The LSU basketball team returns to practice today. Interim head coach Tony Benford says he plans on coaching the team at this weekend’s SEC Tournament, while the status of freshman guard Javonte Smart could be determined today. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU for the USA Today Network…
cut 15 (09) “…of what ifs”
LSU is trying to determine if Smart’s family received a payment, which was suggested in reported FBI wiretap involving Coach Wade.

It doesn’t look like the Saints are re-signing running back Mark Ingram as there are reports the Black and Gold have inked former Vikings running back Latavius Murray to a four-year contract worth 14-million dollars.

But quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is set to come back. The NFL Network reports Bridgewater is expected to resign with the Saints, even though he received a bigger offer from the Dolphins.

Later tonight at the Fant-Ewing Colisuem, ULM will host Appalachian State in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament. The winner will advance to play Coastal Carolina in New Orleans on Thursday night.

The SWAC Tournament also gets underway tonight, Grambling hosts Arkansas Pine Bluff, while Southern is at Texas Southern.

The 13th ranked LSU baseball team visits Natchitoches for the first time since 2014 when they play Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field. Demons head coach Bobby Barbier says it should be a fun night at the park…
Cut 16 (15) “tickets sold”
The Demons are 7-6 on the season, while LSU is 11-4.

In other action today, ULM hosts Southern. UNO is at UL-Lafayette, McNeese visits Tulane, Louisiana Tech hosts Sam Houston State, while Nicholls hosts Alcorn State.

So what benefit is it to LSU to suspend head basketball coach Will Wade for his alleged role in an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption? LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says it makes the school look better in the NCAA’s eyes since they’ve taken steps towards self-disciplinary actions
Cut 13 (06) “…of institutional control.”
The NCAA is watching what federal prosecutors find as they investigate the practice of giving recruits and middlemen money to play at certain schools.

The LSU basketball team returns to practice today. Interim head coach Tony Benford says Naz Reid will play in Friday’s SEC Tournament game after missing Saturday’s contest, because of injuries, but Javonte Smart’s status remains uncertain.

The Saints have re-signed linebacker and special teams captain Craig Robertson to a two-year contract extension. The team also re-signed special teams standout and Safety Chris Banjo to three-year contract extension.

NFL teams could begin talking with free agents yesterday and safeties did very well on the open market. Former LSU Tiger Tyrann Mathieu has reportedly agreed to a three-year 42-million dollar contract with the Chiefs. The Redskins have agreed to sign former Dutchtown star Landon Collins to a six-year deal worth 84-million dollars, 45-million of it is guaranteed.

In college baseball…10th ranked LSU is at Northwestern State tonight. The Demons are 7-and-6, while the Tigers are 11-and-4. LSU shortstop Josh Smith says not a bad start so far…
cut 17 (13) “….how it goes”
Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Sam Houston State, while Southern is at ULM.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade remains suspended. Interim head coach Tony Benford says they should have more information tomorrow about freshman guard Javonte Smart after he was held out of Saturday’s game, so the university can look into alleged improper payments made to his family. But Benford says they expect freshman Naz Reid back after missing Saturday’s game because of injuries….
cut 4 (11) “…his situation”
LSU’s first game in the SEC Tournament is Friday against either Florida or Arkansas.

The Saints have signed veteran linebacker Craig Robertson to a two-year contract extension. Robertson has been with the Black and Gold since 2016 and the 31-year-old has served as a team captain, playing on both defense and special teams. The team has also a re-signed safety Chris Banjo to a three-year deal.

Free agency begins Wednesday and safeties will get paid. When teams can officially sign free agents, former Dutchtown star Landon Collins will reportedly receive a massive six-year, 84 million dollar contract with the Redskins.

Former Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro is reportedly staying with the Titans as Tennessee is signing him to a four-year, 26-million dollar contract.

Former LSU Tiger Kwon Alexander has reportedly agreed to a four-year 54 million dollar contract with San Francisco.

The Pelicans are in Milwaukee tomorrow night to take on the Bucks. New Orleans has already ruled guard Jrue Holiday out for the game, because of a lower abdominal strain. The Pels have lost three straight after falling to Atlanta yesterday.

Also tomorrow, the LSU baseball team will be in Natchitoches to take on the Northwestern State Demons. It’s been the Tigers have been at Brown-Stroud Field since 2014. LSU is 11-and-4 after splitting a doubleheader with Cal on Saturday, while the Demons are seven and six.

Also tomorrow, Louisiana Tech hosts Sam Houston State, Southern is at ULM, McNeese visits Tulane and the Ragin Cajuns host UNO.

A raucous LSU crowd celebrated an SEC title in basketball on Saturday, but before and during the games expressed anger towards athletic director Joe Alleva for suspending coach Will Wade. Freshman Javonte Smart was also held out, because of reports the FBI has a recorded conversation with Wade trying to set up a payment for a recruit, believed to be Smart. With Smart out, Marshall Graves hit four three-pointers. He says the players fed off the crowd’s energy…
Cut 13 (15) “…represent them well.”
It doesn’t appear Wade’s suspension will be lifted anytime soon. Interim Head Coach Tony Benford was asked on today’s SEC coaches teleconference about whether he’ll continue directing the program…
cut 3 (11) “…the tournament”
LSU’s first game in the SEC tournament is Friday.

NFL teams can begin negotiationing with free agents today and officially sign them on Wednesday. It’s been reported the Bears and Packers are interested in running back Mark Ingram, who has expressed interest in re-signing with the Saints. But will New Orleans sign a big check for a running back that is 29-years-old.

Here’s the upcoming schedule for conference basketball tournaments, ULM is the seven-seed in the Sun Belt Tournament and the Warhawks wil host Appalachian State tomorrow night. The Ragin Cajuns have a bye and they’ll play on Thursday in New Orleans the winner of tomorrow night’s game between South Alabama and Arkansas State.

Louisiana Tech has a first round game against F-A-U on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas.

UNO and Southeastern Louisiana will play in the second round in the Southland tournament in Katy Texas.

The first round of the SWAC begins tomorrow. Grambling hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff, while Southern is at Texas Southern.

The LSU basketball team is SEC regular season champs for the first time in a decade after pounding Vanderbilt 80-59. The Tigers won on Saturday night without suspended head coach Will Wade. Tony Benford is the interim head coach in Wade’s absence and Freshman forward Darius Days says the coaches had the Tigers prepared….
Cut 14 (14) “…we won.”
It’s unclear if Wade will return after multiple reports say the FBI has a recorded conversation with Wade and a recruiting middleman that discusses a payment for Javonte Smart’s family. Legal analyst Tim Meche doesn’t expect any legal ramifications against the university if the allegations are true…
cut 6 (11) “….Mr Smart’s scheme”
Wade has also been subpoenaed for the upcoming college basketball corruption trial.

The Pelicans lost their third straight last night as they fell to Atlanta 128 to 116. New Orleans played without injured guards Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore.

In NFL news, Ian Rapoport reports the Bears and Packers are among the teams interested in signing unrestricted free agent running back Mark Ingram. Ingram has said he hopes to re-sign with the Saints, but it’s unclear what kind of offer he’ll get from New Orleans.

And the Bucs are reportedly looking to trade wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson has made it known he would like to go to the Eagles.

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says the school decided to suspend basketball coach Will Wade indefinitely after he declined to provide further information on the media reports that came out Thursday from an alleged FBI wire tap. Munson says the invitation to meet is still open to coach Wade.

Earlier in the day, LSU President F King Alexander and atheltic direct Joe Alleva released a statement that said reports of an alleged offer that made with a recruiting middleman that could involve a member of the current team is without question concerning to all of us.

Wade released a statement to media members that says the various media reports do not begin to tell the full story and asks everyone to withhold their judgement until the record is complete.

The Tigers can clinch at least a share of an SEC championship with a win tonight over Vanderbilt. Tony Benford will serve as an acting head coach.
__________________________________________________________

The 10th ranked LSU baseball team ended an emotional day on the Baton Rouge campus with a walk off win over California. Shortstop Josh Smith extended his 13-game hitting streak with a bases loaded single with two outs to give the Tigers a four win over Cal. LSU is now 10-3 and they’ll play a doubleheader against the Bears today, starting at one o clock, because expected rain on Sunday.

In other baseball action, 15th ranked Arkansas doubled up Louisiana Tech four to two. McNeese outscored ULM 13-12, the Cajuns blanked Loyola Marymount five to nothing, UNO edged Nicholls three to two, Central ARkansas knocked off Southeastern Louisiana 3-1.

In the NBA, Toronto beat the Pelicans 127 to 104.

In Lake Charles,, Simpson, Breaux Bridge and North Central won their first state titles in boys basketball. For North Central, Apphia Jordan becomes the first woman to lead a boys basketball team to a state championship.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade is under a microscope as a result of an alleged FBI wiretap that reportedly has Wade telling a recruiting handler that a strong offer has been made to a recruit’s family and the compensation would be more than the rookie minimum.

Yahoo sports was the first to report on the story and media members had a chance to ask Wade about it after a luncheon. But Wade said he had not seen the story and added that they’ll move forward as they need to.

The wire tap is part of a federal investigation into college basketball recruiting, three men have already been sentenced to jail and another trial is coming up next month. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network says it’s hard to say where this will lead for the LSU Tigers…
cut 5 (10) “…worst of it”
LSU can win an SEC title tomorrow with a win over Vanderbilt.

Cedric Russell scored a career-high 34 points as the Ragin Cajuns defeated Arkansas Little Rock 77-72. The win gives UL Lafayette a 9-8 record in the Sun Belt.

ULM fell to 8-and-9 after losing to Arkansas State 73-72.It’s their fourth loss in conference play by one point.

10th ranked LSU baseball begins a weekend series tonight against California. Zack Hess will start on the mound tonight and freshman Cole Henry will start Saturday in the place of Landon Marceaux, who struggled last weekend in Texas. Coach Paul Mainieri believes Henry can handle a weekend start…
Cut 16 (16) “talent”
Sophomore Eric Walker is scheduled to start Sunday.

Also this weekend, La Tech is at Arkansas. ULM hosts McNeese and UNO is at Nicholls

Yahoo Sports and ESPN reports the FBI intercepted telephone calls between LSU Coach Will Wade and recruiting middleman Christian Dawkins, in which Wade expressed frustation that he had yet to receive a commitment from a recruit, despite a strong offer that was made. The FBI wire taps are from 2017 and it’s believed Wade is not happy with a handler of current LSU guard Javonte Smart. Wade reportedly says its hell of an offer for a kid who will be at LSU for two or three years. Wade spoke today at a luncheon and told reporters afterwards that he had not seen the report, but they’ll move forward as they need to.

Meanwhile on the court, Wade and the Tigers are one win away from clinching at least a share of the Southeastern Conference title when they host Vanderbilt on Saturday. LSU played in its seventh overtime game of the season last night and beat Florida 79-78. The victory caps off an undefeated run in SEC road games for this season.

Spring football begins today for the LSU Tigers, one of the big position battles to watch is at running back. LSU’s leading rusher last season, Nick Brossette, has moved on, so the Tigers will look to fill the void he leaves behind. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the team’s returning leading rusher, but Assistant Tiger Rag Editor Tyler Nunez says an incoming freshman who will arrive in the summer, John Emery, might be the Tigers top back next season…
cut 19 (13) “…recruited him”
And LSU announced that safety Grant Delpit will wear number seven next season.

The Ragin Cajuns are at Little Rock tonight, while ULM visits Arkansas State. The Warhawks Daishon Smith and A-S-U’s Ty Cockfield lead the Sun Belt in scoring. Both UL-Lafayette and ULM need to finish strong to avoid playing in a play in game for the Sun Belt Tournament. They are currently in a three-way tie for fifth place, the top six seeds avoid the play-in game.

The 10th ranked LSU basketball team can claim at least a share of the SEC regular season title on Saturday with a win over Vanderbilt after beating Florida 79-78 in overtime. Point guard Tremont Waters led LSU in scoring with 19 points, but Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says the big guys also played a large role
Cut 3 (11) “…in that game.”
With last night’s win, LSU finishes league play with an undefeated record in conference road games.

Louisiana Tech won its first conference road game last as the Bulldogs defeated Florida Atlantic 72-69.

The Ragin Cajuns are at Little Rock tonight, while ULM visits Arkansas State. The Warhawks Daishon Smith and A-S-U’s Ty Cockfield lead the Sun Belt in scoring as they both average around 22 points a game.

LSU spring football gets underway today and it’s the first time cornerback Derek Stingley Junior, the nation’s top recruit in the 2019 recruiting class gets to practice with his Tiger teammates. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Stingley is one of the biggest storylines heading into the 2019 season…
cut 20 (11) “…talent level”
Stingley could be the Tigers punt returner next season. LSU also needs to find a place kicker to replace the reliable Cole Tracy. Cade York, Connor Cuulp and Jack Gonsoulin are the candidates.

The Pelicans three-game winning streak ended last night with a 114-104 loss to the Jazz.

LSU baseball’s three-game losing streak is over after a nine to two win over Holy Cross. The Ragin Cajuns have won four in a row after outscoring McNeese 16-10. Brennan Breaux drove in five runs and belted a three-run homer. ULM had just one hit in a 7-1 loss to Southeastern Louisiana.

10th ranked LSU basketball is one win away from at least a share of an SEC Championship after beating Florida 79-78 in overtime to go undefeated on the road in the SEC. It’s the second time LSU has played an overtime contest and they are 5-and-2 in those games. And it was another come from behind victory for LSU as they were down by eight with just over six minutes left. Tremont Waters had 19 points to lead the way, including a lay-up at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Elsewhere, DaQuan Bracey had 21 points as Louisiana Tech defeated Florida Atlantic 72-69 as the Bulldogs won their first Conference USA road game.

Southeastern Louisiana clinched the third seed in the Southland tournament with an 81-67 win over UNO.

McNeese was eliminated from Southland Conference contention as the Cowboys lost to Corpus Christi, Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 83-60. Both teams are barely alive for a spot in the Southland tourney.

Spring football begins today for the LSU Tigers. Steve Ensminer returns as the offensive coordinator and he has another year to work with starting quarterback Joe Burrow. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says with former Saints assistant Joe Brady added to the LSU coaching staff, expect to see more run-pass option out of Burrow…
Cut 18 (18) of Burrow”
Defensive end Rashard Lawrence will sit out spring practice after having surgery on his right knee.

10th ranked LSU baseball ended a three-game losing streak with a nine to two win over Holy Cross. Daniel Cabrera and Antonie Duplantis each hit their fourth home run of the season. LSU pitching struck out 17 hitters.

Southeastern Louisiana clobbered ULM seven to one, South Alabama doubled up Nicholls six to three.