playoff spot in the Southland Tournament.

UNO and Northwestern State will play a doubleheader today at noon at Maestri Field.