Joining Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron at this year’s SEC media days will be junior tailback Derrius Guice, receiver DJ Clark and senior defensive tackle Christian LaCouture. The conferences 14 teams are each represented by three players and the coach over the four day media blitz next week in Birmingham. The trip is considered a major reward. SEC Commissioner greg Sankey kicks off media days Monday morning. LSU is sharing the floor with Tennessee at 2:30 that afternoon.

Many running back AJ Carter has decomitted from LSU after saying last Monday that he’d decided to go with the Tigers over UCLA. But Wednesday Carter announced on Twitter that he made the decision to come to Baton Rouge for the wrong reasons. Carter is as a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, and is the top-ranked running back in Louisiana. After decommitting from LSU, Carter then tweeted his re-commitment to UCLA.

It looks like it Darius Miller is headed back to the New Orleans Pelicans after the former second-round pick agreed to terms Wednesday afternoon, according to sources. Miller had been playing in Germany and is expected to be back with the Pels when training camp opens in September. The Pelicans summer team opens in Las Vegas against the Toronto Raptors at 3 p.m. Friday.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Damien Wilson was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Frisco, Texas according to reports. Police had not released details on the circumstances leading up to the arrest.

Cowboys quarterback and Sulphur native Dak Prescott is reportedly accused of using a machine to sign his autograph for a memorabilia company instead of by hand, according to a report from ESPN.

Lots of folks have been critical of the New Orleans minor league baseball team’s new name, Baby Cakes after being re-branded from the Zephyrs last fall. But the logo was voted by fans across the country as the best in minor league baseball by America’s Logomania competition.

The SEC announced today the three players that will join Head Coach Ed Orgeron at SEC Media Days next week. Senior defensive end Christian LaCouture, senior wide receiver D.J. Chark and junior running back Derrius Guice will be in Hoover, Alabama on Monday.

First-year LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade has made his mark on the recruiting trail already. Since he was hired in March, Wade signed a 2017 recruiting class ranked in the Top 20 and he’s received a commitment from five-star Scotlandville point guard Ja’Vonte Smart. Scotlandville Head Coach Carlos Sample says Smart should flourish at LSU…
cut 20 (16) “…another level”
Smart is listed as the sixth best point guard in the nation in the Class of 2018.

LSU pitcher Eric Walker will meet with a physician with the Texas Rangers tomorrow. Walker’s season ended during the College World Series, because of discomfort in his throwing arm. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says if the injury to Walker keeps him out of the 2018 season or forces him to miss an extended period of time, it opens another spot in the weekend rotation…
cut 18 (15) “….the draft”

In NBA news…free-agent guard Nick Young has signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors. The Pelicans fron office was interested in signing the 32-year-old after he averaged 13 points a game for the Lakers a season ago.

Former Saints Kicker Morten Andersen will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. It was announced today that his son will present his Dad in the Hall.

The LSU men’s basketball program recently picked a verbal commitment from one of the top point guards in the country. Ja’Vonte Smart from Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge has chosen to stay home and play for the Tigers. Scotlandville Head Coach Carlos Sample says Smart will give you everything he has..:
Cut 19 (20) “will compete”
Since being hired in March, first-year head coach Will Wade signed a 2017 recruiting class that’s ranked in the Top 20 and he’s brought some excitement to the program.

Former LSU star Alex Bregman of the Astros went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, three runs scored an an RBI in last night’s 16-3 victory over the Braves.

LSU left fielder Antoine Duplantis has been chosen as the next Tiger to wear the number eight jersey. In a tradition started Mikie Mahtook, the player who wears number eight on the LSU baseball team is the upperclassmen who exemplifies leadership and dedication to the program. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Duplantis is an obvious choice…:
Cut 17 (13) “he’s fast”
LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a statement that this is an honor Duplantis has worked very hard to earn.

Meanwhile Maineri says pitcher Eric Walker will meet with a physician with the Texas Rangers tomorrow. He said Walker had an MRI done on his injured arm and the Rangers doctor will be able to provide an assessment.

WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting that sources close to the matter said police declined to pursue sexual assault charges against an LSU football player because the woman who made the claim was not credible.

LSU outfielder Antoine Duplantis will wear jersey number eight next season. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassman who exemplifies the spirit of LSU Baseball through his leadership and dedication to the program. This tradition was started by outfielder Mikie Mathook, who has since handed it down to Mason Katz, Alex Bregman, Jake Fraley and then Cole Freeman last season. Duplantis is a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and during his two seasons at LSU he’s hit .321 with four homers and 100 RBIs.

Coach Paul Mianieri says pitcher Eric Walker will meet with a physician with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Mainieri says Walker had an MRI done on his injured arm and the Rangers doctor will be able to provide an assessment. Two weeks ago, Walker left a game in the third inning, because of discomfort in his throwing arm.

Meanwhile, Zach Hess will get some starts in the Cape Cod League.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola won his third straight game on Monday as he struck out eight over seven innings as the Phillies blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 4 to 0. Nola is now 6-5 on the season. In his last three starts, he’s 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA.

It appears there will be a slight change in LSU’s uniforms this season. Based on social media posts of players wearing their jersey for the 2017 season, the stripe on the shoulder will be shorter. It’s a similar design to what the team had from 2002 to end of the 2012 season.

TMZ Sports published a report that said LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips was under investigation for allegedly raping a female student. But WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge has spoken with local authorities and it turns out the woman who made the claim was found to be not credible. No charges have been filed in the case, which was investigated in early June.

TMZ Sports reported this morning that LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips was being investigated for allegedly raping a female student. But WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting that the woman who made the claim was found to be not credible. No charges have been filed in the case, which was investigated in early June.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu has been selected as a reserve for the National League in the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star game, which will be played a week from tomorrow in Miami. It’s the second time LeMahieu has been named to the team. He’s hitting .303 this season, with three home runs, 38 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .361.

And former Tiger Andrew Stevenson will play in the Triple-A All-Star game as he’ll represent the International League in Tacoma, Washington. The 23-year-old was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on May 1st and in June he hit .327. Syracuse is an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

The NBA Free Agency began over the weekend and the Pelicans quickly re-signed starting point guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year contract worth 126-million dollars. Jake Madison with Bourbon Street Shots, says the Holiday signing assures the Pelicans will be in contention for a playoff spot…
cut 18 (11) “….Western Conference”
But the Western Conference has gotten tougher. Houston, Oklahoma City and Minnesota are three teams that have made major acquisitions and the Denver Nuggets have reportedly signed former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap.

LSU senior forward Duop Reath will play for the Australia Emerging Boomers which will participate next month in the World University Games in Taipei. Reath averaged 12 points and six rebounds in his first season with the Tigers last year.

The Pelicans started the free agency period by signing their starting point guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 126-million dollar contract. Holiday’s return gives the Pelicans three star players along with big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Bourbon Street Shots writer Jake Madison says the Pelicans do not have a lot of salary cap flexibility to add more firepower, but they have enough money to sign a three-point shooter…
cut 17 (08) “…Nick Young”
But there are reports Golden State is seriously considering Young. Regardeless, Madison says the Holiday signing assures that the Pelicans will be in contention for a playoff spot in the very difficult Western Conference.

The migration of All-Star players in the Eastern Conference heading to the West continues as the Denver Nuggets have reportedly signed Paul Millsap to a three-year, 90-million dollar free agent deal. Millsap leaves Atlanta and has played in the All-Star game the last four seasons. He’s 32-years-old.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu has been named as a reserve for the National League in the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star game, which will take place July 11th in Miami. LeMahieu is hitting .303 this season, with 3 hoem runs, 38 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .361.

And former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman pitched seven innings of two-hit ball as the Orioles defeated the Rays seven to one. Gausman allowed just one runner get past first base as he lowered his ERA to 5.61.

LSU’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake won the 200-meter dash at the British Athletics Championships and he’ll compete in the IAAF World Championships later this summer, which will take place in London. Mitchell-Blake won with a time of 20.18 seconds, which broke a 30-year-old record at the British Athletics Championships. He was a semifinalist in the 200-meters at the Rio Olympics last summer.

The Pelicans have re-signed free-agent guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 126-million dollar contract. Pelicans insider and Bourbon Streets Shots writer Jake Madison says it was a signing that had to happen for the Pels to compete in the difficult Western Conference…:
Cut 16 (19) “the West”
Holiday’s return gives the Pelicans three star players along with big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

Former Louisiana Tech star forward Paul Millsap has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $90 million dollar contract with the Denver Nuggets. The four-time All-Star has career averages of 14.2 points and 7.5 assists.

LSU’s switch-hitting superstar catcher, Michael Papierski, will reportedly sign with the Houston Astros today. The move will reunite Papierski with fellow LSU alumni, Alex Bregman.

Also in ‘Stros news, Houston rookie pitcher David Paulino has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Former LSU star Kevin Gausman allowed just two singles in seven innings to Tampa Bay in the Orioles 7-1 win Sunday. He had a rough start to the MLB season, but in his last two starts, Gausman has pitched 12.1 scoreless innings and gave up just six hits.

LSU and Louisiana Tech led the way on the All-Louisiana baseball team with three players selected on the first team and four players named to the first and second teams. The Tigers’ first-team selections were Alex Lange, Greg Deichmann and shortstop Kramer Robertson. Tech’s first-team selections were pitcher Nate Harris, catcher Brent Diaz and outfielder Raphael Gladu.

The Pelicans have reportedly signed their starting point guard Jrue Holiday to a five-year, 120 million dollar deal. The contract also includes incentive clauses that could pay Holiday up to 150-million dollars and the agreement also contains a player option for a fifth year. Signing the 27-year-old is the Pelicans top priority this offseason after he averaged 15 points and seven assists last year.

But the Western Conference continues to get tougher. As Oklahoma City traded for Paul George to give MVP Russell Westbrook a star player to work with.

First year LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has received a major commitment from the state’s top basketball player. Javonte Smart of Scotlandville High in Baton Rouge has given a verbal pledge to the Tigers. He’s six-foot-four and has already been named Mr. Basketball for the state two times. Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA were also very interested in Smart.

LSU finished the 2017 season as the consensus number two team in the country in college baseball. So how do the Tigers look heading into the 2018 season? They lose their top two starters in Alex Lange and Jared Poche, but they return a good nucleus of position players, Antoine Duplantis, Zach Watson, Josh Smith and Jake Slaugther. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says a good group of freshmen is also coming in…
cut 18 (14) “…point too”
Doolittle is a catcher from Jupiter, Florida, while Storz is from Brooklyn. He’s 6-foot-6 and can play in the outfield as well. The Detroit Tigers selected him in the 31st round, but he’s expected to play at LSU next year.

LSU signee and West Monroe star Jacob Pearson has officially signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He was chosen 85th overall by the Angels in last month’s MLB draft.

The NBA Free Agency period begins tonight at 12:01 and New Orleans is expected to lock-up point guard Jrue Holiday to a five year max contract, before he’s able to talk with other teams. Holiday averaged 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 67 games last season. Head Coach Alvin Gentry has said that re-signing Holiday was the franchise’s top priority this offseason.

Former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap is a free-agent as well and a number of teams are interested in the 32-year-old. Millsap will reportedly meet with the Phoenix Suns, who according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, can give Millsap a max contract for possibly the next three years.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade landed a major verbal commitment today as five-star point guard Javonte Smart of Scotlandville High gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers. He’s ranked by ESPN as the fifth best point guard in the Class of 2018.

Baseball America does not project the LSU Tigers will return to Omaha next year and compete in the College World Series. The Tigers are losing a lot from the 2017 national runner-up squad. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says LSU should still have a very good team with Antoine Duplantis, Zach Watson, Josh Smith and Jake Slauther returning for next season…
cut 17 (12) “…of a dip”
Moran says the LSU coaching staff is also bringing in another good group of freshmend led by Parkview Baptist’s Daniel Cabrera, catcher Mason Doolittle from Jupiter, Florida and pitcher Nick Storz from Brooklyn.

Shreveport golfer David Toms missued the cut at his first U-S Senior Open championship in Peabody, Massachusetts. Toms shot a 75 yesterday and 71 today for a score of six over par.

LSU baseball had its most successful season since winning the national championship in 2009 and Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the pieces are in place to make it to Omaha again next year. Moran says the biggest question is with the starting rotation as the Tigers top two starters, Alex Lange and Jared Poche, are moving on to pro ball:
Cut 16 (17 ) “to monitor”
Moran says the 2018 Tigers will feature several players returning from the 2017 national runner-up club, and a good group of Freshman is also moving in.

Tiger shortstop Kramer Robertson has signed his first professional contract and it’s with the Cardinals. St. Louis selected Robertson in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. The value of the deal is reportedly worth $424,800.

It’s reported that The Pelicans will meet with Jrue Holiday at 12:01 am, as the guard officially becomes a free agent tomorrow. Holiday has spent the past four seasons with New Orleans, and the team has expressed how important it will be to bring him back on a long-term deal.

Registration begins today for Saints Quarterback Drew Brees’ co-ed youth flag football league. He says Football ‘N America, or FNA, will be the premium youth co-ed flag football league for ages K-8th grade. You can sign your kids up for leagues starting in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Covington…:
CUT 26 (11) “playFNA.com”
The future Hall of Fame quarterback says he’ll also help the coaches in the FNA league by providing personal video tutorials and starter playbooks. He touts the this as a safer alternative for kids than tackle football before they get to high school.