There is video of Saints Coach Sean Payton mimicking the Vikings skol clap right before the game winning touchdown pass in Sunday’s NFL playoff game. Payton was asked about it during his season-ending press conference and the coach said the gesture was towards a group of fans, it was good playoff fun.

Payton and his staff will coach the NFC team in the Pro Bowl on January 28th.

LSU offensive lineman Garrett Brumfield has announced he will return for his senior season. Starting safety John Battle also says he’s coming back. Six juniors off the 2017 team declared for the NFL draft before the January 15th deadline.

Reports out of Tuscaloosa say Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze met with Alabama’s Nick Saban about the Crimson Tide’s vacancy at offensive coordinator. Freeze resigned from Ole Miss last July after he made inappropriate calls on a university-issued phone.

Despite the winter conditions, LSU and Georgia are set to play tonight at 6 PM inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers are coming off a 74-66 loss to Alabama on Saturday. LSU shot 40-percent from the field and 28-percent from three-point territory. Coach Will Wade says making shots might be difficult tonight…
cut 17 (21) “….go in”
LSU also has to do a better job rebounding. They were outrebounded by 16 versus the Crimson Tide.

Nicholls State goes after its third straight win tonight as they host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi in Stopher Gymnasium.

The Pelicans are at the Boston Celtics.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Georgia tonight. The Tigers are looking for their first win at home in SEC play. Coach Will Wade says they need more from junior guard Brandon Sampson, who is averaging just four points a game in SEC contests and has yet to make a three-pointer…:
Cut 16 (20) “take over”
LSU lost to Alabama on Saturday 74-66. Also tonight in college hoops, Nicholls State hosts Texas A&M Corupos Christi.

The Tiger football team got some good underclassman news finally on Monday, as guard Garrett Brumfield announced that he’ll bypass the NFL draft and return for his senior season. So on the offensive line, three of five are coming back. On D, starting safety John Battle will also return.

Now that the Saints season is over, many are putting the tragic ending behind them and looking ahead to next season. Drew Brees and Kenny Vaccaro headline the Saints 2018 free agent class. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the team has a strong young core, that can’t lose its most important piece…
Cut 25 (12) “right back again”
Detillier expects it will take about 25-million dollars a year to keep Brees on the Saints.

The NFL announced Monday that the coaching staffs of the Saints along with the Steelers have been selected to lead the 2018 Pro Bowl teams. New Orleans Coach Sean Payton and crew will lead the NFC in the game on January 28 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.

Tonight, the Pelicans will look to keep the momentum going as they face the Celtics in Boston.

Can’t be an easy birthday for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who turns 39 today. He led the team back from a 17-0 halftime deficit only to see the Saints defense fail to make a play in the final seconds in a 29-24 heart breaking loss to Minnesota. Brees will be an unrestricted free agent in March, but he sounds like a guy who will be back…
cut 18 (18) “…make you stronger”
Rookie Safety Marcus Williams wiffed on the tackle that led to the game winning touchdown pass. Williams says he won’t let that one play define him….
cut 15 (11) “….to me”

Former LSU Tiger Leonard Fournette was a big reason why the Jaguars upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 in the AFC playoffs yestrday. Fournette ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns and he did it while wearning his shoulder pads from LSU.

Anthony Davis had a season-high 48 points in Madison Square Garden yesterday as New Orleans rallied from 19 points down late in the third quarter to beat the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. Jrue Holiday had 31 points. The Pelicans continue their three-game road trip tomorrow in Boston.

Tonight in college hoops….Grambling hosts Texas Southern. G-S-U has won two straight and Southern looks for its second league win as they visit Mississippi Valley State.

LSU looks for its first home SEC win tomorrow as they host Georgia at 6 PM.

Nicholls can up its record to 6-1 in the Southland tomorrow as they host Texas A-&M Corpus Christi. Colonels Guard Roddy Peters is the Southland Player of the Week today. He has helped Nicholls win three straight.

The Saints were 10 seconds away from playing in the NFC Championship game, then the unthinkable happened. Here’s Jim Henderson’s call on the Saints Radio Network…
cut 30 (16) “…kidding me”
Unfortunately for the Who Dat nation, it’s not a joke. Quarterback Drew Brees on the end of the season…
cut 17 (17) “….things happened”
Brees turns 39-years-old today. The Saints first priority in the offseason is to sign the future Hall of Famer to a new contract.

Former LSU star Leonard Fournette scored three touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards as Jacksonville upset Pittsburgh 45-42. Fournette did it while wearing the shoulder pads he wore while at LSU. It will be the Jaguars versus the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

Hahnville’s Pooka Williams has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football for 2017. The Kansas signee rushed for 3.128 yards and 37 touchdowns as he helped Hahnville reach the 5A state title game.

Anthony Davis had a season-high 48 points as the Pelicans rallied to beat the New York Knicks 123 to 118 in overtime yesterday. The Pels are at Boston tomorrow.

In college basketball, After losing to Alabama in front of a sold out Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd, the Tigers host Georgia tomorrow night at 6 PM. The Ragin Cajuns are 5-0 in the Sun Belt. UL Lafayette is at UT-Arlington and Texas State this week.

The Saints season ended in heart breaking fashion in Minnesota last night. A 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game gave the Vikings an improbable 29-24 victory over New Orleans. It appeared New Orleans had just completed a successful comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win 24-23. But that touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs ripped the hearts out of the Who Dat nation. Coach Sean Payton…:
Cut 16 (13) “bit of time”
Saints rookie Safety Marcus Williams had an interception in the game, but it was his missed tackle that allowed Diggs to go in untouched into the end zone for the winning score. Quarterback Drew Brees no one should say Williams lost them this game…:
Cut 19 (13) “little different”

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is a happy camper today as he helped lift his Jacksonville Jaguars to a 45-42 AFC divisional playoff victory over the Steelers. The New Orleans native rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, and ESPN reports that makes Fournette just the second rookie in NFL post-season history with three rushing TDs in one game.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Carlos Henderson of the Denver Broncos was arrested for possession of a controlled substance Sunday afternoon following a traffic stop on I-20 in West Monroe. The Broncos said in a statement Sunday night they are aware of the issue involving Henderson and are gathering more information.

In the NBA, the Pelicans rallied to claim a 123-118 overtime win against the Knicks last night in New York. Star forward Anthony Davis scored a season-high 48 points in the game.

The LSU men’s basketball team dropped a close SEC game against Alabama 74-66, Saturday night in the PMAC. The Tigers stay in Baton Rouge for tomorrow’s game against Georgia.

The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send Mardi Gras boxes to troops overseas to remind them of home. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The recent cold snaps in Louisiana will probably not affect the bee population, but other insects may be affected.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Retail stores will not be selling hunting and fishing licenses for two months starting January 30th. Matt Doyle explains why…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send some Fat Tuesday love to our troops serving in locations throughout the world who can’t be home this Carnival season. Mission Mardi Gras from Afghanistan coordinator Tawney Tallo, says their goal is to make sure all service members deployed from Louisiana receive a Carnival package before February 13th…:

Cut 4  (08) “traditional parade” 

If you would like to send a Mardi Gras Box to a deployed soldier, visit the Louisiana Heroes Project on Facebook for details. Tallo says some people don’t realize how much it means to soldiers when they get special care packages like this…:

Cut 5  (09)  “closer to home”

Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items such as hats, throws, costumes, beads, or Louisiana inspired foods such as beignet mix, red beans and rice, and King Cake. Tallo, who is also deployed overseas, says when these treats arrive it feels like Louisiana has come to them…:

Cut 6 (08)  “around us”

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It’s been a colder than normal winter to say the least in Louisiana and it might affect the insect population this summer.  LSU Entomology Professor Timothy Schowalter says many tropical species in Louisiana are at the edge of the areas they normally inhabit and says how they reacted to the weather will determine their fate…

Cut 7 (08)  “exposed inscets.”

Schowalter says it’s expected that there will be a reduction in mosquitoes this year since some adults were more than likely killed in the December cold snap…

Cut 8 (07) “in reproduction.”

Lovebugs will more than likely survive these recent cold snaps.  Schowalter says they were long gone since they make their bi-yearly flights in April and October…

Cut 9 (09)  “would freeze.”

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Sportsman will be unable to renew their hunting and fishing licenses at retail stores for two months starting January 30^th while the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries transitions to a new system. Spokesperson Rene LeBreton says the state has a new vendor for licensing…

Cut 10 (10) “these stores.”

They will be available again at retail stores April 2^nd.

LeBreton says the new system will be more convenient…

Moving the chains could be difficult for the Saints Sunday in their NFC playoff matchup with the Vikings. Minnesota leads the NFL in yards allowed per game and points given up. Also, the Vikings have only allowed teams to convert 25-percent of the time on third down. Quarterback Drew Brees says they’ll need to have success on first and second downs…
cut 20 (20) “…for us”
The Vikings are also allowing just 84 yards a game on the ground. New Orleans has failed to rush for more than 100 yards in four of their last five games.

The Pelicans look to move a game above five-hundred tonight as they host Portland. Anthony Davis is expected to play, despite an ankle injury.

The LSU fan base might not be excited that Steve Ensminger is the Tigers new offensive coordinator, but Coach Ed Orgeron is thrilled he’ll be calling plays in 2018. Coach O says based on what Ensminger did as an interim offensive coordinator, he should be able to excel now that he has the job on a full-time basis…
cut 17 (15) “…in the redzone”
LSU officially named Greg McMahon as its special teams coordinator. McMahon spent last season an analyst. He was the special teams coordinator for the Saints the nine previous seasons.

College hoops…Louisiana Tech lost to Middle Tennessee 72-57. Tomorrow, LSU hosts Alabama as the Tigers look for their third straight win. UL Lafayette tries to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt as they host ULM. McNeese is at Southeastern. The Lions are 4-0 in Southland play.

Head coach Ed Orgeron came out strongly in support of his new offensive coordinator, Steve Ensminger. Ensminger has been an assistant at LSU since 2010, he’s a former quarterback, and also served as interim offensive coordinator for eight games in 2016. Orgeron says there’s a lot of reasons Tigers fan should be excited about Ensminger’s promotion…
Cut 16 (14) “and cheered”
Veteran receivers coach Jerry Sullivan has been named senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator.

In college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech dropped to 1-4 in Conference USA Play as Middle Tennessee went on a 13-3 run to finish last night’s game. The Blue Raiders, who are undefeated in league play, won 72-57.

The Saints have the advantage at quarterback in Sunday’s N-F-C playoff game with the Vikings. Drew Brees is a future Hall of famer, who threw for 376 yards and two touchdowns last week, while Minnesota’s Case Keenum is making his first postseason start. Keenum is on his fourth team and was considered a journeymen until this season. Brees says he can relate…
Cut 18 (18) “his team”
Brees will need to be sharp on Sunday. Minnesota has the NFL’s top ranked defense. Kick off is at 3:40.

Perfect Game ranks LSU baseball 12th in their preseason poll. Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky are SEC teams ranked in the top 10.

The Pelicans host Portland tonight. Head Coach Alvin Gentry believes Anthony Davis will play, after missing Wednesday’s loss to Memphis with an ankle injury.

Steve Ensminger said today he embraces the opportunity to be LSU’s offensive coordinator and that he’ll make the state proud. The 59-year-old choked up a few times when talking about his new job after serving as the Tigers tight ends coach since 2010. And Ensminger also was defiant when it comes to the criticism that he’s not the right man for the job….
cut 14 (13) “…..I’ll do it”
So what will LSU’s offense look like with Ensminger calling plays. The former Tiger quarterback says he wants to run a fast paced, spread offense…
cut 13 (12) “…four wideouts”
And LSU has also named long-time NFL assistant Jerry Sullivan as senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator.

One of the individual match-ups to watch when the Saints face the Vikings on Sunday is New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas versus Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Coach Sean Payton says they have to respect respect Rhodes talent…
cut 18 (14) “….behind it”
Thomas had five catches for 45 yards in the week one matchup against Minnesota.

LSU introduces long time assistant coach and former quarterback Steve Ensminger as its new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s promotion from tight ends coach to O-C doesn’t have many fans excited…
cut 15 (13) “….solution yet”
The Tigers went 6-2 when Ensminger served as an interim offensive coordinator in 2016.

With last night’s 75-54 victory over Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena, the LSU basketball team has surpassed the number of victories it achieved all of last season. The Tigers throttled the Razorbacks 75-54 to improve to 11-4, 2-and-1 in the SEC.

The Pelicans are back at .500 mark after a disappointing 105-102 loss to Memphis. New Orleans scored just nine points in the third quarter.

The Saints have won only one road playoff game in franchise history and that came in 2014 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans goes into Sunday’s game in Minnesota with one of the least penalized offensive lines in the NFL and Coach Sean Payton says they will need to be discplined against the Vikings…
cut 17 (12) “…this year”
U-S Bank Stadium holds 66-thousand fans.

Southeastern Louisiana is off to its best start ever in Southland Conference play as the Lions improved to 4-0 with a come from behind 63-58 win over Lamar yesterday. UNO dropped to 4-1 in league play, with a 78-68 loss to Stephen F Austin and Nicholls is also 4-1 in the Southland after beating McNeese State 85-80. Tonight, Louisiana Tech begins a difficult two-game road trip at Middle Tennessee.