Clemson’s thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama in last night’s national championship game marked the end of another college football season. In the final AP Top 25 poll, LSU is ranked 13th, which is the Tigers highest finish since 2011 when they finished second. Also, LSU is the second highest ranked SEC team behind Alabama. The Bayou Bengals also finished the year fifth in scoring defense.

Louisiana Tech’s Trent Taylor led all FBS players in receiving yards with 1,803, while fellow Bulldog Carlos Henderson was fifth with 1,535 yards.

LSU wide receiver DJ Chark has announced he’s returning for his senior season. It’s still to be determined if the Tigers leading receiver in 2016, Malachi Dupre, will return.

And Carl Edwards is reportedly leaving NASCAR. An official announcement from the 37-year-old is expected tomorrow.

Anthony Davis had 40 points and 18 rebounds to help New Orleans beat the struggling New York Knicks 110-96. Davis only played 29 minutes as he was a victim of a flagrant foul that resulted in the MVP candidate being knocked into the front row of fans behind the baseline. X-rays on Davis were negative. New Orleans will stay in New York and take on the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

In college hoops…Grambling defeated Alcorn State 67-62. Avery Ugba led the way with 19 points, while Jackson State knocked off Southern 65-61.

WWE has announced that Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in 2018. The Big Easy hosted the pay-per-view event in 2014 and 75-thousand people packed into the Superdome to watch best professional wrestlers in the world.

And FIFA announces the World Cup will expand to 48 teams in 2026. It’s the largest expansion since the marquee tournament went to 32 nations in 1998. The next World Cup event is 2018 in Russia.

Clemson made history last night and ended up winning the College Football title for the first time since 1981, after a last-second 2-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Deshaun Watson lifted the Tigers to the 35-31 victory over Alabama. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette tweeted that after three Clemson touchdowns, the LSU football defense allowed the fewest TDs in the FBS this year with 16 in 12 games.

Former LSU Tiger Michael Clayton and New Orleans native Payton Manning found each other on the sideline during the game in Tampa and posted a picture together on Facebook.

Speaking of Manning, he and fellow Big Easy native Marshall Faulk are going to the College Football Hall of Fame. They will be inducted later this year.

Now the College football playoff semifinals will rotate back to where they began after the 2014 season with the Sugar and Rose Bowls hosting January 1st, 2018. The title game will be in Atlanta.

Another impressive scoring effort last night by Pelicans star Anthony Davis lifted New Orleans to a 110-96 victory against the Knicks. Davis had 40 points and 18 rebounds before leaving the court with a hip injury. The victory snaps a three game losing streak for New Orleans who stay in New York to face Brooklyn on Thursday.

LSU’s DJ Chark is returning for his senior season. The Alexandria native caught 26 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns during his a break-out 2016 campaign. He made a tweet suggesting that he’ll be taking former LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s No. 7.

Last night in SWAC college hoops, Southern floundered a late lead and ended up falling to Jackson State 65-61. Grambling is now 7-10 on the season after a 67-62 victory over Alcorn State.

Former Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone was named as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday.

Sports talk hosts are having fun with Odell Beckham’s poor playoff debut. The former LSU Tiger dropped three passes, including one for a touchdown in a 38-13 loss to Green Bay. Beckham reportedly punched a hole in a wall after the game, but seemed relatively calm when he spoke with reporters afterwards….
cut 30 (13) (14) “…to be here”
The New York media and fans have said that Beckham can spend plenty of days on a boat before the next season starts. Beckham is catching flak for a trip to Miami early last week, where he and his fellow Giants receivers took a shirtless photo while taking a boat ride.

LSU’s DJ Chark is returning for his senior season. The Alexandria native caght 26 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns during his a break-out 2016 campaign.

New Orleans natives Peyton Manning and Marshall Faulk are heading into the College Football Hall of Fame. They will be inducted later this year. Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, ex-New Mexico Star Brian Urlacher, along with former Florida and South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier are also part of this class.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is the new defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Williams was with the Rams the last three seasons. Williams was the Saints defensive coordinator during the Super Bowl season, but missed the 2012 season as punishment for his role in the Saints Bountygate scandal.

Former Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone was named as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars today. Marrone was the Saints O-C from 2006-2009.

In the NBA…the Pelicans visit the New York Knicks. The Knicks have lost seven of their last eight, while New Orleans will look to end a three-game losing streak.

In the SWAC…Southern is at Jackson State, while Grambling State hsot Alcorn State. Grambling and Alcorn are 1-2 in SWAC play.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham is facing a lot of criticism today for his performance in yesterday’s 38-13 playoff loss to Green Bay. Beckham dropped three pass, including a potential touchdown grab. He admits it could have been different story if the Giants scored touchdowns instead of field goals in the first half…
cut 30 (16) “….those plays”
Beckham’s former teammate at LSU, Jarvis Landry, had 11 catches for 102 yards, but Miami was no match for Pittsburgh yesterday as the Steelers easily beat the Dolphins 30-12.

Two New Orleans natives have been named as members of College Football Hall of Fame’s 2017 induction class. Peyton Manning and Marshall Faulk will go into the Hall along with Matt Leinart, Brian Urlacher, and coach Steve Spurrier.

Former Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes is out of a job. California has fired Dykes after four seasons and a 19-30 record. The Bears went 8-5 in 2015, but won only five games this past season. Dykes says he was surprised and disappointed by Cal’s decision to let him go.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been hired as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Williams spent the past three seasons with the Rams after he was suspended for 2012 season for his role in the Saints “Bountygate” scandal. Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson says Williams one of the better coordinators in the National Football League.

The Pelicans are in New York tonight to face the Knicks. New Orleans is looking to snap a three game-losing streak.

It’s National Championship Day as Alabama and Coach Nick Saban take on the Clemson Tigers tonight in Tampa. Over the past two seasons they’re the two top programs in the nation. The undefeated Crimson Tide is 28-1 and winners of 26 straight games, and the Tigers are 27-2 and trying to complete their second consecutive 14-1 season. Alabama won its 16th title and the fourth in the Saban Era last January. This morning former LSU Coach Les Miles will appear on the Mike and Mike radio show to give his take on the match-up.

In the NFL, last night Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers overcame a sluggish start and finished the rout of the Giants with four touchdown passes including a 42 yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half in the Packers 38-13 win. Green Bay will face Dallas in the divisional round. Also this weekend Atlanta hosts Seattle, Houston is at New England and Pittsburgh is at Kansas City.

LSU basketball fans who braved the cold to see the Tigers on Saturday afternoon in the Maravich Center saw Mississippi State warm up the nets quickly on the way to a 95-78 over the Bayou Bengals. The loss drops the Tigers’ record to 1-2 in the SEC, and 9-5 overall — and will hit the hardwood again on Wednesday when they visit Texas A&M.

The ULM men’s basketball team could not overcome a 12-point halftime deficit on Saturday night as they fell to in-state rival UL-Lafayette 69-60 inside the Cajundome.

Texas-San Antonio beat Louisiana Tech 69-68 on Saturday night. Erik McCree led the Bulldogs with 23 points.

Yesterday Tulane men’s fell to Memphis 80-59; and the women lost to Temple 86-71.

The LSU Lady Tigers had a nice one on Sunday rallying to beat Arkansas on the road, 53-52.

Today Grambling hosts Alcorn State, and Southern is at Jackson State.

In the NBA, The New Orleans Pelicans began a 5 game road stint Saturday and fell to Boston 108-117. The Pels travel to take on the Knicks today at 6:30.

The next time LSU Safety Jamal Adams plays football, it will be with an NFL team. Adams has made the decision to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft, where it’s expected he’ll be selected in the middle of the first round. Adams gave a heart felt speech during a Friday morning press conference as he thanked everyone, including the fans….
cut 16 (12) “…geaux tigers”
A surprise guest to Adams’ announcement was former LSU Head Coach Les Miles, who recruited the future first round pick out of Lewisville, Texas. The 63-year-old says he wants to be a head coach again and he’s looking for a school where an athletic director and president want him. Miles says he’s had some interviews including one in the last 48 hours, but he’s not disappointed that he’s yet to find a gig.

The Saints made it official Friday afternoon with the announcement they’ve let five assistant coaches go, including longtime assistant Joe Vitt, who also served as assistant head coach. Special teams assistant Stan Kwan and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon were also let go. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic says you saw the hand writing on the wall with McMahon…
cut 18 (11) “…long term”
None of the assistants fired were on the offensive side of the ball.

In basketball…after losing to the Hawks on Thursday night, the Pelicans begin a five-game road trip in Boston on Saturday.

Also Saturday, The LSU Tigers are home to host Mississippi State. The Bayou Bengals are looking to improve to 2-1 in league play. The Ragin Cajuns will host ULM. Louisiana Tech will take on Texas San Antonio in Ruston and Southern will be at Grambling.

LSU All-American Safety Jamal Adams announces he’s skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft. Adams held a press conference this morning to thank all of those who helped him become a likely first-round draft choice. Adams was emotional when talking about his parents…
cut 15 (15) “….thank em enough”
Adams joins running back Leonard Fournette and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux as LSU’s early NFL entrees. Still waiting to hear what wide receivers Malachi Dupre and DJ Chark will do.

Former LSU Coach Les Miles was in attendance for Adams’ announcement. There were reports he talked with Minnesota officials about the Golden Gophers vacant head coaching job, but that went to PJ Fleck, who just led Western Michigan to a Cotton Bowl berth.

The Saints are coming off their third consecutive seven and nine season, so changes had to occur. Five assistant coaches have been let go including assistant head coach Joe Vitt and James Willis. Both coached the linebackers. Saints Sideline reporter Kristian Garic says it’s not hard to see why they were given a pink slip…
cut 17 (08) “…linebackers coach”
Defensive line coach Bill Johnson will also not back and special teams assistant Stan Kwan and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon were also let go.

In basketball last night….Atlanta defeated New Orleans 99-94. Anthony Davis had 20 points for the Pels, Paul Millsap had 17 for the Hawks. In college hoops…Louisiana Tech trounced UTEP 64-44. Eric McCree had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

UNO now leads the Southland Conference with a 3-0 record. The Privateers defeated Lamar 66-62 in overtime last night. Southeastern, McNeese and Northwestern State all lost yesterday.

The New Orleans Saints have fired Joe Vitt, the longtime assistant head coach, and a number of other coaches. Sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network, Kristian Garic, says Vitt has been with coach Sean Payton in New Orleans since 2006…:
Cut 16 (11) “says a lot”
James Willis who also coached the linebackers was let go. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson won’t be back, and special teams assistant Stan Kwan and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon is also out. The Saints are coming off their third consecutive seven and nine season.

In the NBA, The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Hawks 99-94 last night. Atlanta has one of the highest rated defenses in the league and Pels star Anthony Davis was held in check. The Pelicans will now embark on the longest road trip of the season, a 10-day, five-game excursion.

In the Southland Conference college hoops, Southeastern fell to Houston Baptist 81-74. McNeese lost to Sam Houston State 74-67. UNO beat Lamar in overtime 66-62. Northwestern State didn’t get a conference win after losing to UIW, 84-80. In the third annual Red Out Game, Louisiana Tech slammed UTEP in Ruston, 64-44.

This morning at 10am, we’ll find out if LSU safety Jamal Adams will head to the NFL or return with the Tigers for his senior season.

It’s reported that former LSU head coach Les Miles with University of Minnesota officials about the Golden Gophers’ coaching vacancy. The Mad Hatter was fired mid-season at LSU in 2016 after a 2–2 start.

The former head of the State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the allegations of misconduct during his tenure with the agency are fabricated. Robert Barham made the statements during the public comment period of LDWF’s Thursday meeting.

It’s a big night of basketball across the state. The Pelicans are home to take on the Atlanta Hawks. New Orleans beat Atlanta 112-to-94 earlier this season. Former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap is averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds a game for the Hawks.

Louisiana Tech will host UTEP in the third annual Red Out game at the Thomas Asembly Center. The Bulldogs will wear red jerseys at home for the first time this year.

In the Southland Conference…Southeastern, McNeese and UNO are all off to 2-0 starts in league action and they are on the court tonight. The Lions are at Houston Baptist, the Cowboys host Sam Houston State and the Privateers are at Lamar. Northwestern State seeks its first Southland win tonight when the Demons visit U-I-W.

Last night, LSU earned its first win in the SEC . An 88-77 victory over a bad Missouri squad.

Michael Kim with 120 Sports is reporting that former LSU head coach Les Miles flew to the Twin Cities on Wednesday and met with University of Minnesota officials about their head coaching job. Miles has said he wants to resume his head coaching career at a Power 5 school.

High school football news…Rodney Guin is the new head coach at Calvary Baptist. Guin was the Cavaliers wide receivers coach this past season and before that he was the head coach of Haughton for 16 years, where he helped Dak Prescott get a scholarship at Mississippi State.

East Ascension four-star offensive tackle Adrian Ealy says he plans on signing at Oklahoma, instead of LSU.

Tomorrow at 10 AM, we’ll find out if LSU safety Jamal Adams will turn pro or return for his senior season. It’s expected he’ll enter the NFL draft.

And ESPN announces Chris Berman will no longer host NFL Countdown as he’s taking on a more limited role with the network.

According to the NFL, TV viewership fell an average of eight percent this season. On average, one-point-four million fewer people watched a game this year than in 2015.

High school football news…Rodney Guin is the new head coach at Calvary Baptist. Guin was the Cavaliers wide receivers coach this past season and before that he was the head coach of Haughton for 16 years, where he helped Dak Prescott get a scholarship at Mississippi State.

The LSU Tigers men’s basketball team started playing defense in the second half and it paid off as the Bayou Bengals beat Missouri 88-77. The Tigers trailed 40-35 at halftime, but limited Mizzou to just one three-pointer in the second half and Antonio Blakeney heated up offensively for the Tigers and he finished with 24 points.

Grambling State snapped a three-game losing streak with a 69-67 win over winless Alabama A-and-M. Nigel Riberio had 31 points to lead the way. Southern lost to Texas Southern 80-73.

Tonight…Louisiana Tech looks to improve to 2-0 in Conference USA play when they host UTEP. The Miners are just 2-and-11 on the year.

In the Southland…Southeastern, McNeese and UNO are all off to 2-0 starts in league action and they are on the court tonight. The Lions are at Houston Baptist, the Cowboys host Sam Houston State and the Privateers are at Lamar. Northwestern State seeks its first Southland win tonight when the Demons visit U-I-W.