LSU scored five runs against the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year in the 2nd inning and never looked back as the Fighting Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament by run ruling Kentucky 10-0 in seven innings. Kramer Robertson had a three-run home run and had 4 RBI on the night. Kentucky’s Sean Hjelle gave up all 10 runs. Alex Lange pitched seven shutout innings and struck out seven. The Tigers are off today and they’ll play Saturday at noon versus the winner of today’s game between South Carolina and Kentucky.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech is two and bar-b-que from the Conference USA Tournament. Southern Miss beat the Bulldogs five to two. Tech will now wait and see if they get an invite to the NCAA Tournament. They have an RPI of 43.
And UL-Lafayette finally begins play in the Sun Belt Tournament in Statesboro, Georgia. The rain is all gone and the Cajuns will face Georgia Southern tonight.
The top two seeds in the Southland Tournament suffered losses yesterday in Sugar Land, Texas. McNeese gave up five runs in the 5th inning and lost 5-3 to Central Arkansas. The Cowboys will face Houston Baptist at noon today.
At 9 AM, it’s Southeastern Louisiana versus UNO. The Lions lost to Sam Houston State eight to four. S-L-U scored four runs in the first inning and that was it. The Privateers kept their season alive with a 4-3 10-inning victory.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is glad the NFL relaxed its touchdown celebration rules. The league announced that after a touchdown is scored, players can use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group or even do snow angels. Payton says it’s good for the fans, the players and the referees
Cut 16 (20)  “be good”

The LSU Baseball Tigers are off to a good start in the SEC Tournament as they defeated Missouri 10-3. Caleb Gilbert was the winning pitcher as he allowed one run in five innings. Cole Freeman was four for four at the plate and hit a three-run home run. Kramer Robertson had two hits and scored three times. The Tigers shortstop on succeeding in the post season…
cut 30 (10) “…every year”
LSU will face Kentucky tonight at around 8 PM. Alex Lange will start on the hill for the Tigers. A win for LSU and they’ll move into the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament.

Louisiana Tech needs to beat Southern Miss this afternoon to avoid elimination in the Conference USA Tournament. The Golden Eagles swept the Bulldogs during the opening weekend of conference play. Tech lost to Charlotte seven to two last night.

At the Southland Tournament, Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State have advanced to the winner’s bracket. The Lions will face Sam Houston State this afternoon at about 4 PM and then at seven o’ clock McNeese will battle Central Arkansas. The Cowboys defeated Lamar 7 to 5 yesterday. Dustin Duhon and Austin Nelson homered and Collin Kober earned his ninth save by striking out the only two hitters he faced.

Former Louisiana Tech head baseball coach Greg Goff is out after one season as the head man at Alabama. The Crimson Tide went 19-34-and-1 this past season and won only five conference games. The Tuscaloosa News also reported that Goff violated NCAA rules by telling up to 10 players their scholarship would not be renewed.

LSU basketball team attempted to sign former Wright State guard Mark Alstork, but he has decided to sign with Illinois. But Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worshman says head coach Will Wade is looking to sign four-star Connecticut point guard Tremon Waters.

LSU advances in the SEC baseball tournament following an easy 10-3 win over Missouri in the opening game. This was coach Paul Mainieri’s 500th win at the helm. The Tigers, who are the tournament’s No. 2 seed, will play third-seeded Kentucky at about 8 tonight. All-SEC 1st teamer Alex Lange will start on the mound for the Tigers.

Because of continuous downpours in Georgia, the Sun Belt has decided to make its tournament a single elimination contest. UL-Lafayette will play tomorrow night against Georgia Southern. A win and the Cajuns will advance to the semi-finals. This is an important tournament for UL-Lafayette, who are on the bubble from receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

McNeese State was awarded the 2017 Southland regular season championship trophy prior to last night’s game against Lamar in the conference tournament. The Cowboys then went on to beat the Cardinal’s 7-5 in the SLC first round. McNeese will play the winner of the Houston Baptist-Central Arkansas game at 7 tonight in a winner’s bracket contest.

Also in the Southland, Southeastern rallied past UNO yesterday afternoon on the opening day, coming back to beat the Privateers 12-7. The second-seeded Lions advance to face Sam Houston State on this afternoon at 4.

Louisiana Tech fell to Charlotte 7-2 last night in the C-USA Tournament opener in Biloxi. The Diamond Dogs will now play nationally-ranked Southern Miss this afternoon in an elimination game set for 12:30 at MGM Park.

The Tulane game against Central Florida in the AAC tournament was rained out yesterday. The contest is slated to be played this morning at 10am.

The NBA All-Star game will be played in Charlotte in 2019, two years after the city was to host the event. The league announced Wednesday the contest will be played at Spectrum Center, home of the Hornets. The All-Star game had been set for Charlotte last February, but the NBA moved the game to New Orleans because of the state law restricting the rights of LGBT people.

Former LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith has signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Clinton native was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Bucs.

The LSU Tigers are battling the Missouri Tigers in the SEC Tournament. Mizzou eliminated the Aggies with a 12 victory. If LSU wins, they’ll play Thursday night in a winner’s bracket game, a loss and the Tigers will be facing elimination against the Gamecocks on Thursday.

Because of a bunch of rain in Georgia, the Sun Belt has decided to make its tournament a single elimination contest. The Cajuns will play on Friday night against Georgia Southern. A win and UL Lafayette will advance to the semi-finals. This is an important tournament for the Cajuns, who are on the bubble from receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Southland Tournament got underway today in Sugar Land, Texas. Southeastern Louisiana rallied back from a 4-0 deficit to beat UNO 12-7. Webb Bobo, Derrick Mount and Drew Avans homered for the Lions. At this hour, top seeded McNeese is facing Lamar.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma and offensive guard Carl Nicks will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame later this year. Both players were on the 2009 Super Bowl 2009 team.

The NFL has loosened the restrictions on touchdown celebrations. This year players can use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group and or even do snow angels on the ground. But players will still be penalized if the celebation mimics the use of a weapon or embarrrass opponents.

Also, starting in 2017, the overtime period for preseason and regular season games has been cut from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. Commissioner Roger Goodell believes this will NOT lead to more ties.

The Sun Belt will have two five-team divisions for football starting with the 2018 season. UL-Lafayette and ULM will play in the West Division, along with Arkansas State, South Alabama and Texas State. The winners of each division will play in a title game.

The LSU Tigers go after their sixth SEC Tournament Championship in the Paul Mainieri history as they begin play this afternoon in the tourney by taking on Missouri. Todd Peterson was scheduled to start on the mound, but he’s been suspended for one game for a violation of a team rule. Caleb Gilbert will get the start instead. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran doesn’t think the change in starting pitchers will have a negative impact on the Tigers….
cut 18 (19) “….little bit”
Missouri will start on the mound freshman left-hander TJ Sikkema, who is 8-and-1 with a 2.28 ERA. The game is expected is expected to start at 4:30.

UL-Lafayette’s game in the rain-drenched Sun Belt Tournament is at 2:30 against Georgia Southern. The tournament did not get started as scheduled, because of inclement weather, so the league will be using two fields in order to catch back up.

The Southland tournament starts today in Sugar Land, Texas. Second-seeded Southeastern Louisiana will take on seventh seeded UNO and then it’s top-seeded McNeese State versus eighth seeded Lamar. Cowboys Coach Justin Hill says the key to winning this tournament is staying out of the losers bracker….
cut 20 (18) “….here and there”
In Southland action this morning, Sam Houston State thumped Stephen F Austin 13-1.

In NFL news…the league has announced that Pro Bowl will return Orlando in 2018.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham has signed the biggest shoe deal in NFL history. The Giants wide receiver re-upped with Nike for five-years 25 million dollars.

LSU will play either Missouri or Texas A-and-M in the SEC Tournament tomorrow in Hoover, Alabama. The Aggies and Mizzou are playing each other today and the winner advances to play the Tigers, who have won 11 of their last 12 conference games. LSU Shortstop Kramer Robertson says the hot bats they are swinging have been a big factor in their success…
cut 17 (15) “…since then”
Todd Peterson will start on the hill for the Tigers. He’ll make his fourth start of the season.

Southeastern Louisiana’s Taylor Schwaner has been named Southland Player of the Year. The junior from Slidell completed the regular season with a 321 average wiht 13 home runs and 68 RBIs. McNeese State’s Shane Selman has been named Southland Hitter of the Year and his coach Justin Hill is coach of the year.

Louisiana Tech begins play tomorrow in the Conference USA Tournament. The Diamond Dogs are coming off a disappointing series loss to Middle Tennessee, but head coach Lane Burroughs says a new season begins tomorrow….
cut 20 (24) “…new season now”
Tech’s RPI is 38, so they are in a good position to receive an at-large bid if they don’t win the tournament and get an automatic bid.

UL Lafayette is really on the bubble. They have an RPI of 52. The Cajuns are scheduled to begin play tomorrow in the Sun Belt Tournament but heavy rain in Statesboro, Georgia is causing a scheduling nightmare for conference officials.

The LSU baseball team is in Hoover, Alabama preparing for the SEC Tournament. The Tigers will play tomorrow against the winner of today’s game between Missouri and Texas A&M. The Tigers are co-champs of the SEC regular season, but shortstop Kramer Robertson says there’s a lot to play for….
cut 16 (19) “….do it again”
Mainieri says Todd Peterson will be the starting pitcher in tomorrow’s game against the winner of today’s contest between Missouri and Texas A-and-M.

The younger brother of Leonard Fournette, Lanard Fournette, has been busted for allegedly using a fake ID so he can play craps at a Baton Rouge casino. The 20-year-old Fournette is also a running back for the LSU Tigers.

Poor field conditions and the threat of further inclement weather has forced the cancellation of Tuesday’s first round Sun Belt Conference games in Statesboro, Georgia. The league says an updated schedule will be announced when available. The Sun Belt is currently looking at alternative sites and make-up schedules. The fourth seeded Cajuns were scheduled to play fifth seeded Georgia Southern tomorrow night.

Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA tournament tomorrow night. The Bulldogs are on the bubble as far as making the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs says they can remove all doubt if they win the tournament….
cut 19 (16) “….through Sunday”
The Diamond Dogs have a 36-18 record and they are coming off a disappointing series loss to Middle Tennessee.

Juniors Alex Lange and Greg Deichmann have been named to the All SEC first-team. Lange led the SEC with 111 strikeouts and compiled a seven and five record. Deichmann has led the Tigers offense with 17 home runs and 63 RBIS. The Tigers will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday at about one o’ clock against the winner of the today’s game between Texas A-and-M and Missouri. Paul Mainieri has announced freshman pitcher Todd Peterson will start tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech is the 5th seed in the Conference USA Tournament and they’ll face Charlotte tomorrow night at MGM Park in Biloxi. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says winning this tournament will not be easy…
Cut 18 (15) “the bus”
The Diamond Dogs are 36-18.

The Saints begin voluntary organized team activites today. The Advocate newspaper reports tight end Josh Hill will not fully participate, because he’s still coming back from a broken fibula. New Orleans has also signed offensive tackle Bryce Harris, who started a handful of games for the Black and Gold in 2013 and 2014.

The younger brother of Leonard Fournette, Lanard Fournette, who is a running back on the LSU football team was arrested for allegedly using a fake ID to gamble at L’Auberge Casino in Baton rouge.

The LSU softball team has advanced to play Florida State in the Super Regionals after beating UL Lafayette five to one in the Baton Rouge regional championship game. Emily Griggs was 3-for-4 and Sydney Springfield hit a two-run homer. It’s the first time since 2006 LSU eliminated the Cajuns from postseason play.

UL Lafayette’s Gunner Leger has been named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. The lefty is 10-2 with a 2.03 ERA.

Two LSU Tigers have been named to the All-SEC First team, right fielder Greg Deichmann and starting pitcher Alex Lange. Deichmann is hitting .320 wtih 17 home runs, ten doubles and 63 RBIs. Lange is 7-and-5, with three complete games and an ERA of 2.29. Shortstop Kramer Robertson was named to the SEC Second-team, while catcher Michael Papierski and third baseman Josh Smith were named to the All-Defensive team.

The LSU Tigers left today for Hoover, Alabama where they’ll play on Wednesday in the SEC Tournament. The Bayou Bengals will face the winner of Tuesday’s game between Missouri and Texas A&M. Coach Paul Mainieri said today that Todd Peterson will start on the mound for the Tigers on Wednesday.

Gunner Leger has been named the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year. The junior has 10 victories on the season to go along with a 2.03 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 84.1 innings pitched.

The LSU softball team is heading to the Tallahassee Super Regional after beating UL Lafayette five to one. It was the Tigers second victory over the Cajuns in as many days after UL Lafayette defeated LSU on Saturday. Today, the Cajuns took a 1-0 in the 1st inning, but LSU took over from there, with two runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth inning. Emily Griggs drove in two runs, while Sydney Springfield hit a two-run home run down the left field line. Carley Hoover pitched five shutout innings of relief to record the win. Alex Stewart suffered the loss for the Cajuns.

Former Saints star Reggie Bush says he wants to play in 2017, but so far no teams have signed veteran running back. Bush played in 13 games with Buffalo last season and rushed for negative three yards on 12 carries.

In the NBA, former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap will reportedly opt out of his 21-million dollar contract with the Atlanta Hawks next season.

The LSU Baseball Tigers are co-champions of the Southeastern Conference after sweeping Mississippi State. The Tigers finished league play with a 21-9 and they’ve possibly nailed down a national seed. The Bayou Bengals will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday when they face the winner of Tuesday’s game between Missouri and Texas A&M.

Six other teams are competing in conference tournaments this week. The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are couple of teams who need good performances this week in order to make sure they reach the NCAA Tournament. UL Lafayette will play Georgia Southern on Wednesday night in Statesboro, Georgia in the Sun Bel Tournament. The Bulldogs will play in Conference USA Tournament and they’ll face Charlotte on Wednesday night.

Three Louisiana teams are in the Southland Tournament, led by top-seeded McNeese State. The Cowboys will face Lamar on Wednesday in Sugar Land, Texas and Southeastern Louisiana is the second-seed and they’ll take on seventh seeded UNO at noon.

LSU and UL Lafayette softball will attempt to play a winner takes all regional championship game today, but the weather forecast does not look good. Because of extensive delays both Saturday and Sunday, the Tigers and Cajuns met late last night, with first pitching coming at 10:37. LSU won the game six to one. If the game can’t be played today, LSU will advance to the Super Regional in Tallhassee, because they are the higher seed.

The Louisiana Tech softball team’s season is over after a five to two loss to Minnesota on Sunday afternoon in the Tuscaloosa Regional. Head Coach Mark Montgomery was proud of his team’s fight after losing to Minnesota 11-3 in the first game of the regional….
cut 30 (15) “…for a win”
Louisiana Tech’s season ends with a 38-24 record.