The college baseball season has yet to start and the nationally ranked LSU Tigers are already dealing with two major injuries to position players. It was announced last week designated hitter Bryce Jordan is done for the season with a torn ACL and then on Friday night, starting right fielder Greg Deichmann was hit by a pitch during practice and suffered a fracture to his right cheekbone. Mainieri says a decision on whether Deichmann will be able to play opening day will be determined on Thursday.

The Pelicans lost for a sixth time in eight games as Sacramento beat New Orleans 105-99. The loss drops the Pels record to 21-34 and it looks like for the second straight season they will fail to make the playoffs. There’s a report in Bleacher Report from a source close to Anthony Davis’ agent that A-D one day could end up in L-A with Russell Westbrook and play for the Lakers. New Orleans is at Phoenix tonight.

The Ragin Cajuns and ULM men’s basketball teams are both at home tonight. UL Lafayette has lost four in a row and they’ll host South Alabama. Both teams have a losing record in league play. ULM will look to end a three-game losing streak as they host Troy.

In the SWAC, Southern is at Mississippi Valley. The Jaguars are in third place in the league and Grambling hosts Prairie View. Both teams each have five wins in league play.

And the LSU women’s basketball team is at Vanderbilt.

The LSU men’s basketball team lost its 11th straight on Saturday night, despite a 14-point lead in the first half. Arkansas rallied back from a 78-70 win. Tomorrow, the Bayou Bengals are at Ole Miss.

Louisiana Tech enters the week two games back of first place Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs host Florida Atlantic and Florida International this week.

And UNO is in first place in the Southland after beating Southeastern on Saturday. The Privateers host Central Arkansas on Saturday.

The LSU baseball Tigers get more rough news announcing outfielder Greg Deichmann had surgery Sunday morning, and whether or not he can play the season opener Friday is not certain at this time. Last week LSU learned it would be without designated hitter Bryce Jordan for the entire season due to a knee injury. Deichmann was hit in the face by a pitch which broke his cheekbone. The Tigers hit the diamond February 17th against Air Force in Alex Box Stadium.

The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a tough loss on the road last night to Sacramento, 105-99. All-Star Anthony Davis had another stand-out performance though putting up 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Pels. Jrue Holiday added 16 points and 11 assists. The Pels are now 7-19 on the road, and they’ve lost eight of the last 10. They’ll face the Suns tonight in Phoenix.

In college hoops, LSU lost for the 11th time in a row on Saturday night in the PMAC. This time it was to Arkansas by a score of 78-70, even though the Tigers did put on a nice show in the first half when they had a 14 point lead that was eventually squandered. They’ll take on Ole Miss tomorrow night.

Today UL-Lafayette returns to action as they face Sun Belt Conference rival South Alabama in the Cajundome. The Ragin Cajuns dropped a 100-88 decision to Troy Saturday. ULM plays the Trojans tonight in Monroe. The Warhakws are coming off a three point loss to South Alabama on Saturday.

Grambling faces Prairie View A&M tonight after losing to Texas Southern on Saturday; 77-70.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports New Orleans area high school coaches will not follow through with a threat of a boycott of LSU. It was reported last week that several NOLA coaches were upset with the dismissal of former Edna Karr Head Coach Jabbar Juluke. But Coach Orgeron reportedly had a productive meeting with a couple of the coaches and the Tigers head man pledged to provide more communication to the prep coaches.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports New Orleans area high school coaches will not follow through with a threat of a boycott of LSU. It was reported earlier this week that several NOLA coaches were upset with the dismissal of former Edna Karr Head Coach Jabbar Juluke from the LSU staff. But Orgeron reportedly had a productive meeting with a couple of the coaches and the Tigers head man pledged to provide more communication to the prep coaches.

The Saints have made the decision to hold training camp at the team’s facilities in Metairie. The last three years the boys in Black and Gold prepared for the season in West Virginia. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the team’s indoor facility in Metairie is one reason why they decided to stay home this year…
cut 18 (18) “…in Metairie”
Training camp will kick-off in late July.

LSU basketball will look to avoid its 11th straight defeat on Saturday when they host Arkansas at the Maravich Center. Coach Johnny Jones’ team is 9-14 overall, 1-and-10 in the SEC. During an appearance on the Jim Engster Show, LSU President F King Alexander was asked about whether a coaching change is needed..:
Cut 15 (10) “the year”
During the 10-game losing streak, all but two of LSU’s defeats have been by double digits.

Big basketball game in Hammond Saturday as UNO visits Southeastern Louisiana. The Privateers have won two in a row and they’ve moved into first place in the Southland standings. The Lions are 6-and-6 in league play and they’ve lost four of their last five.

At 7:15 inside the Cajundome, UL Lafayette will host Troy. The Cajuns will look to snap a three-game losing streak.

While in Conference USA, Louisiana Tech takes a three-game winning streak to Texas-San Antonio. The Bulldogs are two games back of Middle Tennesse for first place in the league standings.

The Saints will be in Metairie for training camp this season. The last three years, New Orleans held training camp in West Virginia. Coach Sean Payton was very complimentary of the setup at the Greenbrier Resort. But the team let the contract expire after three years and three straight non-playoff seasons. Saints anlayst Mike Detillier says practicing at the resort was not the reason for the losing seasons…
cut 17 (17) “…talent”
The Saints have also announced that Curtis Johnson is back as the teams’ receivers coach. Ryan Nielsen is the new defensive line coach. He’s been a college coach for 14 years, most recently with North Carolina State.

Louisiana Tech announces running back Jaqwis Dancy is cancer free. He was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma in October and is now cancer-free after several rounds of chemo and a couple rounds of radiation.

Louisiana Tech failed to score in the final 3:45 of last night’s ball game but they still defeated UTEP 62-61. Erik McCree had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the way.

UNO moved into first place in the Southland standings with a 69-63 win over McNeese State last night. Michael Zeno had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Privateers who are 9-3 in league play. The Cowboys had a four-point lead at halftime, but their conference record falls to 4-8.

Also in the Southland, Houston Baptist routed Northwestern State 86-69. The Demons are in last place with a 3-8 league record.

The 20-and-33 Pelicans begin a four-game road trip in Minnesota tonight. New Orleans will also play Sacramento, Phoenix and Memphis to close out the road swing. Three of the teams have losing records and the Pels need some wins because they are fading out of playoff contention. Alvin Gentry’s team is 3.5 back of Denver for the final playoff spot.

The Saints will stay in Louisiana for training camp this season. The NFL team will train at their facilities in Metairie after holding camp in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia the last three seasons. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says it’s good news for the fans…:
Cut 16 (15) “for that”
The team let the contract expire in West Virginia after three years and three straight non-playoff seasons.

Meanwhile the Saints continue to fill out their coaching staff as they announce former Tulane Head Coach Curtis Johnson, and former defensive line coach & run game coordinator for North Carolina State, Ryan Nielsen have been hired. Curtis joins the Saints staff as receivers coach and gets the title of Senior Offensive Assistant. Neilsen will be the new defensive line coach for the Saints.

In college hoops, Louisiana Tech managed to escape with a nail-biting 62-61 road victory over UTEP last night. With the win, Tech is now in a three way tie for fifth place in the Conference USA standings.

In the Southland, Northwestern Fell to Houston Baptist 86-69 in Natchitoches. UNO had a massive second half surge to down conference foe and in-state rival McNeese 69-63 last night in Lake Charles.

LSU second baseman Cole Freeman and outfielder Antoine Duplantis have been named to the SEC Coaches Pre-season All-SEC first team. Shortstop Kramer Robertson, outfielder Greg Deichmann and starting pitcher Alex Lange were named to the second team. The Tigers’ baseball team is a unanimous pick to win the 2017 SEC West Division, and both LSU and Florida were voted co favorites to win the SEC championship by the league’s 14 head coaches.

The Shreveport Times is reporting that Bulldogs quarterback J’mar Smith will make the Tech baseball roster and help provide depth in the outfield.

The Saints announce they will hold training camp this year at their team’s facility in Metairie. The last three years they were at White Sulphur Springs, West Virgina and each season ended with a seven and nine record. 2009 to 2013 was the last time they held training camp in Metairie and they had two of the best seasons in franchise history during that time.

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron formally introduced his two new assistant coaches today. Tommie Robinson is the Tigers new running backs coach and recruiting coorindator and he explained why he left a good situation at Southern Cal…
cut 30 (21) “…about him”
New Orleans native Mickey Joseph is the other new addition and he’ll coach receivers.

LSU and Florida were voted co-favorites to win the 2017 SEC baseball championship based on a poll of the league’s coaches. Five players were also named to the coahces preseason all-SEC squad….Cole Freeman, Antoine Duplantis, Kramer Robertson, Greg Deichmann and Alex Lange.

LSU Coach Paul Mainieri has announced Lange will start on opening night against Air Force on February 17th. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says it’s not a big surprise, since he’s the ace of the staff…
cut 19 (10) “….arm strength”
During the opening weekend, Jared Poche will start on Saturday and freshman right-hander Eric Walker will start on Sunday. Mainieri says Walker knows how to change speeds and he can throw three pitches for strikes.

In college hoops tonight…Louisiana Tech is at UTEP. The Bulldogs are two games back of Middle Tennesse in the Conference USA standings. In the Southland…Northwestern State hosts Houston Baptist , while UNO is at McNeese. The Privateers are tied for first in the league.

LSU introduced its two new assistant football coaches today, Tommie Robinson and Mickey Joseph. Robinson will serve as the Tigers running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He was recently named the Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year and he talked today about what it takes to be a good recruiter….
cut 30 (12) “…relentless”
Joseph will coach the wide receivers and the New Orleans native says he plans to improve the Tiger wide outs…
cut 29 (16) “…can be”
Joseph has previously coached at Louisiana Tech and Grambling.

LSU designated hitter Byrce Jordan will miss the 2017 season after tearing his ACL in his knee in practice. The former Barbe standout was expected to bat clean-up after hitting .293 last season. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Bryce Jordan would have been the perfect hitter behind LSU’s best power hitter Greg Deichman, who is slated to bat third…
cut 18 (18) “…of stuff”
Mainieri says there are three players who can fill the D-H role this season, Jordan Romero, Bryce Adams and left-handed hitter Mason Templet.

In basketball…the Utah Jazz blasted the Pelicans 127-94 last night. In college hoops…Louisiana Tech is at UTEP. The Bulldogs are two games back of Middle Tennesse in the Conference USA standings. In the Southland…Northwestern State hosts Houston Baptist , while UNO is at McNeese. The Privateers are tied for first in the league.

LSU’s All-SEC designated hitter Bryce Jordan will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. Coach Paul Mainieri says the injury occurred at practice as Jordan was chasing a foul ball down the left field line and felt his knee buckle. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the injury is a blow to the Tigers..:
Cut 17 (11) “line-up”
Mainieri has also announced that junior right-hander Alex Lange will start on opening night against Air Force on February 17th.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team is the unanimous choice to win the Sun Belt Western Division title based on a poll of the league’s coaches.UL Lafayette received all 12 first place votes.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron’s staff continues to come together. It’s reported that new Tigers’ linebackers coach Dennis Johnson will receive a two-year deal for $180,000 a season.

In the NBA, the Jazz jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and it was domination through the end of the game, as Utah danced past the Pels 127-94 last night in the Smoothie King Center. It was the worst loss of the season for New Orleans. Anthony Davis was presented with his All-Star Game jersey before Wednesday’s game, but he was limited to just 12 points in 30 minutes of action. The Pelicans fall to 20-32 overall and now hit the road for four games.

The Pelicans and Saints announced Wednesday that they are stepping up to help out victims of the tornadoes that hit New Orleans on Tuesday. The franchises have opened up the practice facilities in Metairie to serve as a collection site for non-perishable food items and other disaster-relief supplies.

In college hoops, Southeastern lost a rough one to Texas A&M Corpus Christi in Hammond by a score of 69-53. The Lions return home to play New Orleans Saturday.

Today UNO will travel to face McNeese State. The Privateers head into the game as the league’s top shooting team. Northwestern State is at Houston Baptist. And Louisiana Tech is at UTEP.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri said today that all-SEC designated hitter Bryce Jordan will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. Mainieri says the injury occurred at practice yesterday as Jordan was chasing a foul ball down the left field line and felt his knee buckle. The injury is a blow to the Tigers. The former Barbe standout was expected to bat clean-up after hitting .293 last season. Coach Paul Mainieri says Bryce Adams and Jordan Romero are couple of options to fill the DH role.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team is the unanimous choice to win the Sun Belt Western Division title based on a poll of the league’s coaches.UL Lafayette received all 12 first place votes. UT Arlington was picked to finish in second and the national defending champs, Coastal Carolina is the preseason favorite in the east.

And former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman avoided arbitration with Baltimore by agreeing to a $3.4 million dollar contract for the 2017 season.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron has called a press conference for 10 AM tomorrow to announce the hiring of assistant coaches Mickey Joseph and Tommie Robinson. Joseph is a New Orleans native and he’ll coach receivers, while Robinson replaces Jabbar Juluke as the Tigers running backs coach. The Baton Rouge Advocate’s Ross Dellenger says Robinson has 30 years of coaching experience that includes both college and pro. Dellenger says Robinson will also serve as LSU’s recruiting coordinator…
cut 30 (24) “…centered around”
Robinson was recently named PAC-12 recruiter of the year.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron has hired New Orleans native Mickey Joseph as his wide receivers coach and Tomme Robinson as the team’s running backs coach. Baton Rouge Advocate Reporter Ross Dellenger said on Tiger Rag Radio last night that both coaches were brought in to bolster LSU’s recruiting efforts….
cut 30 (19) “…fill your recruiting needs”
Former LSU running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has found a new job after he was reassigned by Orgeron last week. Juluke has been named the running backs coach for Texas Tech.

And New Hall of Famer Jason Taylor has made some interesting comments regarding former LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Taylor called Cameron “an idiot” in a stroy published in the Miami Herald. Taylor suffered through a 1-15 season with the Dolphins and Cameron was the head coach.

The Saints and the Pelicans are stepping up to help those who were impacted by yesterday’s tornado outbreak. The professional franchises are working with the United Way, the American Red Cross and the Second Harvest Food bank to provide necessary relief items. Non-perishable food and other tornado-related items can be dropped off at the teams’ training facilities in Metairie.

Tonight, at the Smoothie King Center the Pelicans will host the Utah Jazz. Utah leads the Northwest Division with a record of 33-19.

Last night in college basketball…LSU fell to Kentucky 92-85, tonight Tulane hosts Houston and Southestern is at Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.

Louisiana Tech’s Erik McCree has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association men’s basketball player of the week. McCree scored 30 points in a win over Marshall on Saturday. The Bulldogs at at UTEP tomorrow.

And the Ragin Cajuns baseball team is the unanimous choice to win the Sun Belt Western Division title based on a poll of the league’s coaches.