Will Wade is the new men’s basketball coach at LSU. He’s 34-years-old and the last two seasons he led VCU to the NCAA Tournament. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Wade will bring some much needed energy to the program…
cut 3 (11) “…get a kid”
Wade has been a head coach for four years. His first two years were at Chatanooga and the last two seasons were at VCU and he’s compiled a 67-percent winning percentage,

The Saints have reportedly signed linebacker Mati Te’o. He had a stellar career at Notre Dame, but he’s battled injuries in the NFL. The 26-year-old only played three games last season with the Chargers because of a torn Achilles.

Southern football coach Dawson Odums has received a contract extension that keeps him on the Jaguars sideline through 2019 season.

Sterlington football coach Jason Thompson has stepped down after leading the Panthers to the Class Two-A state championship. Thompson is leaving football to take an administrative role at the school.

Former LSU quarterback Brandon Harris is still looking for a school to play at next season. The University of Texas has emerged as a possible candidate. Head Coach Tom Herman has confirmed that they are recruiting Harris, but there’s no word when he’ll visit the school. North Carolina and Arizona are other potential landing spots for the former Tigers starting QB.

In college baseball today…the 15th ranked Cajuns host a red hot Houston team. The Cougars have won five in a row, while Louisiana went 2-and-2 last week. ULM hosts Grambling, McNeese State, which has won nine of its last ten is at Tulane and Louisiana Tech looks to snap a three-game losing streak as they visit Stephen F Austin.

And in basketball…LSU-Alexandria lost in the NAIA semifinals 65-63 to Life University and the Pelicans host Memphis tonight.

LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva announces former Virginia Commonwealth University head basketball coach Will Wade will lead the men’s hoops program. This is the third head coaching stop for the 34-year-old from Nashville. His winning percentage after four seasons as a head coach is .669, and the past two seasons he led VCU to the NCAA Tournament. Even though Wade is a Clemson grad, he’s reportedly called LSU his dream job.

The Saints are reportedly near making a deal with free-agent linebacker Mantei Te’o who could sign today, according to ESPN. The 26 year old is best known for being the victim of a “catfishing” hoax than for football; but has 222 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1.5 sacks in 38 career games, however does have trouble staying healthy.

In the NBA, the Pelicans return home to face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7pm. The Pels enter tonight’s contest 4 games behind the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference with 12 more to go.

College hoops, LSU-Alexandria took the court Monday in the semifinals of the NAIA Tournament, and saw their perfect season come to an end dropping a stunner to Life University by a score of 65-63. The top-seeded Generals, who finish 34-1, were hoping to become just the third unbeaten team in history to win an NAIA Tournament. Three time champion Life will try to become the second school to win four titles.

Today in college baseball, 15th-ranked UL-Lafayette will host Houston at 6 p.m. The Ragin’ Cajuns are coming off of their fourth series win of the year taking two of three games from Appalachian State. Tulane will then travel to the new M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park tomorrow. The Green Wave takes on McNeese State tonight in New Orleans.

ULM hosts regional foe Grambling tonight. The Warhawks are 1-2 in the Sun Belt. The Tigers lost all three games at Dallas Baptist over the weekend.

Louisiana Tech’s Diamond Dogs travel to face Stephen F. Austin tonight. Tech dropped three close games to Southern Miss over the weekend to start C-USA play.

On UNO’s first road swing of the season, The Privateers take on Missouri State today, then Arkansas tomorrow.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announces Senior defensive end Christian LaCouture has been awarded the NO. 18 jersey for the upcoming season.

The LSU Tigers completed a three-game sweep of Georgia with a seven to six win over the Bulldogs yesterday . Gred Deichmann drove in a pair of runs, Eric Walker was the winning pitcher and Caleb Gilbert earned his second save. The Tigers also got two good innings of relief from Matthew Beck. Coach Paul Mainieri likes what he saw from the Alexandria native…
cut 20 (17) “….we can count on”
Sophomore left fielder Antoine Duplantis was named SEC Player of the Week. The Lafayette native drove in 14 runs last week.

McNeese third baseman Matt Gallier is the Southland Hitter of the Week. The Lake Charles native hit three home runs in four games. Southeastern’s Corey Gaconi was the Southland pitcher of the week. The junior from New Orleans tossed a complete game in a victory over Lamar on Saturday.

The NFL’s competition committee will reportedly recommend using full-time refs for the 2017 season. The league will first work on making referees full-time, instead of working other jobs during the week.

ESPN’s Mike Triplett reports a Saints-Patriots trade for cornerback Malcolm Bulter is still in play, but the process of making what would be a complicated could still go either way, acccording to sources. Butler and the Saints have to first work out a long-term contract.

There’s also a report the Saints are close to signing former Notre Dame and San Diego Charger linebacker Manti Te’o, who has had trouble staying healthy during his NFL career.

LSU Football coach Ed Orgeron announces fifth year senior Christian LaCourture will wear number 18 for the Tigers.

KNOE in Monroe reports Sterlington High Football Coach Jason Thompson is stepping down as head coach of the Panthers to take an administrative role at the school. Thompson led the Panthers to the 2A state championship this past season.

In the D-1 baseball rankings, LSU has moved up two spots to number five after sweeping Georgia. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says anytime you can sweep a team in the SEC, you have to be happy…
cut 19 (19) “…scoring”
LSU scored 34 runs during the three game series. This week, LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday and visits Florida this weekend. The Gators dropped to 11th in the D-1 poll as they were swept by Auburn.

Speaking of getting swept, Louisiana Tech had a tough series against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles took all three games, winning yesterday’s series finale by the final score of eight to five.

McNeese is now 6-0 in the Southland after the Cowboys swept Stephen F Austin. Yesterday, the Cowboys won 11-1 as Ricky Ramirez drove in four runs. Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana are 5-1 in league play. The Colonels edged Houston Baptist three to two yesterday, while the Lions lost to Lamar 13-5.

In the Sun Belt, the Cajuns took two of three from Appalachian State, while ULM lost its series over Arkansas State.

Tiger Rag dot com reports Will Wade and LSU are in discussions as the Tigers search for a new men’s basketball coach. Wade is 34-years-old, a native of Nahsville. He’s led VCU to the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons and was 40-25 at Chattanooga.

In football…The Saints are reportedly talking with Chase Daniel about returning to the Black and Gold. Daniel spent his first four seasons in the NFL in New Orleans, before leaving for Kansas City in 2013. He was recently released by the Eagles.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team finished off a sweep of Georgia with 7-6 win on Sunday at Alex Box Stadium. Kramer Robertson drove in four runs and Greg Deichmann drove in two. Freshman pitcher Eric Walker struck out eight in six innings to improve his record to 3-0. Coach Paul Mainieri…:
Cut 18 (19) “our winning”
The Tigers are now 16-5.

In the Sun Belt, No. 14 UL-Lafayette defeated Appalachian State 4-3 at home on Sunday and the Cajuns claim the 4th straight series victory of the year.

ULM got off to a strong start but it wasn’t enough as Arkansas State handed the Warhawks an 8-3 loss.

In C-USA action, Louisiana Tech fell to Southern Miss yesterday 8-5 and the Golden Eagles went on to take the series in Ruston.

The McNeese Baeball team completed a three game Southland Conference sweep of Stephen F Austin on Sunday with an 11-1 run-rule victory.

Southeastern’s win streak stopped at 10 as the Lions fell to Lamar in a 13-5 comeback win for The Cardinals. SLU is now 14-5 on the year and 5-1 in conference action.

Tulane got the 8-7 win yesterday over Columbia and the Green Wave took the series.

UNO edged Abilene Christian 9-8 and the Privateers complete the conference sweep.

Nicholls State got by Houston Baptist, 3-2, to also complete a Southland sweep.

What a win for the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday. Anthony Davis put up a stellar 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Pels to the 123-109 win over Minnesota. DeMarcus Cousins added 15 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a one-game absence. New Orleans hosts the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow.

According to sources, the Saints are hosting backup quarterback Chase Daniel for a visit. New Orleans is looking for someone to compete for the backup job with Luke McCown.

What a night for Lafayette native Antoine Duplantis. The sophomore left fielder drove in seven runs on a single-game school record six hits as the 6th ranked LSU Tigers belted Georgia 22-9. Duplantis was 6-for-6 on the night. Senior shortstop Kramer Robertson was 5-for-5, including a school record-tying three doubles. It was not a good game for starting pitcher Alex Lange, who gave up eight runs in 4.1 innings. Austin Bain earned the win in relief.

Junior left-hander Gunner Leger was good again for the Ragin Cajuns last night as he allowed just two hits in seven innings as UL Lafayette blanked Appalachian State 3-0 in the Sun Belt Conference opener. Leger also had 10 strikeouts.

ULM and Arkansas State were rained out last night and they’ll play a doubleheader at two PM. Louisiana Tech started Conference USA play with a 5-2 loss to Southern Miss.

McNeese improved to 4-0 in league play with a 4-1 win over Stephen F Austin. Matt Gallier homered and Shane Selman drove in two runs as the Cowboys have won 11 straight home games.

Southeastern Louisiana won its 9th straight game overall as the Lions edged Lamar for six to five win. Jacob Seward’s squeeze bunt in the fifth inning brought home two runs.

Northwestern State gave up five runs in the fourth inning and lost to Oklahoma State six to three in Stillwater.

Cole Stapler tossed a complete game as Nicholls edged Houston Baptist two to one. UNO outscored Abilene Christian eight to six, Tulane crushed Columbia seven to zip. Dallas Baptist blanked Grambling 3-0.

In the WNIT last night, Louisiana Tech blew a 14-point lead and lost to SMU 75-70. LSU faces California in the NCAA Tournament tonight at 8 PM.

In the NBA…DeMarcus Cousins did not play last night because of left knee and rib soreness, but Solomon Hill stepped up and scored a career-high 30 points as the Pelicans knocked down the Rockets 128-112.

SEC play begins tonight for the LSU Baseball team as they host the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers are still searching for a regular designated hitter. Coach Paul Mainieri says he continues to wait for someone to step up and take that role on a permanent basis…
cut 18 (19) “….step up”
LSU will also be without closer Hunter Newman. He’s out indefinitely with a bad back.

Sun Belt play also begins tonight. The Cajuns host Appalachian State. Gunner Leger starts for UL Lafayette, he nearly threw a no-hitter last time out. ULM is at Arkansas State.

Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss to begin Conference USA play.

The big upset in the NCAA tournament took place in the east region as 11th seeded USC knocked off sixth seeded SMU 66-65. The Mustangs missed a shot at the buzzer to advance.

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters makes their first postseason appearance since 2011 when they visit SMU for a matchup in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Tech has never lost to SMU in women’s basketball.

Grambling pulled off a big upset in the WNIT last night. The Tigers defeated Ole Miss 78-75. Jazmine Torian had 23 points to lead Grambling, who is 19-14 on the year.

The Pelicans are home to take on Houston. The Rockets have won seven of the last eight meetings played between the two teams in the Big Easy.

In the NFL, Saints Head coach Sean Payton says he was impressed with restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler was at the team’s headquarters yesterday. Still no word on a possible deal with New England to send Butler to the Black and Gold.

According to sources, the Saints are expected to meet with Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara next week. Kamara averaged 5.8 yards per carry last season in Knoxville. He scored nine touchdowns and caught 40 passes out of the backfield.

Patriots restricted free agent Malcolm Butler met with the Saints Thursday. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Butler would give the Saints a quality starting cornerback to go along with Delvin Breaux….
cut 19 (14) “….for tomorrow”
But Detillier doesn’t see the Saints giving up their 11th pick in the first round for Butler.

In the NBA the Pelicans return home for a 7pm tipoff against the Houston Rockets tonight. New Orleans is now 5.5 games back of Denver for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they are just 4-and-7 since acquiring DeMarcus Cousins in a trade with Sacramento.

The LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight as they host Georgia, but the Tigers go into league action without its closer. Senior right hander Hunter Newman is out with a bad back and could miss at least a couple of weeks. Coach Paul Mainieri says other pitchers will have to step up…:
Cut 16 (13) “opportunities”
Alex Lange will start on the mound tonight for the Tigers and then Saturday it will be Jared Poche.

ULM will open up Sun Belt Conference action this weekend with a three-game series at Arkansas State. Josh Leone will likely start ont he mound for the Warhawks. Southeastern hosts Lamar for three games in Southland action. Lions fans are encouraged to wear green for St. Patrick’s Day. Louisiana Tech begins C-USA play hosting the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-5 win over UL-Lafayette. The 14th-ranked Ragin’ Cajuns Cajuns open conference action against Appalachian State. Louisiana has won all three of its series this year.

Patriots restricted free agent Malcolm Butler met with the Saints today. NFL analyst Mike Detillier believes New England and New Orleans will work out some sort of sign and trade deal to bring Butler to the Big Easy. Detillier says Butler would give the Saints a quality starting cornerback to go along with Delvin Breaux….
cut 19 (14) “….for tomorrow”
But Detillier doesn’t see the Saints giving up their 11th pick in the first round for Butler.

For the second time this season, UNO upset the sixth ranked LSU baseball team. This time it took 15 innings as the Privateers topped the Tigers seven to four last night.

Louisiana Tech and the Cajuns went 13 innings last night and the Bulldogs won six to five.

The Pelicans chances of making the playoffs continues to decline as New Orleans lost to Miami 120-112 last night. New Orleans is now 5.5 games back of Denver for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they are just 4-and-7 since acquiring DeMarcus Cousins in a trade with Sacramento. And it’s being reporting the Pelicans will sign Jordan Crawford to a two-year contract. He has shot 51-percent from the field since signing a ten-day contract with the Pels.

LSU starting cornerback Donte Jackson is not only participating in spring football, but he also plans to run for the Tigers track team this spring as well. Jackson ran the 60-meter dash during the indoor track season and finished 17th nationally

McNeese announced today that it’s hosting Southern in football in 2019. It will be the Jaguars first game in Cowboy Stadium and kick-off is scheduled for August 31st. McNeese played at Southern in 2004 and the Pokes won that game 35-18.

Restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler is in New Orleans today to meet with the Saints. Based on reports, the Black and Gold are interested in signing the 27-year-old, who intercepted four passes last season. The Saints have an estimated 12.5 million dollars left in salary cap space and they still have to sign their draft picks. NFL analyst Mike Detillier anticipates New Orleans will be creative, if they are able to sign Butler to a longterm deal….
cut 18 (16) “…big investment”

The Pelicans lost to the Miami Heat 120-112 last night. New Orleans is now 5.5 games back of Denver for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and there’s only 14 games left. Since DeMarcus Cousins arrives, the Pels are 4-7 and now 27-41 for the season.

It was a long game at Alex Box Stadium and for the second time this season UNO defeated LSU. The Privateers upset the Tigers seven to four in 15 innings. LSU had just ten hits on the night and committed to four errors. For the Privateers, Samuel Capielano was 4-for-8 with two runs scored and Dakota Dean had three hits and scored twice. It’s the first time since the 2008 season that UNO has defeated LSU twice in one season.

Louisiana Tech and the Ragin Cajuns when 13 innings, before the Bulldogs won six to five. Chaase Lunceford was the hero with a two-out walk-off single.

Tulane and Nicholls also went extras last night and it was the Green Wave who edged the Colonels three to two. Jerret DeHart’s home run in the tenth inning was the difference. Grant Witherspoon struck out the side in the 10th to earn his first save.

ULM stranded nine runners on base and the Warhawks were blanked by Jackson State two to nothing.

In college hoops…Indiana has fired head coach Tom Crean. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Crean should be in the mix for the LSU job.