Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry said today they want DeMarcus Cousins to return for the 2018-19 season. Cousins is an unrestricted free agent this summer and is rehabbing from a torn achilles tendon. Gentry says its important to keep a core in place. General Manager Dell Demps echoed those statements and also said they want Rajon Rondo to return as his one-year contract is up.

Saints Safety Marcus Willliams told ESPN’s Mike Triplett that he doesn’t really talk about the final play of the season. Williams misplayed a pass to Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs, who ended up running down the sidelines for the winning score to eliminate New Orleans from the playoffs. Williams, who had a fantastic rookie campaign, says he’s excited about next season as he believes they can be a great team with a great secondary.

Meanwhile, running back Mark Ingram who is in the final year of his contract, will reportedly skip O-T-A’s, but he’ll be with the team at minicamp.

Tiger-Rag-dot-com reports former Ohio State quarterback Joe Burrow will visit LSU this sweekend. Sports Illustrated also reported that Burrow will visit Cincinnati. Burrow announced on Tuesday that he’ll transfer from Ohio State and since he graduates this spring, he can play next season and has two years of eligibility remaining. It’s unclear if Burrow will visit any other schools besides LSU and Cincinnati.

LSU baseball defeated McNeese 13-3 last night in a game that ended in the 7th inning because of a 10-run rule. Daniel Cabrera hit a three-run homer to lead the offense. Nick Stroz pitched two shutout innings of relief in his second appearance of the season. The Tigers host Alabama this weekend.

Elsewhere, Grambling committed six errors and Louisiana Tech trounced the Tigers 12-1. Reliever Ben Stiglets pitched four innings out of the bullpen for his first win. Tech is at ninth ranked Southern Miss this weekend.

Nicholls doubled up Southern eight to four. Dillon Belle belted a grand slam.

An arbitrator has denied Saints running back Mark Ingram’s appeal of a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The NFL network announced the Saints do not plan on signing a free-agent running back. Which means they’ll ask Jonathan Williams, Trey Edmunds and Boston Scott to help out Alvin Kamara carry the load in the backfield.

Former LSU Tiger Danny Etling has signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots. Many were surprised the Patriots picked Etling in the seventh round. Even though he signed the contract, he still has to make the team. The Falcons also signed their sixth round pick, former LSU wide receiver Russell Gage.

In the high school baseball playoffs…Class B, Zwolle and Oak Hill have advanced to Friday’s championship game. In Class C, Simpson and Harrisonburg are in Friday’s title game.

In Division Five, Grace Christian and Claiborne Christian will battle for the Division Five title on Friday.

Class 3A seminfals are today….top seeded Sterlington will take on Berwick. Iota faces Brusly as the top four seeds are still alive.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a 113-to-104 loss to Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals. Anthony Davis was asked after the game if this was a successful season…
cut 7 (09) “…really had”
We’ll see if the Pelicans re-sign the injured DeMarcus Cousins.

According to Mark Ingram’s lawyer, the Saints running back vigorously challenged his four-game suspension, but lost his case in front of an arbitrator. Ingram will have to miss the first four games, because he violated the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the suspension couldn’t come at a worse time for Ingram, who’s entering a contract year and showing signs of playing hardball.
Cut 15 (09) “suspension”
There’s a report saying the Saints will not re-sign Ingram after this season.

LSU has received a verbal commitment from four-star Michigan offensive lineman Anthony Bradford. Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State and Oregon also offered the 2019 recruit. He’s six-foot-five, 320 pounds and is ranked as the 28th best offensive tackle in the country.

Quarterback Joe Burrow, who is transferring from Ohio State, will reportedly visit LSU this weekend according to multiple media reports. LSU and Cincinnati have been the only schools granted the opportunity to talk with the signal caller, who will be able to play this season and has two years of eligibility left.

Just eight games left in the regular season for the LSU baseball team, who hosts McNeese tonight. The Tigers will start Caleb Gilbert on the mound and big right-hander Nick Storz is expected to see some action. He’s been limited to just one inning this season, because of shoulder problems. McNeese is led by senior Joe Provenzano, who has nine multiple hit games in his last 12 contests.

In other action, Louisiana Tech hosts Grambling State tonight, while Southern visits Nicholls State.

The Pelicans season ended last night a 113-to-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says playing the defending champs in the playoffs was a good measuring stick for the franchise…
cut 8 (12) “…as a franchise”
Now we wait to see if they re-sign the injured DeMarcus Cousins.

The NFL suspends Saints running back Mark Ingram for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Ingram’s production is tough to replace.
Cut 13 (09) “Mark Ingram”
Ingram is appealing the suspension.

West Monroe native Jerry Stovall will have his jersey retired during a ceremony during a game this fall. Stovall joins an exclusive group of LSU legends who have had their jersey retired. In football, it’s just Billy Cannon and Tommy Casanova. Stoval says it’s a humbling honor, but he didn’t achieve it by himself…
cut 29 (09) “…names on it”
Stovall was known as “Mr. Everything” and finished as a runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1962.

In college baseball…Northwestern State defeated Grambling seven to three last night. Tonight, Grambling hosts Louisiana Tech. It’s the Bulldogs final non-conference game of the season and they blanked Grambling 8-0 on March 6th.

McNeese has won two straight over LSU and the two teams meet again tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Caleb Gilbert is set to start on the mound for the Tigers.

The Pelicans will attempt to keep their season alive tonight when they face Golden State in Oracle Arena down three games to one in their Western Conference Semifinal series. New Orleans did not practice yesterday as Coach Alvin Gentry decided his team needed a day off. The Warriors have won 14 straight home playoff games. Tip off is at 9:30.

In a expected move, the Saints have reportedly released tight end Coby Fleener. He was signed in 2016 to a 36-million dollar contract as a replacement to the traded Jimmy Graham. But it never worked out for Fleener, who caught just 22 passes last season.

Former LSU Tiger Booger McFarland will reportedly serve as a sideline analyst during Monday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN. Joe Tessitore and Jason Witten will be in the booth, while McFarland will give his thoughts from down on the field. He’s been a college football analyst for ESPN since 2014.

The LSU baseball team is off tonight. They will host McNeese tomorrow. The Cowboys have defeated the Tigers the last two seasons. Coach Paul Mainieri said on his radio show last night that Caleb Gilbert will start on the mound. Freshman right-hander Nick Stroz is expected to pitch out of the bullpen. He’s only thrown one inning this season, because of shoulder problems. And infielder Josh Smith is likely out another week as he tries to correct his back problems.

On the baseball diamond tonight, Northwestern State will host Grambling State.

Southeastern’s Corey Gaconi has been named Southland Pitcher of the Week. Gaconi tossed a two-hit shutout Sunday as S-L-U blanked Southland conference lead Sam Houston six to nothing. Southeastern is just 1.5 games back of the first-place Bearkats.

Nicholls Senior catcher Kyle Knauth is the hitter of the week. The Mandeville native had six RBIs in a game against Stephen F Austin and also drove in five runs against Priairie View A-and-M and had 13 RBIs for the week.

No practice today for the Pelicans as Coach Alvin Gentry says the players needed to rest their bodies and minds after a 118-92 loss to Golden State last night. The Warriors have a three games to one lead in the series and can advance to the Western Conference Finals with a win tomorrow night on their home floor. Gentry on his team’s difficult position…
cut 17 (17) “…be over”
The Pelicans have won just three games at Oracle Arena over the last seven years.

The Saints have reportedly released tight end Coby Fleener after two seasons of a five year, 36-million dollar contract. Last year, Fleener caught just 22 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. You knew this was coming after the Saints brought back Benjamin Watson.

With LSU’s NCAA Baseball tournament chances on the bubble, the Tigers fought hard this past weekend and picked up a huge series victory over 4th ranked Arkansas. LSU closed out the series on Sunday with a 7-5 win, much to the delight of Coach Paul Mainieri…
Cut 19 (15) ” coming up”
LSU right-hander AJ Labas was named SEC Freshman of the Week. Labas made his first conference start yesterday and pitched six solid innings against the Razorbacks, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out three.

Southeastern’s Corey Gaconi has been named Southland Pitcher of the Week. Gaconi tossed a two-hit shutout yesterday in S-L-U’s six to nothing win over Southland conference leading Sam Houston State. Southeastern is just 1.5 games back of the first-place Bearkats.

After yesterday’s 118-92 loss to Golden State, the Pelicans now trail the best of seven series with Golden State three games to one. Only eleven NBA teams have been able to come back from that deficit and win a series. Game 4 is tomorrow night and Pelicans Guard Jrue Holiday says they have to play desperate….
cut 18 (13) “…have to be”
New Orleans has to shoot better from three-point territory. They only knocked down four 3s in yesterday’s loss.

The LSU baseball team desperately needed a good weekend after losing seven of nine and the Tigers came through with a series victory over fourth ranked Arkansas. AJ Labas started and tossed six strong innings and Matthew Beck pitched a season high three shutout innings for his first save.

The Ragin Cajuns four-game winning streak ended yesterday with a 10-3 loss to 15th ranked Coastal Carolina. ULM swept a Sun Belt Series for the first time since 2014 by taking three from Georgia State. Louisiana Tech is in third place in Conference USA after dropping a series to Middle Tennessee.

Multiple reports say former LSU Tiger and Winnboro native Booger McFarland will join the Monday Night Football Broadcast crew. He’ll serve as an on field analyst.

Season ticket renewals for LSU football games have only declined one-percent, despite a concern about a dramatic drop in season ticket holders, because of changes with federal tax laws. Fans can no longer deduct the contribution they make that gives them an opportunity to purchase season tickets. Tiger Athletic Foundation President Rick Perry….
cut 14 (09) “…effects”
College football attendence has been on the decline the last four years.

The Pelicans are one game away from elimination from the NBA playoffs after Kevin Durant scored 38 points in Golden State’s 118-92 win over New Orleans to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The Warriors started the game on a 20-6 run and Coach Alvin Gentry’s team never fully recovered…
Cut 16 (09) “defensively”
The Pelicans made just four-three pointers. Game 5 is tomorrow night in Oakland.

The LSU baseball team improved its chances of making the NCAA Tournament after taking two of three from Arkansas. The Tigers clinched the series with a 7-5 victory on Sunday…
cut 20 (09) “…today too”
Ruston’s Zach Watson had three hits and drove in two runs.

The Ragin Cajuns four-game winning streak ended yesterday with a 10-3 loss to 15th ranked Coastal Carolina. ULM swept a Sun Belt Series for the first time since 2014 by taking three from Georgia State. Louisiana Tech is in third place in Conference USA after dropping a series to Middle Tennessee. Southeasetern Louisiana won a big series on the road taking two of three from Southland Conference leader Sam Houston.

College football attendance has dropped four straight years nationwide, but LSU officials says they’ve only seen a one percent drop in non-renewals for season tickets this year. Despite not having a 10-win season since 2013, Tiger fans are not giving up their season tickets. Tiger Athletics Foundation President Rick Perry says if anything, tickets are becoming even more sought after.
Cut 13 (07) “last year”

The Pelicans are hoping the home crowd can help them get a victory over Golden State and avoid an 0-3 hole in the best of seven Western Conference semifinal series. It’s a matchup between two of the fastest, most up tempo teams in the league, and some fans are getting worried that it’s impossible to beat Golden State at their own game. Coach Alvin Gentry says no matter what, they are not changing what’s gotten them this far.
Cut 20 (18) “the league”
The game tips off at 7.

Rough game for former LSU standout Ben Simmons last night. Simmons scored just one point and through the first two games of the series, he has 12 turnovers and 13 assists as the 76ers trail two games to none.

LSU enters this weekend on the bubble to make the NCAA Baseball Tournament and there’s just three weeks left in the regular season. The Tigers can boost their RPI with a series victory over 4th ranked Arkansas this weekend. LSU has won 12 of the last 13 SEC regular-season series versus the Hogs. That includes the Rally Possum game two years ago in Baton Rouge. Coach Paul Mainieri says he can’t explain the Tigers success against the Hogs, considering the number of great players that have come through the Razorback program….
cut 17 (19) “….overtime that”
First pitch tonight is at 7 PM.

Other series of note, the Ragin Cajuns host 15th ranked Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Tech hosts Middle Tennessee. First game is at 7 PM tonight.

Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Pelicans and Warriors is tonight inside the Smoothie King Center. Golden State has a two games to nothing lead and the defending champs have taken an alarming lead in the amount of free throws earned in the series, but coach Alvin Gentry says that will not discourage the Pels from continuing to pound the ball inside…
cut 19 (15) “….do it”
Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday did not attempt a single free throw in Game 2’s loss.

It’s also a big weekend of high school baseball quarterfinal as there are best of three series involving most of the classes in division. In Class 5A, 4th seeded Barbe hosts fifth seeded Captian Shreve. In Four-A, 27th seeded Buckeye is still around and they face third seeded DeRidder.

The LSU baseball team can turn its season around, if they can take this weekend’s series versus fourth ranked Arkansas. Coach Paul Mainieri’s team is in a slump, while the Razorbacks are one of the top teams in a loaded SEC
Cut 16 (15) “pitching great”
LSU’s Josh Smith is not expected to play this weekend because of a bad back. Arkansas is also dealing with injuries. Closer Matt Cronin might not be available this weekend and one of Arkansas’ best hitters Carson Shaddy is also banged up.

The Ragin Cajuns host 15th ranked Coastal Carolina this weekend. UL Lafayette has won 14 of its last 18.

Louisiana Tech is in second place in Conference USA and they host Middle Tennessee this weekend. The Blue Raiders are in 10th place.