Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says the late Will Smith would have been the team’s defensive line coach in 2016, if he had not been gunned down last April. Payton spoke at a pre-sentencing hearing for Cardell Hayes, who was convicted on manslaughter in the fatal shooting of the former Saints star. At the end of his testimony, Payton choked up and said Smith was a special person. Hayes will be sentenced no later than Friday. He faces up to 60 years.

NFL fans should be excited today. That’s because the 2017 schedule is unveiled tonight at 7 PM on the NFL Network.

A week from today, it’s the first round of the NFL draft. The Sacramento Bee reports LSU running back Leonard Fournette visited with the 49ers yesterday. San Francisco has the second overall pick in the draft. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier calls LSU receivers Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural among the best kept secrets in this draft.

Louisiana Tech baseball had another good offensive night last night as the Bulldogs outlasted Little Rock 10-6. For the second consecutive night Jonathan Washam had three hits, Brent Diaz drilled a three-run homer and Parker Bates reached three times.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball won their fifth straight as UL Lafayette defeated Southeastern Louisiana 9-2. Brad Antchak, Steven Sensley and Kennon Fontenot each had three hits.

Also last night, Tulane topped Southern Miss 10-8.

Today, LSU leaves for its series against Kentucky. The Wildcats lead the SEC East, while Tigers freshman center fielder Zach Watson has a 12-game hitting streak.

Former LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has found a new job. Jones has been named an assistant at Nevada. Eric Musselman is the head coach of the Wolpack and he served as an assistant under Jones, during the 2014-15 season when the Tigers received a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

UL-Lafayette extended its win streak to five games as the Cajuns defeated Southeastern 9-2 last night. It was Lions’ starter Derrick Mount’s first loss of the season after surrendering four runs on eight hits to the Cajuns. UL-Lafayette returns to action this weekend at Little Rock. Southeastern will split a series against rival Nicholls.

In a game that last nearly four hours, Louisiana Tech railed from an early deficit to claim a 10-6 victory over Little Rock. The Diamond Dogs host Conference USA-foe UAB this weekend.

The New Orleans Saints 2017 schedule will be revealed tonight. The NFL regular season lineup will be announced in a two-hour show beginning at 7pm on the NFL Network.

The NBA playoffs are in full swing and former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap, of the Atlanta Hawks, posted a team-high 27 points and 10 rebounds across 35 minutes in a 109-101 Game 2 loss to the Wizards on Wednesday.

It didn’t take long for former LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones to find a new gig. As it were, Jones was hired to be an assistant under Nevada’s head basketball coach, Eric Mussleman — who was an assistant under Jones in 2015 when the Tigers went to the NCAA Tournament.

New LSU coach Will Wade has his second signee of the spring signing period. Junior College guard Daryl Edwards.

The new Louisiana Bass Trail is promoting north Louisiana’s world renowned bass fishing to kids. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A six run second inning last night helped LSU defeat Lamar 10-4. Nick Coomes and Josh Smith hit back-to-back home runs to start the rally. Lamar made it 6-4 in the fourth inning, but got no closer as Austin Bain, Nick Bush, Zach Hess and Hunter Newman all pitched well out of the bullpen. The Tigers are at Kentucky this Saturday. The Wildcats lead the SEC East with a 10-5 record.

In action tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is visiting the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette blanked Tulane one to nothing last night. Louisiana Tech won a thriller over McNeese State last night. The Bulldogs scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth for an eight to seven win. Tonight the Bulldogs are at Little Rock. and Tulane hosts Southern Miss.

In softball action….16th ranked LSU ended a four game losing streak with a five to two win over Northwestenr State. The Tigers are 33-12 and ranked 16th in the ESPN.com-USA Softball. UL Lafayette is ranked 18th.

Former LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones has a new job. Jones has accepted an assistant coaching job at Nevada. Eric Musselman is the head coach of the Wolfpack and he served as an assistant for Jones in the 2014-15 seasons. Former LSU Tiger Ronald Dupree is also an assistant at Nevada.

Junior college combo guard Daryl Edwards has signed a national letter of intent with LSU. He shot 47-percent from three at Northwest Florida State College a year ago and averaged nearly 14 points a game. Edwards chose the Tigers over Iowa State, Utah and UNLV.

LSU scored six runs in the second inning last night and went on to beat Lamar 10-4. Nick Coomes and Josh Smith hit back-to-back home runs to start the rally. Lamar made it 6-4 in the fourth inning, but got no closer as Austin Bain, Nick Bush, Zach Hess and Hunter Newman all pitched well out of the bullpen.

After a tough stretch, Louisiana Tech has won seven of its last ten as they edged McNeese State eight to seven. Jordan Washam’s RBI double in the ninth inning produced a walk-off win for the Bulldogs, who are now 24-13. McNeese falls to 26-10.

ULM edged Grambling four to three, Northwestern State thumped Prairie View 16-1, Southern Miss doubled up Nicholls 16-8 and UL Lafayette blanked Tulane one to nothing. It’s the eighth shutout of the season for the Cajuns, who have won four straight. Colten Schmidt was the winning pitcher, Dylan Moore earned the save. Kennon Fontenot drove in the winning run with a bases loaded walk.

LSU’s spring football game is Saturday night at 7:00. Tigers offensive tackle K.J, Malone says there’s definitely a different about this spring game and it’s not just because it will be played under the lights in Death Valley…
cut 18 (13) “….exciting”

In NFL, cornerback Malcolm Butler has signed his tender with New England. We’ll wait and see if he’ll be traded to the Saints now. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be featured on the popular HBO Television series Hard Knocks.

Junior college combo guard Daryl Edwards has signed with LSU. He shot 47-percent from three at Northwest Florida State College a year ago and chose the Tigers over Iowa State, Utah and UNLV. Edwards is six-foot-four and averaged nearly 14-points a game last season.

Shaquille O’ Neal’s son, Shareef, has announced he plans on attending Arizona.

LSU fans will get their first glimpse on Saturday of what the Fighting Tigers offense will look like next fall when the Tigers compete in the Spring Game. Senior offensive tackle K.J. Malone of Ruston says it will look a lot different…:
Cut 17 (18) “the quarterback”
The Spring game will get underway on Saturday night at seven o’ clock.

Last night the LSU baseball team powered past Lamar 10-4. The Tigers are now 26-12 on the season. Right-hander Caleb Gilbert earned the win after firing two innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out one.

The 23rd ranked McNeese State Cowboys fell to Louisiana Tech 8-7. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for The Pokes. The Diamond Dogs have now won three over a top-25 opponent this season.

The sentencing is today for, Cardell Hayes, the man who shot and killed Former Saints defensive end Will Smith…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Saints will learn their 2017 schedule tomorrow night. The NFL Network is making the announcements at 7.

The big sports story this morning is that disgraced former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez has committed suicide in prison. The Massachusetts Department of Corrections said Hernandez hung himself with a bed sheet. He was serving life in prison without the possibility of parole, but was Friday in the news for being acquitted on another murder charge.

It’s a busy night on the college baseball diamonds across the state. LSU will host Lamar at 6:30. The eighth ranked Tigers will be looking to improve their record to 26-12. Lamar is 22-and-15 and beat LSU last year 12-to-11 in Beaumont, Texas.

Louisiana Tech will host 23rd ranked McNeese State. It’s the first time the Pokes have ever been ranked in baseball and tonight marks the start of an eight-game road trip for the Cowboys. McNeese Coach Justin Hill believes his team is ready for this long stretch away from home….
cut 18 (15) “…care of itself”
Also tonight, the Cajuns are at Tulane. ULM visits Grambling and Northwestern State hosts Prairie View A-and-M.

There was some specuation the Saints will be featured on H-B-O’s “Hard Knocks” but instead another team from the NFC South will receive that publicity. Tampa Bay Buccaneer officials say they will make a major announcement tomorrow and they are expected to say they’ve been chosen to participate in the popular HBO series.

We know who the Saints will play next season and Thursday night we’ll find out when. The entire 2017 regular season schedule will be unveiled at 7 PM on the NFL Network. The Saints will play their division rivals twice and they’ll host the Bears, Lions, Patriots, Jets and Redskins and travel to Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, to the Los Angeles Rams and play the Dolphins in London.

We all know, the Saints have expressed interest in Patriots cornerback Malcolm Buter. It’s been reported Bulter has signed his restricted free agent tender, but ESPN’s Field Yates says a trade is still on the table. Butler recently visited the Saints, while he was a restricted free agent.

LSU hosts Lamar tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Lamar’s head coach is Will Davis who is a former player at LSU and also served for seven seasons as a volunteer assistant coach. Davis has led Lamar to a record of 22-15 and last year the Cardinals beat the Tigers 12-11.

In other action tonight, UL Lafayette visits Tulane. Tonight’s game against the Green Wave is the start of a five-game week for the Cajuns. Coach Tony Robichaux says it’s always difficult playing this many games during a week…
cut 20 (20) “…good defense”
The Green Wave have won 15 of their last 21.

For the first time in the school’s history, McNeese State baseball is ranked in a top 25 poll. They are ranked by Collegiate Baseball as the 23rd best in the country. The Cowboys are 26-9 and 16-2 in the Southland and in first place in the standings. Rhett Deaton and Austin Sanders have been solid weekend starters for the Cowboys and Head Coach Justin Hill says the bullpen has been consistent, helping the Pokes become one of the top pitching teams in the Southland…
cut 17 (11) “…right there”
McNeese will play its first game as a ranked team tonight when they visit Louisiana Tech.

Elsewhere…Northwestern State hosts Prarie View A-and-M, ULM is at Grambling and Nicholls State will face Southern Miss in Biloxi.

Defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko will transfer to LSU. Fehoko started all 25 games during his two seasons at Texas Tech and had 38 tackles, seven and a half tackles for a loss and two sacks. The Hawaii native will have to sit out the 2017 season, but he’ll have two years of eligibity starting in 2018.

For the first time in the school’s history, McNeese State baseball is ranked in a top 25 poll. Collegiate Baseball puts them at 23rd best in the country. The Cowboys are 26-9 and 16-2 in the Southland — and in first place in the standings. Head Coach Justin Hill says it’s a great moment for the program…:
Cut 16 (14) “little bit”
McNeese will play its first game as a ranked team tonight when they face Louisiana Tech. The Diamond Dogs are coming off a series victory over Old Dominion in Conference USA play and enter tonight’s game with a 23-13 overall record.

The LSU baseball team seems to be holding on to their high rankings after going 3-1 last week, including a series win against Ole Miss at The Box. The Tigers are ranked No. 9 in Baseball America and D1 Baseball LSU hosts Lamar tonight.

In New Orleans tonight, Tulane hosts the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette is 21-14-and one this season, but Coach Tony Robichaux is well aware of his team’s troubles in midweek games, especially at the plate…:
Cut 19 (19) “middle of the week”
The Green Wave enters the week at 18-18 overall, and have won four in a row.

Also today >> Northwestern State hosts Prairie View. ULM is at Grambling. and Nicholls State takes on Southern Miss in Biloxi.

The LSU football team has landed an impressive player, as former Texas Tech defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko has announced he will transfer to the Tigers. The four star defensive lineman leaves the Red Raiders with 38 total tackles, two sacks and one interception.

The LSU baseball team will host Lamar tomorrow night. The Tigers have won five of their last six after going through a stretch where they lost six of nine. LSU second baseman Cole Freeman likes how the Tigers are playing after beating the Rebels 3-2 on Saturday…
cut 18 (15) “…the limit”
The Tigers are 9-6 in league play and in fourth place in the SEC West, two games back of division leader Arkansas.

Former Texas Tech defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko has announced he will transfer to LSU. The former four-star defensive lineman started 25 straight games in Lubbocks and had 38 tackles, two sacks and one interception as a Red Raider. He’ll have to sit out in 2017, but will have two years of eligibility starting in 2018.

Tulane, McNeese State and UL-Lafayette are in first place in their respective conferences or divisions. The Green Wave swept UCONN this past weekend and they are 7-2 in the AAC. The Ragin Cajuns swept Arkansas State and they lead the West Division of the Sun Belt. Tulane hosts UL Lafayette tomorrow night.

McNeese State is 16-2 in the Southland after sweeping UNO. The Cowboys are at Louisiana Tech tomorrow night.

Southeastern is 10-8 in the Southland, which is good for fifth place. But Lions right-hander Mac Sceroler (Suh-roller) was named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week. Sceroler struck out a career-12 in a seven to nothing win over Northwestern State on Thursday night.

The Saints begin their offseason workout program today. Receiver Willie Snead is participating even though he’s yet to sign his one-year tender offer. Tight end Josh Hill also reportedly showed up today as he continues to rehab from a broken fibula.

In the Baseball America poll, LSU remains ranked ninth after taking two of three from Ole Miss. Eric Walker was the winning pitcher on Saturday. The freshman from Texas is 5-0 and he had help from the fielders behind him, including second baseman Cole Freeman who had a couple of stellar defensive plays….
cut 17 (11) “….good game”
LSU hosts Lamar tomorrow night.

Louisiana Tech took two of three from Old Dominion over the Easter weekend. Coach Lane Burroughs says his team showed a lot of heart…
cut 20 (13) “….the ballgame’
Tech is now 6-9 in Conference USA and host red hot McNeese State tomorrow night. The Pokes have won seven straight.

The Saints begin their offseason conditioning program today. Players can use the team’s facility to run, lift and rehab for the next two weeks. Receiver Willie Snead has reportedly showed up to the team’s voluntary offseason program, even though he’s not signed the contract that was tendered to him. Tight end Josh Hill also reportedly showed up today as he continues to rehab from a broken fibula. Cornerback PJ Williams, who missed most of last season with a concussion, is also a full-go for offseason workouts.

And former LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry also showed up for offseason workouts with Miami. Landry is entering the final year of his rookie contract and there’s been talk of an extension.

An assistant football and softball coach at Sterlington High School in Ouachita Parish has been arrested on a charge of cruelty to juveniles. Authorities say Jack Goode allegedly allowed minors to drink alcohol at his home, then got a verbal fight with one of them, that eventually turned physical.