LSU begins its final home weekend series of the season when they host Auburn tonight. LSU’s 32-17 overall record has them in position to host at least a regional. Coach Paul Mainieri says it’s their intention to play more games at the box after this series with Auburn….
cut 17 (20) “….games here”
Two five game winners will meet on the mound tonight. Alex Lange for the Tigers and Auburn will send junior left-hander Andrew Mitchell, who has a 3.21 ERA.

The Ragin Cajuns defeated McNeese State four to one last night. Alabama crushed Grambling 12-2 and Nicholls doubled up Jackson State four to two.

In a podcast with Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry, he tells NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski that he still hasn’t received official word from Tom Benson and Mickey Loomis that he’ll be back next season. Gentry just finished his second year as the Pels head coach and has yet to lead the franchise to the playoffs.

Grambling State men’s basketball has been hit with an NCAA postseason ban because of low Academic Progress Rate scores.

The New Orleans Bowl will have a noon kickoff after three straight years of 8 PM kickoffs. It will be the first of 40 bowl games to be played. The final bowl game will be the AllState Sugar Bowl, which will kick-off at 7:45 on January 1st. The Sugar Bowl will be a national semi-final game this year. The Independence Bowl will be played on Wednesday, December 27th at 12:30.

Today at the high school baseball playoffs…it’s the One-A and three-A semifinals. In One-A…you have Oberlin taking on LaSalle and Grand Lake versus Delhi Charter. In three-A…South Beuregard takes on Berwick, while Iowa faces top seeded Brusly.

The LSU baseball team dropped another midweek game last night as they blew a five to one lead and lost to South Alabama seven to six. The Tigers begin an SEC series with Auburn tomorrow night.

In action tonight…the Cajuns, who beat Louisiana Tech 3-1 last night, will host McNeese State. Grambling is at Alabama and Nicholls hosts Jackson State.

D-1 baseball-dot-com has relased its NCAA Regional projections and LSU is hosting a regional, but the Tigers would not be a national seed. D-1 baseball projects McNeese State in the Baton Rouge Regional, while Southeastern Louisiana would play in the Starkville Regional and Louisiana Tech would be in the Fort Worth Regional. The Cajuns are not in the field of 64.

Low APR scores for the Grambling State men’s basketball program, means they’ll be banned from postseason play.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade appeared on the Tiger Rag Radio Show. With Antonio Blakeney deciding to enter the NBA draft, Duop Reath is the Tigers leading returning scorer. Wade says Reath has emerged as one of the leaders of the team along with former Tioga High Star Aaron Epps…
cut 19 (23) “…consistent”
LSU is currently going through individual workouts.

The Independence Bowl has annnounced that it’s bowl game will be played on Wednesday, December 27th at 12:30 PM at Indepenence Stadium in Shreveport. The New Orleans Bowl will have an afternoon kick-off as well as that game will be played in the Superdome on December 16th at noon.

The LSU baseball team had a five to one leas last night, but Nick Bush allowed three runs in the ninth and the Tigers lost seven to six to South Alabama. Tigers shortstop Kramer Robertson had three hits at the plate, while Cole Freeman and Greg Deichmann each drove in two runs. LSU scored all of its runs in the first two innings.

Four UL Lafayette pitchers shut down Louisiana’s Tech’s bats in a three to one victory yesterday. Wyatt Marks had an impressive outing as he entered the game with the bases loaded in the sixth and nobody out. Marks struck out Marshall Boggs and Jonathan Washam and got an inning-ending ground ball off the bat of Sean Ullrich.

Also last night, Little Rock thumped Northwestern State 13 to one.

At Sulphur’s McMurry Park there will be eight semifinal games in the state baseball tournament. The top seeds playing today are Grace Christian, Elizabeth, Central Catholic and Glenmora.

LSU Guard Branden Jenkins has decided to transfer. He’s the second player to leave the program since new head coach Will Wade took over last March. But Wade has recently signed a graduate transfer and a junior college transfer. He says they have some good pieces, they just need to mold it together….
cut 18 (17) “….ether way”
Wade says Duop Reath and Aaron Epps have emerged as leaders during individual work outs.

Tough loss last night for the LSU baseball team that squandered a 5-1 lead to South Alabama as the Jaguars scored three runs in top of the ninth inning to complete the comeback and defeat LSU 7-6 at The Box. The loss drops LSU to 32-17 overall. The Tigers will enjoy a day off before hosting Auburn in a pivotal Southeastern Conference series set to begin Thursday.

UL-Lafayette picked up a 3-1 victory over visiting Louisiana Tech in midweek action last night. The Ragin Cajuns return to action tonight against another in-state rival — McNeese State. The Diamond Dogs host Marshall for a three-game set that kicks off Friday.

Northwestern State had a rough time on the road against Little Rock who dominated the Demons 13-1.

Also in action tonight, Lamar is at Southern, Grambling is at Alabama and Nicholls State hosts Jackson State.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade has completed the hiring of his assistant coaches by adding Bill Armstrong to his staff. Armstrong spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Ole Miss. Wade says Armstrong’s knowledge of the Southeastern Conference makes him a great addition…:
Cut 17 (19) “everything is”
LSU is now down to seven scholarship players from last season’s squad as Branden Jenkins decided to transfer Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Colts will unveil a statue of New Orleans native Peyton Manning in October outside of Lucas Oil Stadium. The former Newman Star’s No. 18 jersey will be officially retired during halftime of the Colts game against the 49ers on Sunday, October 8.

The NFL announced the preseason schedule for all 32 teams in the league Tuesday. The Saints will open the exhibition season week 1 on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, August 10.

There’s conflicting reports on when Saints center Max Unger will return to the field. Unger recently had surgery on an injured foot. Yesterday it was reported that he won’t be back until after the regular season starts but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports he’s spoken with a source that says Unger could be healthy enough to play in the preseason.

The Saints have announced days and times for the preseason schedule. New Orleans will kick-off exhibition play on Thursday August 10th at Cleveland. They’ll visit the Los Angeles Chargers for a 7 PM kickoff on August 20th. The two home preseason games will be August 26th against Houston and August 31st versus Baltimore. Both games will be 7:00 kick-offs.

In college football news…incoming LSU freshman defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin has lost about 60 pounds, thanks to no longer putting rice in his gumbo.

The 10th ranked LSU baseball team continues its eight-game homestand tonight as they host South Alabama. The Jaguars lead the overall series between the two teams, 24-15 and South Al already has a couple of wins against SEC teams this season, Mississippi State and Auburn.

Louisiana Tech beat the Cajuns in 13 innings earlier this season in Ruston. Tonight the two teams meet in Lafayette. Also tonight, Northwestern State visits Little Rock. The Demons are looking for their third straight win.
LSU head men’s basketball coach Will Wade has added former Ole Miss assistant Bill Armstrong to his coaching staff. Armstrong has spent the past 11 years in Oxford. Wade says Armstrong’s knowledge of the SEC makes him a great addition to the staff.

Also back-up guard Branden Jenkins is reportedly transferring.

Former LSU Shaquille O’ Neal has told an Altanta TV station that he plans to run for sheriff in 2020. O’Neal has homes in Florida and Georgia, so if he does run, it will likely be in of those two states.

There were multiple reports that came out yesterday that said Saints center Max Unger would not be available for the start of the regular season because of a foot injury. Unger recently had surgery on the foot, which bothered him last season. But Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said today that Unger will return during the preseason.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says incoming freshmen defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin has dropped 50 pounds. The former Northside star weighed 383 pounds when he signed in February. Orgeron says he told Shelvin’s grandmother that he needs to eat gumbo with no rice. Coach O believes 325 is the perfect weight for Shelvin and believes he could be another Glenn Dorsey on that Tigers D-Line.

The Collegiate Commissioners Association has voted for an early signing period for football. Prospects in the 2018 class will be able to sign with a college between December 20 and 22nd of this year.

LSU continues its eight-game homestand tonight as they host South Alabama. The Jaguars are 30-18 and they have wins over Mississippi State and Auburn. First pitch is at 6:30.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Louisiana Tech. UL Lafayette has lost five of its last six. The Bulldogs are trying to win their third straight in the series. They beat the Cajuns in extra innings earlier this season. Northwestern State is at Little Rock. The Demons have won six straight midweek games.

In college basketball news…Guard Brandon Jennings is reportedly transferring from LSU. Meanwhile, former Ole Miss assistant Bill Armstong is joining Will Wade’s staff.

Northwestern State has signed six-foot-five forward Brandon Hutton. The Chicago native originally signed with Iowa and played last season at Indian Hills Community College, helping that team win 29 games last year.

Former LSU and NBA star Shaqullie O’Neal has told an Atlanta TV channel he plans to run for sheriff in 2020 in either Florida or Georgia.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Saints center Max Unger, a key part of the team’s offense, suffered a foot injury and is expected to miss the start of the 2017 season. His availability is in question but too early to tell if he won’t play in the first regular-season games. The Saints have waived defensive end/linebacker Royce LaFrance, and released tight end Jake Stoneburner.

After going 2-1 against South Carolina, LSU has moved up in three of the four major baseball polls. Perfect Game and D-1 Baseball ranks the Tigers No. 11 up from 12. Collegiate Baseball to number 10 up from 11. Baseball American keeps LSU at NO. 15.

The SEC has named Tiger centerfielder Zach Watson the Freshman of the Week.

Tonight the Tigers play South Alabama at The Box.

In college baseball today, UL-Lafayette will host in-state rival Louisiana Tech. It’s the first of 5 games in 6 days for the Cajuns who also face Louisiana-foe McNeese State tomorrow. Raphael Gladu of the Diamond Dogs has been named the Conference USA Player of the Week.

Also on the diamond today, Northwestern State is at Little Rock.

Tulane announced Monday they will host LSU coaches for a satellite camp in June instead of with Michigan. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s happy about going to New Orleans where he expects there will be a lot of Louisiana prospects he hopes will stay in the state.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced Monday that long-time men’s tennis coach Jeff Brown has resigned in what he called a mutual decision.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade adds former Ole Miss assistant BIll Armstrong to his staff.

A TV station in Georgia is reporting that former LSU and NBA star Shaqulie O’Neal is planning to run for sheriff in 2020. It says Shaq could run in Henry County there, or in Florida. O’Neal said it’s nothing about politics, but about bringing back love and respect for police. The report said the campaign slogan in mind is, “Shaq for Sheriff! Back to the old school.”.

Louisiana is one of just two states to see a decline in median wages between 2013 and 2016, according to Governing magazine’s analysis of federal data. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says that’s not surprising because the Bayou State has been in a recession since August of 2015..:
Cut 7 (11) “high wage jobs”
The report finds Louisiana’s median hourly wage fell by 0.5 percent to $15.43 last year.

The House has sent a bill to the Senate that would ban the use of tobacco products on school property. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman got 60 “Yes” votes for his proposal…:
Cut 15 (06) “to be done”
He hopes this will help teachers quit smoking.

A measure that would increase the age requirement from 18 to 21 for exotic dance clubs to hire strippers is scheduled to be heard by a Senate Committee today. The bill has been touted as a way to stop human trafficking. Jim Kelly runs the Covenant House in New Orleans and he’s helped over 90 human trafficking victims recently…:
Cut 10 (10) “of 21″
A similar law was passed last year but was blocked by a judge for being too vague. Kelly says this year’s measure is far less broad.

An effort to immediately block the removal of one of the Confederate era monuments in New Orleans has been blocked by a judge. A suit was filed claiming the Beauregard statue was on private property and didn’t belong to the city. A hearing is slated for tomorrow morning.

Antoine Duplantis’ walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning gave LSU a 7-6 win over South Carolina last night. Duplantis had five hits on the afternoon. Greg Deichmann had three base knocks and drove in two runs, including the game tying run in the 9th inning…
cut 18 (17) “…the weekend’
LSU is 15-9, one game back of Mississippi State and Florida for first place in the SEC standings.

Ruston native Zach Watson has been named SEC Freshman of the Week. The Tigers centerfielder was 5-for-19 with 4 RBI to help lead LSU to an SEC series victory over South Carolina.

Tomorrow night the Tigers host South Alabama.

The Ragin Cajuns had a tough weekend. They dropped their Sun Belt Series against Georgia Southern and in the process they lost starting senior outfielder Ishmael Edwards with a fractured left thumb. Edwards has the second highest batting average on the team and also leads the club with five triples.

Louisiana Tech’s Raphael Gladu has been named Conference USA Player of the Week. He hit a team-high .615 during the series victory over florida International. Tech visits the Ragin Cajuns tomorrow.

The longtime men’s tennis coach at LSU, Jeff Brown, has resigned. He’s been the head coach of the Tigers for 20 years and their two best years were in 1998 and 1999 when LSU reached the national semifinals.

Tiger Rag Magazine is reporting Ole Miss assistant Bill Armstrong will be the final member to new men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s coaching staff. Armstrong is a UAB alum and has spent 11 seasons in Oxford.

LSU baseball is one game back of the overall SEC lead and in sole position of second place in the West Division after a thrilling seven to six win over South Carolina on Sunday. The Tigers won two of three from the Gamecocks, after losing a one run contest on Friday. Coach Paul Mainieri wasn’t surprised the series tightly played….
cut 17 (18) “….Super Regional”
Antoine Duplantis had five hits yesterday and drove in the game winning run. Greg Deichmann had three hits and tied the game in the ninth with an RBI single.

McNeese State lost its second straight yesterday, falling to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi five to four. But the Cowboys still have a 2.5 game lead for first place over Sam Houston. Southern Louisiana took two of three from the Bearcats and are three games back of the cowboys.

Grambling State is the champions of the SWAC Western Divsion after sweeping Prairie View this past weekend. The Tigers won 14-1 yesterday and they’ll conclude the regular season on Wednesday at Alabama.

Tough series for the Ragin Cajuns as they lost two of three from Georgia Southern. The Eagles soared past UL Lafayette nine to one. Cajuns senior outfielder Ishmael Edwards is expected to miss some time after fracturing his left thumb while stealing second base on Saturday.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport repots Saints starting center Max Unger will reportedly miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season because of a foot injury. How the injury occurred is unknown.

In college football news…Head Coach Ed Orgeron expects 2017 will be the last season for running back Derrius Guice at LSU. Orgeron also anticipates that Tiger pass rusher Arden Key is expected to return to LSU for summer school in June. Key took a leave of absence from the football program in February because of personal reasons.