LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authorities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation…
cut 9 (11) “….totally”
The Tigers will face U-C-F on New Year’s Day.

LSU hosts ULM tonight in the final non-conference basketball game of the year for both teams. The Tigers are 9-3, while the Warhawks are 7-4 and led by Wichita State transfer Daishon Smith who is averaging 18 points a game and shooting 46-percent from three-point territory. Tip time is at 7.

Also tonight, the Pelicans will look to end a five game losing streak when they host Dallas. Nikola Mirotic and Elfrid Payton remain out with injuries.

Saints veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to see snaps on Sunday against Carolina as Quarterback Drew Brees is not expected to play the whole game. Bridgewater was a former starter in Minnesota and has been ready for his chance in New Orleans…
cut 18 (19) “…stay ready”
Saints tight end Ben Watson says after this season he’s retiring. Ending a 15-year career. The 38-year-old has caught 33 passes and two touchdowns this season. Ex-LSU Tiger Kyle Williams has also announced his retirement. The Ruston native has spent 13 seasons as a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. Williams was on LSU’s 2003 national championship team and is a fan favorite in Buffalo.

LSU leaves this afternoon for Arizona to continue preparations for its Fiesta Bowl matchup with undefeated U-C-F on New Year’s Day. Before taking a few days off for Christmas, LSU practiced for a couple of weeks in Baton Rouge and Quarterback Joe Burrow says those workouts went well
Cut 16 (18) walk that line”
It’s unknown if defensive back Kary Vincent will make the trip with the team today. He’s grieving the loss of his father, Kary Vincent Senior, who died at the age of 49. The former teacher and coach in Port Arthur, Texas, has battled pneumonia, which briefly forced him into a coma.

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport takes place today. Temple is a 3.5 point favorite.

Saints Coach Sean Payton would not say it, but Quarterback Drew Brees told reporters that he expects back-up Q-B Teddy Bridgewater to get some snaps on Sunday in the regular season finale against Carolina. But Brees is not sure how much playing time Bridgewater will get.

Lafayette Christian Quarterback Zachary Clement has been named the Class One-A offensive player of the year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Clement just led the Knights to back-to-back state titles in Division Four. Kentwood’s Trey Palmer was named the defensive player of the year. Palmer is signed to play wide receiver at LSU.

The Pelicans lost their fifth straight last night, falling to Dallas 122 to 119, despite 32 points and 18 rebounds for Anthony Davis. New Orleans is now 15-and-20, four games back for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Pels begin a three-game homestand on Friday against the Mavericks.

Former Texas A-and-M Aggie Kyle Allen will likely get the start at quarterback on Sunday for the Panthers when they visit the Saints in the Superdome. Cam Newton has already been shut down because of a shoulder injury and his back-up, Taylor Heinicke, has been placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. Allen completed all four of his passes on Sunday.

Tomorrow, it’s the Independence Bowl in Shreveport as Temple will face Duke at 12:30 PM. There’s rain in the forecast for tomorrow morning, but it’s expected to clear out before kick-off. Today’s Servepro First Responder Bowl in Dallas between Boston College and Boise State was cancelled due to lighting after nearly nine minutes were played in the game.

The Pelicans are in Dallas tonight, looking to snap a four-game losing streak that has seen them drop to 14th place in the 15-team Western Conference. The Mavs have lost in six in a row, but they are 13-3 at home. Tip-off is at 7:30.

The Saints opponents for 2019 have been determined. Besides home and away games against NFC South opponents, the Black and Gold will also host Arizona, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas and Indianapolis next season, while they’ll visit Tennessee, Seattle, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville.

LSU leaves tomorrow for Arizona where they’ll continue preparations for the Fiesta Bowl. No word one way or the other if running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will still make the trip and play in the game after police say he and a walk-on teammate used self-defense in a fatal shooting on Saturday.

The investigation continues into a Christmas Eve quadruple shooting that left two people dead, including a former Lutcher high football player. St. James Parish Sheriff Wily Martin Junior says Thaddeus Watis of Convent, was killed. He was a freshman at Arkansas Baptist College. Twenty-three-year-old Dedrick Paul Green Junior also died at a local hospital. The search continues for suspects.

With the first seed, and a bye week in hand, history is on the Saints side to get back to the Superbowl as home teams have won 65-percent of their games in the playoffs since 1990. Defensive end Cam Jordan…
cut 13 (06) “….is real ”
But before the playoffs begin, the Saints will host Carolina in the regular season finale. It’s a game were the starters could see limited action. And the Panthers could reportedly start their third string quarterback. Cam Newton has already been shut down for the season, with a shoulder injury, while backup Taylor Heinicke is heading to I-R with an elbow injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Carolina will likely start former Texas A-and-M Aggie Kyle Allen.

The Pelicans are in Dallas tonight, looking to snap a four-game losing streak that has seen them drop to 14th place in the 15-team Western Conference. Tip-off is at 7:30.

The Saints opponents for 2019 have been determined. Besides home and away games against NFC South opponents, the Black and Gold will also host Arizona, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas and Indianapolis next season, while they’ll visit Tennessee, Seattle, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville.

On Christmas Day, LSU received a verbal pledge from the nation’s number one rated cornerback. California native Elias Ricks announced he plans to play for the Tigers. Ricks also received scholarship offers from Alabama, USC, Ohio State and Georgia.

Sad news out of St. James Parish. Former Lutcher High standout Thaddeus Watis was fatally shot in a quadruple shooting that happened on Christmas Eve on Main Street in Lutcher. Watis was one of two people killed, two others were injured. St. James Parish deputies have not determined a motive in the shooting. A reward of up to five-thousand dollars is available for information leading to the arrest.

The Saints can secure the number one seed in the NFC playoffs, if they can beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are fighting to win the A-F-C North. New Orleans is playing its first home game since beating Atlanta on Thanksgiving night. In their last three games, all of them on the road, the Black and Gold have scored a total of 50 points. Quarterback Drew Brees says they have to cut down on the mistakes that are stalling drives…
cut 18 (19) “….in a win”
On the other hand, the Saints defense is playing as well as anyone in the NFL. In their last six games, the opponents have failed to score more than 17 points. Meanwhile, the Steelers are coming off a big win over the New England Patriots Kick-off is at 3:25.

The Pelicans are in Los Angeles tonight to face the Lakers. And this game has raised the speculation that one day New Orleans All-Star Anthony Davis could be traded to the Lakers and play with LeBron James. James said earlier this week that it would be amazing to play with Davis. Today, Pels Head Coach Alvin Gentry said the franchise is not trading A-D under any circumstance. Davis is under contract with the Pelicans next season and then the year after, it’s a player option worth almost 29-million dollars a year.

Should be a good crowd on hand tonight for the LSU Tigers home game against 24th ranked Furman. The Tigers are looking for their first win over a ranked opponent. They’ve already lost Florida State and Houston this season. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

Also tonight, ULM hosts Copping State.

And tomorrow, Louisiana Tech goes after its fifth straight bowl victory when they take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl. The Warriors are led by quarterback Cole McDonald who has thrown for 37-hundred yards and 35 touchdowns, while the Bulldogs pass defense is allowing just 194 yards a game.

Some would say Sunday’s game between the Saints and Steelers is a match-up between future hall of fame quarterbacks, Drew Brees versus Ben Roethlisberger. Brees has won one Super Bowl championship, while Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings. But Saints defensive end Cam Jordan believes Roethlisberger is not even one of top five quarterbacks of his era
Cut 19 (18) “…okay”
The Saints are beat up along their offensive line. Tackle Jermon Bushrod has not practiced this week, while fellow o-linemen Terron Armstead, Max Unger, Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk were all limited at practice yesterday.

The Steelers leading rusher, James Conner, hasn’t practiced this week because of an ankle injury. Conner has missed the last two games.

LSU basketball welcomes 24th ranked Furman to the PMAC tonight. The Paladins are 12-0 and their head coach is Bob Richey, who is a Lake Charles native. One of Furman’s top players is six-foot-eight forward Matt Rafferty, who is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds a game. He’s also shooting 66-percent from the field.

Also tonight, ULM concludes a four-game homestand by taking on Coppin State. The Warhawks are 6-4.

Tonight at 9:30, the Pelicans will visit the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that will be televised by both ESPN and Fox Sports New Orleans. In the backdrop of this game, is speculation Anthony Davis will one day team up with LeBron James in L-A. Davis says his focus is on his team, but he’s listed as questionable tonight with an illness. Julius Randle and Ian Clark are also questionable with ankle sprains.

If you have Odell Beckham Junior on your fantasy team…bad news. The Giants have announced the talented wide receiver will not play Sunday.

The Saints can lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Black and Gold and the Steelers only play each other once every four years. Quarterback Drew Brees says the Steel Curtain defense is playing like you expect them to play…
cut 17 (17) “prepared for”
The Steelers are 8-5-1 and in first place in the A-F-C North, but have yet to clinch a playoff spot. Kick-off is at 3:25.

The 15-and-17 Pelicans are in Los Angeles tonight to visit Lebron James and the Lakers. There’s speculation Anthony Davis could team up with King James in L-A, but the Pels reportedly have no interest in trading Davis.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts 24th ranked Furman tonight at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Paladins are 12-0 and their head coach is 35-year-old Bob Richey, who is a Lake Charles native. Furman is led by five-foot-11 junior Jordan Lyons, who is averaging 18 points a game.

Also tonight, ULM hosts Coppin State and Tulane takes on Towson.

Last night in women’s basketball, LSU defeated the Lady Cajuns 76-54 in the Cajundome. Five Lady Tigers were in double figures as LSU scored 23 points off of turnovers. And Grambling upset previously undefeated Indiana 65-62.

The LSU football program has received a verbal commitment from four-star defensive tackle CamRon Jackson from Haynesville. He’s the 13th ranked Louisiana prospect in the Class of 2020 by 24-7 sports.

Tomorrow night, Louisiana Tech will face the 8-and-5 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. The Bulldogs will try to slow down sophomore quarterback Cole McDonald, who is the nation’s seventh ranked passer.

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of college football’s early signing period. Three of the signees are 5-star prospects from Louisiana, Derek Stingley, John Emery and Kardell Thomas. Coach Ed Orgeron likes the diversity of this class…
cut 17 (21) “for us”
LSU can still sign six more players and those signees should take place in February. Amite defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher is a must get.

Starting nose tackle Ed Alexander will not play in the Fiesta Bowl as he’s made the decision to turn pro. The Tigers will be missing several key defensive players for their Fiesta Bowl matchup against U-C-F.

The Saints can clinch the number one playoff seed in the NFC with a win Sunday over Pittsburgh. Let’s see if playing at home can get the Black and Gold’s offense going. They are 5-1 in the Superdome this season and averaging 38 points a game in those contests.

Back to college football recruiting….Louisiana Tech signed 11 players yesterday, nine of them are three-star recruits and most of them are on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs also signed wide receiver Kyle Maxwell, who is just led Amite to a Class Two-A stat championship.

ULM signed 17 players, five of them are from the junior college ranks. According to 24-7 sports-dot-com, seven of the signees are three-star prospects. West Monroe offensive tackle Victor Cutler decided to stay home and signed with the Warhawks.

The Ragin Cajuns signed two quarterbacks, Chandler Fields from Rummel High School and Clifton McDowell from Spring Texas. UL-Lafayette also signed a couple of south Louisiana wide receivers Brandon Legendre from Thibodaux and Lake Charles Brian Smith.

LSU received 19 National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, the first day of college football’s early signing period. Three five-star prospects signed with the Tigers, cornerback Derek Stingley, running back John Emery and guard Kardell Thomas. Coach Ed Orgeron says Thomas is the type of student-athlete they like to bring to LSU….
cut 19 (17) “…great parents”
Orgeron says starting defensive tackle Ed Alexander will not play in the Fiesta Bowl against UCF on January 1st. That’s because Alexander has decided to turn pro and forgo his senior season. Orgeron says with Alexander gone and defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko out with an injury, Tyler Shelvin will have to step up.

Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Junior who has been on injured reserve since October 19th because of knee surgery, was back at practice yesterday. Ginn is eligible to come off I-R and the former Ohio State standout says he’s up to speed, but it’s up to the organization on whether he’ll play Sunday against the Steelers.

The Pelicans got 27 points from Anthony Davis, 25 points from Jrue Holiday, but New Orleans lost to Milwaukee 123-115. The Bucks shot 51-percent from the field and 80-percent from the free throw line. Gannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points for Milwaukee. New Orleans visits Lebron James and the Lakers on Friday. King James said last night it would be amazing if L-A traded for A-D, but Davis told ESPN that right now his focus is with the Pels.

In college basketball last night, Ivy Smith hit two free throws with four seconds left as Grambling defeated Southeastern Louisiana 69-68. California Baptist beat Southern 79-76.

One of the nation’s top high school football players signed with LSU today on the opening day of the early college football signing period. Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior of Baton Rouge says he chose LSU, because it will benefit him after his playing days are over…
cut 5 (12) “….after football”
A couple of other local five-star prospects also signed with LSU. Destrehan running back John Emery and offensive guard Kardell Thomas. Five-star linebacker Marcel Brooks from Texas is also officially an LSU Tiger.

The early signing period lasts through Friday. Some recruits will wait until February to sign. One of the nation’s best defensive tackles, Ishmael Sopsher from Amite, has made that decision. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran…
Cut 18 (08) the mix“

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today they know the corrections that need to be made in order to get the offense scoring at a high rate again. Through the first 11 games of the season, New Orleans averaged 37 points a game, but in the last three, they’ve scored a total of 50 points. Payton says cutting down on the penalties would be a start, they had nine of them on Monday against Carolina. New Orleans hosts Pittsburgh this Sunday. A win and they lock up homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

The Pelicans begin a four-game road trip tonight in Milwaukee. Power forwards Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle will not play, because they both have sprained ankles. New Orleans is already short-handed, as point guard Elfrid Payton is still out with a broken finger. Tip-off tonight is at 7 PM.

Back to national signing day, Louisiana Tech received a signed national letter of intent from wide receiver Kyle Maxwell, who helped Amite win a Class Two-A state championship. West Monroe defensive tackle Dalvin Hutchinson signed with the Ragin Cajuns, and former Amite quarterback Elijah Walker signed with ULM.