There’s a week to go before national signing day and the LSU Tigers are on the verge of landing a top five class. Rivals and 24–7 sports currently have Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class ranked as the nation’s seventh best. But Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says that ranking can go up, if LSU signs a few talented linebackers…:
Cut 16 (16) “down the stretch”
Dixon says they will have to wait until the February first national signing day on five or six guys who could decide to play at LSU.

The Tigers were after outside linebacker Christopher Allen of Southern Lab; but the four-star prospect and 5th ranked player from Louisiana told 24-7 sports yesterday that he’s sticking with Alabama.

LSU has announced it’s annual spring game will be held April 22nd with spring practice beginning March 11th. A kickoff time has not been set.

In the NBA; As a result of Monday night’s win over the Cavs, the Pelicans are still in the thick of the Western Conference playoff chase, just one game behind eighth place Denver and a half a game back of No. 9 Portland. But New Orleans’ schedule doesn’t get much easier as they host Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook tonight; then next Washington.

In college hoops, tonight both LSU and Florida will look to end losing streaks as they tip-off in the PMAC. The Tigers are 1-6 in the SEC and 9-9 overall, and their five-game skid in conference play is the longest for the program since the 2010-11 season. The No. 25 Gators are 5-2 in conference action and 14-5 on the season.

Southeastern will be looking for its 4th straight win tonight when the Lions host in-state conference rival Northwestern State. SLU is 5-2 in the Southland while the Demons are 2-4.

Last night on the hardwood, Tulane was knocked off by Houston 65-51. The Wave shot a season low 18 of 59 from the floor.

Today was the first day of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile. There are four former Tigers there trying to impress NFL scouts, linebacker Duke Riley, wide receiver Travin Dural, center Ethan Pocic and defensive back Tre Davious White. Grambling wide receiver Chad Williams is also there.

And LSU has announced it’s annual spring game will be held April 22nd with spring practice beginning March 11th. A game time for the spring game has not been set.

In recuiting news…Jennings running back Travis Etienne says he’ll announce his signing decision on Thursday at 5 PM. LSU, Tennessee, Texas A-and-M and Clemson have been after the ball carrier.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will suit up Sunday night and play in the Pro Bowl. He’ll replace Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, who can’t play in the all-star game, because he has to get ready for the Super Bowl. This will be Brees’ 10th Pro Bowl appearance.

It was an impressive win for the Pelicans last night as they rebounded from a bad loss to Brooklyn for their best win of the year, a 124-122 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. And the Pels did it without Anthony Davis, who didn’t play because of a right thigh contusion. Terrence Jones had 36 points to lead the way for New Orleans, while Jrue Holiday had 33. Holiday on the victory…
cut 30 (09) “…for the win”
And here’s more good news for New Orleans, Davis practiced today and he’s expected to play in Wednesday night’s home game against Oklahoma City.

In college basketball action tonight…Tulane is at Houston, tomorrow night, LSU looks to snap a five-game losing streak when they host 25th ranked Florida, while Southeastern Louisiana looks for its fourth straight win when they host Northwestern State.

What a bounce back win for the Pelicans last night. On Friday, New Orleans lost to the worst team in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets. But last night, without an injured Anthony Davis, the Pels defeated the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers 124-122. Forward Terrence Jones filled in for A-D and scored a season-high 35 points. Coach Alvin Gentry on Jones…
cut 30 (15) “…between them”
Jrue Holiday also had a big game as he finished with a season-high 33 points. New Orleans needed big efforts from those two, because Cavs all-star Kyrie Irving had 49 points and Lebron James had a triple-double. The Pels host Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will compete in his 10th Pro Bowl. Brees has been added to the NFC Roster as he’ll replace Matt Ryan, who will play in his first Super Bowl.

Louisiana Tech quarterback J’mar Smith is trying out for the Bulldogs baseball team. Smith is hoping to make the team as an outfielder.

ULM has received a commitment from John Ehret offensive lineman Dwayne Fisher. Fisher was previously committed to Arkansas and had offers from three Power Five schools.

In college basketball action last night….Alabama State upset Southern 79-65. The Ragin Cajuns allowed Texas Arlington to shoot 57-percent from the field in a 108-71 loss to the Mavericks. UL Lafayette’s Bryce Washington had a double-double, 17 points and 10 rebounds. ULM lost its seven straight as they fell in a close one, 63-57 to Texas State. Tonight, Tulane is at Houston and on Wednesday, LSU hosts 25th ranked Florida.

Pelicans forward Terrence Jones and guard Jrue Holiday were the stars last night in New Orleans’ impressive 124-122 win over the Cavaliers; even as Anthony Davis sat on the bench. The Pels scored a season-best 70 points in the opening half; and Jones had 35 total points in the game while Holiday added 33. New Orleans stays at home Wednesday when they take on the Thunder.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named to his 10th Pro-Bowl on Monday. Brees becomes the first Saints player to make the team after New Orleans was shutout in the initial voting. The Pro-Bowl will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sunday. Brees replaces Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan who will miss it because of the Super Bowl.

The LSU Police Department is yet again investigating a burglary at Tiger Stadium. It’s the third break-in in less than a month, but cops don’t believe the cases are connected. Each time only minor damage was reported.

In college hoops, UTA stormed past UL-Lafayette last night 108-71 in a Sun Belt Conference game. Louisiana will return to action on Saturday when it faces Little Rock. Also in the SBC, ULM came up short at Texas State dropping a 63-57 road contest. The Warhawks come back home Saturday afternoon to face Arkansas State. In the SWAC, Southern got stung by the Hornets, in a 79-65 defeat. Today, Tulane is at Houston.

Louisiana Tech’s Erik McCree registered two double-digit scoring performances this past week, helping the forward earn the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week award. This marks the fourth time this season McCree got the honor.

LSU baseball will start the 2017 season with another preseason top 5 ranking. Baseball America places the Tigers at No. 4. Louisiana-Lafayette enters the season with the No. 13 ranking in the poll. The Ragin’ Cajuns and Tigers meet in the Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic at Zephyr Field in Metairie on Tuesday, April 11.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans will host Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. New Orleans is coming off an embarrassing loss on Friday to the team with the worst record in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets. Tonight, New Orleans gets a chance to face the defending champs, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve lost five of their last nine. Tip-off is at 7:00.

Tonight on C-S-T at 8 PM, the Ragin Cajuns will take on Texas-Arlington. UL Lafayette is 3-3 in league play, while U-T-A is 4-and-2 and they’ve won 10 straight home games. The Cajuns lead the Sun Belt in scoring, averaging 83 points a game.

Also tonight, the Warhawks are at Texas State. ULM is 0-6 in league play.

In the SWAC…Southern is at Alabama State. The Jaguars are in second place in the conference with a 5-2 mark. Southern has won three in a row and they are coming a one point win over Alabama A-and-M.

There’s been another burglary inside Tiger Stadium. It’s the third one in the last month, but once again LSU officials are not releasing any details about what happened, what was taken or if there was any damage. But police believe none of the break-ins are connected.

For the second straight week and the third time this season, Louisiana Tech point guard DaQuan Bracey is the Conference USA freshman of the Week. The Baltimore native averaged 12.5 points and shot 63-percent from the field in two victories last week. Bracey and the Bulldogs are in second place in the league standings and face a big week coming up, with road games at UAB and Middle Tennessee.

LSU received its fourth Top 5 preseason ranking in a college baseball poll today. Baseball America’s Top 25 was released this morning and the Tigers are ranked fourth. TCU is ranked number one, followed by Florida State and then Florida. UL Lafayette is ranked 13th. Full squad workouts begin later this week for college baseball teams.

It was an impressive performance by Atlanta’s defense in yesterday’s NFC Championship game as they held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense in check in a 44-21 win for the Dirty Birds. Several players with ties to Louisiana had a part in the victory.

Former Southeastern Louisiana Lion Robert Alford had five tackles for Atlanta, so did former LSU Tiger Deion Jones. Former Tiger Jalen Collins forced a fumble for the Falcons he recovered; and Tyson Jackson out of LSU had a sack.

The Patriots offense performed like a machine yesterday, so former Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen only punted twice. New England beat Pittsburgh 36-17. The Patriots and Falcons meet in Super Bowl 51 on Sunday February 5th.

Another college baseball preseason poll has the LSU Tigers ranked in the top 5. Baseball America has LSU ranked fourth. TCU is number one, Florida State two and Florida is ranked third. The Ragin Cajuns are ranked 13th in the poll. Full squad workouts begin later this week.

After an embarrassing loss to the worst team in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets, on Friday night, the Pelicans will host the defending champs tonight. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers face New Orleans tonight. It’s the start of a tough week for the Pels, who host Oklahoma City on Wednesday and San Antonio on Friday.

Tom Brady and the Patriots will once again be headed to the Super Bowl following a 36-17 win over the Steelers Sunday; and it was the Falcons who picked up the NFC title after routing the Packers, 44-21. Former Southeastern Louisiana Lion Robert Alford had five tackles for Atlanta, so did former LSU Tiger Deion Jones. Former Tiger Jalen Collins forced a fumble for the Falcons he recovered; and Tyson Jackson out of LSU had a sack.

Multiple sources report that neither Sean Payton nor the New Orleans Saints reached out to the Colts to work out a potential trade involving the coach. Payton said in a recent interview on WWL Radio that he plans to be back because he’s got four more years on a contract with New Orleans.

Camping World is no longer the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. The company is ending its relationship with the bowl game after the second year of a four year contract. Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis told the Shreveport times that they were not happy with the TV ratings and overall experience.

In college hoops, UNO remains in first place in the Southland thanks to an 81-63 win over Central Arkansas. The Privateers have won 7 of their last 8 and lead Sam Houston State by one game in the conference standings.

Louisiana Tech improved to 6-1 in CUSA with an 81-57 victory over North Texas on Saturday. This is a big week for the Bulldogs who visit UAB on Thursday and Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

ULM will stay in Texas today as they prepare to face San Marcos in Sun Belt Action tonight at 7. The Warhawks were handed a 71-55 road loss to UTA Saturday. The UL-Lafayette Ragin-Cajuns take on The Mavericks tonight on the road.

Southeastern got its 16th straight home win Saturday beating Houston Baptist 81-74. The Lions will stay at home when they face in-state rival Northwestern State Wednesday.

Same old story for the LSU Tigers, who lost their 5th straight. They didn’t play much defense, as they allowed Arkansas to shoot 53% from the field, 8-of-16 from 3-point territory and the Razorbacks won 99-86. Up next for LSU is a home game against 19th ranked Florida on Wednesday night.

Edna Karr wide receiver Racey McMath has given his verbal pledge to the LSU Tigers. The six-foot-three, 215 pounder is the 20th commitment in the Tigers 2017 class. McMath caught 16 touchdown passes for the Class Four-A state champion Cougars this past season.

Pelcians head coach Alvin Gentry did not hide his displeasure after his team was beat badly at home by the Brooklyn Nets last night. Brooklyn, who has the worst record in the NBA, walloped New Orleans 143-114 to end an 11-game losing streak. Gentry says it was an embarassing performance…
cut 30 (15) “…sugar coating it”
New Orleans hosts Cleveland Monday.

The LSU men’s basketball team will attempt to end a four-game losing streak tonight when they visit Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 14-4 overall, 3-and-3 in the SEC and they are second in the league in points scored, averaging 81 a game. And LSU has had its issues trying to defend teams this season. Tip-off is at 7:30.

Also today, Louisiana Tech hosts North Texas. The Bulldogs are 5-1 in Conference USA, one game out of first place.

UNO leads the Southland Conference with a 5-1 record. The Privateers are at Central Arkansas today. Southeastern Louisiana is 4-2 in league play and the Lions will host Hosuton Baptist.

And Camping World is no longer the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. The company is ending its relationship with the bowl game after the second year of a four year contract. Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis told the Shreveport times that they were not happy with the TV ratings and overall experience.

The Saints have reportedly interviewed former 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula for their vacant defensive line coach position. Tomsula was the 49ers head coach for one season in 2015 and was fired after a 5-11 campaign. He didn’t coach this past season, but was San Fran’s D-line coach from 2007 to 2014.

The NFL announced today that the Saints will play the Dolphins in London on October 1st. A game time has not been set. Miami will be the home team.

The Independence Bowl needs to find another title sponsor. Camping World has decided to end it’s relationship with the Shreveport bowl after the second year of a four-year deal.

LSU strength coach Tommy Moffitt has reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal that will boost his pay and keep him with the Tigers through the 2019 season. Moffitt has been at LSU since 2000.

Anthony Davis has been voted a starter for the Western Conference. The NBA All-Star game will take place February 19th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Tonight, the Pelicans host the struggling Brooklyn Nets, who have the worst record in the league and have lost 11 in a row.

The LSU men’s basketball will look to end a a four-game losing streak tomorrow when they visit Arkansas. Coach Johnny Jones is considered to be on the hot seat, but Jones says he doesn’t really think about his job security.

Also tomorrow, Louisiana Tech will host North Texas. The Bulldogs have won three in a row after beating Rice 74-64 last night. Tomorrow night, the 1966-67 team will be honored. They were the first Tech hoops team to make the NCAA Tournament.

In the Sun Belt, ULM looks for its first league win as they visit UT Arlington, while the Ragin Cajuns visit Texas State.

In the Southland tomorrow…Nicholls hosts Lamar, Northwestern is at McNeeese, UNO, who is 5-1 in the league visits Central Arkansas and Southeastern takes on Houston Baptist in Hammond.

The NFL has announced the Saints will play the Miami Dolphins in London on October 1st. A time has not been set. This one of four games that will be played in London next season and the Dolphins will be considered the home team.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that LSU strength coach Tommy Moffitt is getting a raise as part of a new three-year contract. Moffitt is 54-years-old and he’s been at LSU since 2000 when Nick Saban hired him.

Very successful coaches make up the 2017 class of the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Leading the group is former Lutcher football coach Tim Detillier, who retired after the 2015 season after leading the Bulldogs to four Class 3A state titles. Also in the class, former Barbe football coach Jimmy Shaver, former Woodlawn basketball coach Kenny Almond and former Ascension Catholic football coach Bucky Mistretta.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis has been named a starter for the Western Conference All-Star team. The game will be played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on February 19th. It’s the second time Davis has been voted as a starter and it will be his fourth All-star game appearance in six NBA seasons. Tonight, the Pels host the Brooklyn Nets who have the worst record in the NBA.

The ULM men’s hoops squad is still looking for its first win in Sun Belt play. The Warhawks are 0-5 in league play as they visit Texas-Arlington on Saturday. Coach Keith Richard on his team’s recent losing ways…
cut 30 (18) “…figure it all out”
Tip-off in Arlington on Saturday is at 4:30.