College football continues to buzz over the sudden resignation by Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was forced out after university officials found a “pattern of personal misconduct.” The school reportedly looked at Freeze’s phone records and found several concerning calls to numbers connected with escort services. Co-offensive coordinator Matt Luke has been named the interim coach. He’s a former offensive lineman at the school. There’s speculation Ole Miss will talk with former LSU Coach Les Miles, but at this time that remains speculation.

Cajuns defensive lineman Joe Dillon has been named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference first team. The sophomore from Mississippi led the team in tackles for losses and sacks last season. UL Lafayette kicker Stevie Artigue also made the first team. The junior was 19-of-24 on field goals last year. Sun Belt Media Day is Monday.

Big news out of the NBA as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports Kyrie Irving has asked the Cavaliers to trade him after meeting with team officials last week. According to Windhorst’s sources Irving wants to be the focal point and no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James.

Also in the Association…San Antonio has reportedly re-signed veteran skilled big man Pau Gasol to a three-year deal.

Former Louisiana Tech baseball coach Greg Goff has found a new job as he’s been named an assistant at Purdue. Goff was unemployed when Alabama fired him after just one season as their head coach. Goff lead the Diamond Dogs to 42 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.

The wildlife and fisheries department announces the red snapper recreational season will continue off the coast of Louisiana this weekend. The state agency says anglers have caught about 655-thousand pounds and the plan is to end the season when over one million pounds is caught.

The big headline in sports news today is that Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze has suddenly resigned. It’s reported that the school found at least one call from Freeze to an escort service on his University-issued phone. Ole Miss Athletic Director Ross Bjork said in a news conference following the announcement Thursday evening that something was brought to their attention that prompted the school to investigate Freeze’s phone records:
CUT 25 (22) “admitted the conduct”
The NCAA is investigating Ole Miss into at least 21 rules violations, but Bjork says that Freeze’s resignation had nothing to do with that.

The UL-Lafayette football team was picked to finish 5th overall in the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll. ULM was chosen to finish ninth. Defending SBC co-champion Appalachian State is the favorite to win the conference championship for the second consecutive year. The Sun Belt’s annual media day begins Sunday.

Redshirt-sophomore outside linebacker Isaiah Washington is leaving the LSU football program and intends to transfer, he announced via Twitter on Thursday. Washington, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL suffered in fall camp, ran into academic trouble during the spring. He appeared in six games during the 2015 season.

Former LSU offensive lineman Trai Turner has agreed to a four-year extension with the Carolina Panthers. Turner played for the Tigers from 2011-2014.

LSU is making a major upgrade to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center with the installation of the largest center hung video board in college basketball.

Outside linebacker Isaiah Washington announced on Twitter today that he intends to transfer from the LSU footbal program. Washington didn’t play last season after he tore his ACL in preseason camp. He also missed much of spring practice because of academic issues. The former Karr standout played in six games during his freshman campaign in 2015.

The Carolina Panthers and former LSU Tiger Trai Turner have agreed to a four-year contract extension. The deal is worth a reported 45-million dollars and there’s also a 15-million dollar signing bonus. Turner will be the third highest paid offensive guard this season.

The Pelicans have announced the signing of Rajon Rondo. The veteran point guard will reportedly receive three-point-three million dollars for the 2017-18 season.

And LSU says its new video board they are installing in the PMAC will be the largest in a college arena that hangs over the center of the floor.

Sam Houston State has been picked to repeat as Southland Conference champs as the Bearkats received all possible first-place votes. Central Arkansas is picked to finish in second. McNeese is predicted to finish third after a 6-5 2016. Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls were picked to finish fourth and fifth. Northwestern State 10th in the 11-team league.

Appalachian State is the favorite to win the Sun Belt Football championship according to the league’s 12 head coaches and selected members of the media. The Ragin Cajuns received one first place vote and is picked to finish fifth, while ULM is projected to finish 9th in the 12-team league.

Cajuns men’s basketball will tip-off the 2017-18 season on the road against Ole Miss on November 10th. The night before the two schools are scheduled to play each other in football.

Louisiana Tech has named Cory Barton as its new pitching coach. Barton spent the past three seasons at McNeese as the Cowboys pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

LSU defensive end Isaiah Washington is no longer on the Tigers football team as he’s announced that he’s transferring. The former Karr standout missed much of spring practice because of academic reasons and missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in preseason camp. Washington appeared in just six games during his LSU career, all of them coming during his 2015 freshman season.

While making the rounds at ESPN, LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said quarterback Danny Etling is 90-percent healthy as he continues to recover from back surgery. Coach O also said on the Paul Finebaum show that he expects pass rusher Arden Key to be ready towards the beginning of the season as he rehabilitates from shoulder surgery. He says Key has resumed running.

And the Saints have placed former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural and fellow rookie defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on the non-football injury list.

Sam Houston State is the unanimous favorite to repeat as Southland champs. The Bearkats return 2016 Walter Payton Award winner Jeremiah Briscoe at quarterback. Central Arkansas is picked to finish second. McNeese, who is coming off a disappointing six-and-five campaign is picked to finish third. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish fourth, Nicholls who is a surging program under coach Tim Rebow is picked to finish fifth and Northwestern State, who won just one game last year, is picked to finish 10th in the 11-team league.

LSU says a new videoboard inside the Maravich Center on the LSU campus will be the largest center hung videoboard in college basketball. Installation is expected to be completed later this month. The two sideline high-definition screens will each measure 42 feet by 21 feet. The boards facing the baseline measure 24 feet by 20.5 feet.

While making the rounds at ESPN, LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said quarterback Danny Etling is 90-percent healthy as he continues to recover from back surgery. Orgeron also repeated that Etling goes into preseason practice as the starter, but the other QBs on the roster will compete for his job. Coach O also said on the Paul Finebaum show that he expects pass rusher Arden Key to be ready towards the beginning of the season as he rehabilitates from shoulder surgery.

Saints rookies have reported for training camp and the team has placed former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural and defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on the non-football injury list. The team has not said why.

Conference USA Media Days are underway in Dallas and Southland Football Media Day is today in Houston. Sam Houston and Central Arkansas are considered the favorites to win the league this year.

LSU baseball has welcomed 18 newcomers to the roster and 11 of them are pitchers. The Tigers have to replace their entire weekend rotation, so several of these hurlers will have a chance at becoming the Sunday starter. Veterans Zack Hess and Caleb Gilbert are expected to be the Friday and Saturday starters. Coach Paul Mainieri says Josh Smith will start at shortstop next season and Jake Slaughter will play at either third or second. LSU opens the 2018 campaign by hosting Notre Dame next season.

In major league baseball…former LSU standout Kevin Gausman threw six innings of four-hit ball as the Orioles trounced Texas 10-2. Another former Tiger, Mikie Mahtook, blasted a two-run homer in the 9th for Detroit, but the Royals came back to beat the Tigers four to three.

And the Baton Rouge Advocate reports veteran point guard Rajon Rondo’s one-year deal with the Pelicans is worth three-point-three million dollars.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron is making rounds in Bristol, Connecticut today, appearing on various ESPN TV and radio shows. Here’s what he had to say about the offense during an appearance on Sportscenter…
cut 30 (13) “…end of the season”
Orgeron has learned that safety John Battle will receive another year of eligibilty and has been re-classified as a redshirt junior. The Florida native received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA to make up for his medical hardship freshman season of 2014.

Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky have been picked to win division titles in Conference USA. Tech has won two of the past three West Division titles, while the Hilltoppers are trying to become the first program in Conference USA history to win three straight outright league titles. Texas-San Antonio was selected to finish second in the West.

The LSU basketball team learned its bracket assignment and first-round opponent for the 2017 Maui Invitational in Hawaii. First year coach Will Wade and the Tigers will begin play in the 8 team event against Michigan on November 20th. Depending on what happens the first two days, LSU could face Wade’s old team, VCU.

New Orleans Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry told a New Orleans radio station that he plans on starting both guards Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday together going into the 2017-18 season. Rondo would be the point guard and Holiday would be the shooting guard. Holiday has been New Orleans starting point guard, but Gentry says they also like his ability to score and play off the ball.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron is going to go through ESPN’s Car Wash today in Bristol. Coach O will participate in nearly 25 interviews during his trip, including this morning on SportsCenter at 8:30, then again at 10:15..then will join Paul Finebaum, Coast to Coast and Stephen A Smith Radio.

At a state High School coaches clinic Tuesday, Orgeron thanked participants for keeping other programs from holding satellite camps in Louisiana. He told the coaches at the LHSCA gathering he knew they’d been approached by powerhouse teams like Texas and Michigan, but appreciates that they didn’t let them into The Bayou State.

It was at the clinic that reporters broke the news to Coach O that LSU safety John Battle’s career has been extended. The Florida native received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA to make up for his medical hardship freshman season of 2014. Instead of being a senior, he’s been re-classified as a redshirt junior.

The award watch list nods continue to roll in for LSU. Senior quarterback Danny Etling has been named to the 2017 Danny Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, which is awarded to the player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

The LSU basketball team learned its bracket assignment and first-round opponent for the 2017 Maui Invitational in Hawaii. First year coach Will Wade and the Tigers will begin play in the 8 team event against Michigan on November 20th. Depending on what happens the first two days, LSU could face Wade’s old team, VCU.

The C-USA media has picked Louisiana Tech to repeat as the Conference USA West Division champion while WKU was voted as the favorite to win the East Division. The Bulldogs have won two of the last three West Division titles and return a number of key performers in 2017.

New Orleans Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry told a New Orleans radio station that he plans on starting both guards Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday together going into the 2017-18 season.

Good news for the Tigers and safety John Battle. He’s been given an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, so he goes into this season as a junior, instead of as a senior. The Florida native appeared in one game in 2014 and he’ll receive a medical hardship for that season.

Louisiana Tech has been picked to win the West in Conference USA in a preseason vote by media members who cover the league. La Tech has won 2 of the last 3 West Division titles. Western Kentucky is picked to repeat as champs in the East.

LSU running back Derius Guice has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List. The award goes to the most Versatile player in college football. Danny Etling is on the Wueffrel Award Watch List and linebacker Arden Key is on the Butkus Award Watch list. Key is also on two other Watch lists.

LSU basketball learned today they’ll play Michigan in the opening round of Maui Classic in Hawaii on November 20th. Tip-off is at 10:30 central time. Coach Will Wade’s old team, VCU, is on the other side of the bracket.

Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry said on a New Orleans Radio station he plans to put recently acquired Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday in the backcourt.

Nike is now making NBA jerseys and teams will no longer have traditional home and away jerseys.

LSU head gymnastics coach DD Breaux has been named the Most Outstanding Coach in Louisiana by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Also the Dean of Southeastern Conference Coaches, Breaux just completed her 40th season in 2017, which was the Tigers most dominant in school history. Breaux says being recognized by people outside of gymnastics means a lot:
CUT 6 (07) “total body of work”
Breaux was named to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June.

Media outlets are reporting that point guard Rajon Rondo and the Pelicans have come to an agreement on a one-year deal. Rondo met with Alvin Gentry and Dell Demps on Thursday, and again Saturday in Atlanta before committing, according to reports. Rondo played in 69 games with the Chicago Bulls last season and averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. He played with DeMarcus Cousins on the Sacramento Kings during the 2015-16 season.

LSU junior defensive back Donte Jackson has been named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, which honors 45 of the nation’s best defensive backs. Jackson played in all 12 games and started in 11 of those at cornerback. He totaled 39 tackles for the Tigers, including a career-high seven against Alabama. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2010 and 2011.

Seven members of the LSU football team combined to earn eight spots on the 2017 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams. Derrius Guice leads the way at running back and all-purpose. Linebacker Arden Key was also named to the All-SEC first team on the defensive side. Offensive lineman K.J. Malone, defensive lineman Christian LaCouture and defensive back Donte Jackson were selected as second team members. Center Will Clapp and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence rounded out the group of the Tigers on the third team.

After going unchosen in last month’s NBA draft, a former Tiger has now found a home with the Bulls. Antonio Blakeney, who led LSU basketball in scoring last season, signed a two-way contract with Chicago. Blakeney has averaged 16.8 points and 5 rebounds per game so far with the Bulls’ Summer League team.

The Tulane football contingent of head coach Willie Fritz and seniors Ade Aruna, Sherman Badie, Dontrell Hilliard and Parry Nickerson are set to participate in the 2017 American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days beginning today.

The 2017 LSU football team is picked by the media to finish behind Alabama and Auburn in the SEC West. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says these projections aren’t surprising, especially when it comes to Alabama who continues to be the well-deserved favorite in the West. He says reporters are also big on Auburn right now…:
Cut 13 (08) “to the next level”
He says the media also likes Georgia. But Worsham adds SEC projections get it wrong more often than not, and it’s hard to predict anything about this LSU football team…:
Cut 15 (16) “very rare”
Reporters also named seven Tigers to All-SEC teams, including first-teamers Derrius Guice and Arden Key.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2017 predictions and it looks like a battle between Southern and Grambling for the Western Division championship. Grambling was picked to repeat as SWAC champions.

LSU junior center Will Clapp has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, while junior linebacker Arden Key and junior cornerback Kevin Toliver II have been named to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List.

Following explosive performances in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, former LSU Tiger Antonio Blakeney signed a two-way contract with the Bulls on Friday. Blakeney averaged 16.8 points per game in four summer league appearances for the Bulls.

The Denver Nuggets have officially signed free agent forward and former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap to a multi-year contract. The program said the deal has been inked after Millsap had already verbally agreed to a three year, $90 million dollar contract. The Monroe native spent the last four seasons in Atlanta where he averaged 17.4 points in 297 games.