The Johnny Jones era is officially over. LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced today the five year head coach had been relieved of his duties. Don Molino reports…

Voicer 2 (24) “…Molino”

Louisiana Tech’s run in the Conference USA Tournament ended today with a 93-77 loss to Marshall. Tech will now wait to see if they get invited to postseason tournament.

ULM was eliminated from the Sun Belt Tournament with a 63-51 loss to Texas State. The Warhawks finish 9-24.

The Cajuns will look to advance to the semifinals when they play Georgia State.

The Saints announced today several signings.  Agreeing to three-year deals were wide receiver Ted Ginn  Junior and linebacker AJ Klein. Former Detroit lion guard Larry Warford signed a 4-year contract. The black and gold also confirmed the re-signing of Nick Fairley. And that they have released Jairus Byrd.

LSu begins spring football tomorrow. The Tigers top pass rusher Arden key will not participate in spring practice as he’s away from the football team for undisclosed reasons. ESPN.com David Chang who covers the LSU Tigers says developing additional pass rushers will be a priority during spring football….

Cut 18 (14). “….deserve it”

And tonight LSU baseball begins a three games Series against Wichita State at Alex box Stadium. The Tigers have lost three of their last four.

Free Agency began Thursday in the NFL and the Saints have been making plenty of moves. New Orleans came to terms with two players from NFC South rival Carolina by inking Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and Linebacker A.J. Klein. The team also made a splash in landing one of the top available offensive linemen in Detroit’s Larry Warford. The Black and Gold retained Wide Receiver Willie Snead and agreed to a new deal with Defensive Lineman Nick Fairly. Plus, the Saints are still exploring a possible trade for Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks, according to sources. There are also reports that former Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o is visiting New Orleans today.

It’s no surprise after a dismal season, but sources say that LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones will be fired by Athletic Director Joe Alleva today. The fifth-year coach, who was a member of LSU’s Final Four team in 1981, is the fourth-winningest coach in school history. But this past season was the kicker as the Tigers ended 10-21 overall. Alleva will now look to hire his third men’s hoops coach since coming to LSU in 2008.

Spring football kicks off this weekend for the LSU Tigers. David Ching covers the Tigers for espn.com and says Danny Etling is the clear favorite to be the starter at QB, but it doesn’t hurt to make him fight for the job…:
Cut 16 (14) “for the job”
It’s the first spring practice for new head coach Ed Orgeron, who declared there will be an open competition at starting quarterback.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team move on to the semi-finals following a convincing 69-57 victory over UAB in the C-USA Tournament. The Bulldogs will face off against Marshall today at 2pm.

In college baseball, UNO opens SLC play facing Southeastern. LSU faces Wichita State in a three game series beginning today in Baton Rouge. ULM is at UAB. UL Lafayette hosts Saint Peters. Louisiana Tech is at Arkansas State. McNeese is at Central Arkansas. Nicholls is at Northwestern State.

The new NFL calendar year officially began at 3 this afternoon and moves are being made all over the place. The Saints have reportedly resigned defensive tackle Nick Fairley to a four year contract worth almost $30 million dollars. Fairley joined New Orleans last season and finished with 6 1/2 sacks and 22 quarterback hits.

The Saints have also added Guard Larry Warford, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and linebacker AJ Klein. There are also reports that former Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o is visiting the Saints tonight.

Still no news about Johnny Jones being released as LSU’s basketball coach. Sources say Athletic Director Joe Alleva and Jones haven’t even spoken nor scheduled a meeting since the loss in the SEC Tournament last night. This is what Jones had to say after the disastrous season ended….:
CUT 30 (09) “for us”
Jones is said to be going to Lake Charles to watch his son play in the high school boy’s basketball tournament Saturday.

Louisiana Tech begins play in the Conference USA Tournament this evening as one of the hottest teams in the league. The Bulldogs will play will play UAB. Bulldogs head coach Eric Konkol says for them to win this tournament, good play will have to start on the defensive end:
Cut 17 (15) “awful lot”
The last time the Dunkin Dogs faced UAB, Tech had to finish with four players because of a benches clearing shoving match.

The Pelicans new center, All-Star Demarcus Cousins, has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for cussing at fans during two different games, according to reports. It happened in the Pels victory over the Lakers on March 5th, then the next night in New Orleans loss to the Jazz. Cousins joined New Orleans last month in a huge trade with Sacramento.

Trade talks are reportedly heating up between the Saints and the Patriots. New England is reportedly considering trading cornerback Malcolm Butler to New Orleans for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. But sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network, Kristan Garic, is not optimistic Cooks will be dealt….
cut 19 (14) “…get done”
There is a report the Saints might sign free agent wide receiver Ted Ginn Junior and he could be a vertical threat that can replace Cooks.

There’s also a report the Saints will sign linebacker A-J Klein, who has played the last four seasons for the Panthers.

Meanwhile, there are reports former LSU Tiger Andrew Whitworth is set to leave Cincinnati. The three-time Pro Bowler has reportedly agreed to a three-year 15-million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The 35-year-old has played 11 seasons in Cincinnati.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back in Baton Rouge after it’s disastrous season ended last night with a 79-52 defeat in the SEC Tournament to Mississippi State. Embattled Head Coach Johnny Jones…
cut 30 (09) “…for us”
Jones is expected to be fired soon.

Louisiana Tech faces UAB in the Conference USA Tournament at 5:30. The Bulldogs have won eight of their last nine and head coach Eric Konkol believes his young team can win this tournament and receive an automatic berth into the Big Dance…
cut 16 (17) “…offense”
The last time the Dunkin Dogs faced UAB, Tech had to finish with four players because of a benches clearing shoving match.

One of the worst seasons in LSU basketball history came to an end last night as the Tigers were knocked out of the SEC Tournament with a 79-52 blowout defeat to Mississippi State. Head Coach Johnny Jones on what went wrong…
cut 30 (20) “…needed to”
It’s expected Jones will be fired, possibly as early as today, after failing to make the NCAA Tournament the last two years.

The Cajuns and Warhawks both advanced in the Sun Belt Tournament and they’ll play again on Friday. Louisiana Tech faces UAB in the Conference USA Tournament at 5:30 today. And the Pelicans lost to the Raptors 94-87.

NFL teams can begin signing unrestricted free agents this afternoon and for the first time in several years, the Saints have some salary cap space to work with. Sideline reporter on the Saints Radio Network, Kristan Garic, doesn’t anticipate the Black and Gold making a huge splash, but they will look to bolster the offensive line…
Cut 18 (20) “possibility”

For the second straight year, LSU has lost to McNeese State in baseball. The Cowboys defeated the Tigers five to four last night as Mitchell Rogers hit two home runs for the Pokes. LSU left 14 runners on base.

Taylor Schwaner hit a two-run home run as Southeastern Louisiana doubled up West Virgina 4-2 in 12 innings.

LSU Basketball Coach Johnny Jones is expected to be fired, once the Tigers are eliminated from the SEC Tournament. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the coaching seat started gettting warm for Jones, after he failed to lead LSU to the NCAA Tournament last year with Ben Simmons…
cut 10 (11) “…program’s reputation”
LSU faces Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament tonight. Jones remains optimistic the Tigers can make a run in this tourney…
cut 18 (19) “…working toward that”
Tip-off from Nashville is at 6 PM.

The Sun Belt Men’s basketball tournament begins today in New Orleans. At 5:00, UL Lafayette will take on Little Rock. The Cajuns already beat the Trojans twice this season and Coach Bob Marlin knows it won’t be easy to get a third win…
cut 19 (20) “….semifinals”
The Cajuns are the seventh seed in the tournament, but they are also on a six-game winning streak.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host Toronto. New Orleans has lost three straight to the Raptors.

In Lake Charles, LSU faces McNeese State. The Cowboys beat the Tigers last year 7-0.

And the Boys Class 3A semifinals are tonight in Lake Charles, Peabody versus Madison, Carroll takes on Wossman.

It’s expected LSU Coach Johnny Jones will be dismissed once the Tigers are eliminated from the SEC Tournament. LSU meets Mississippi State in the first game of the tourney tonight in Nashville. Jones is completing his fifth season as the Tigers head coach. Two years ago, he took LSU to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, LSU failed to make the Big Dance, despite having the eventual number one pick in the NBA draft on their team. This past season, LSU went 2-16 in the SEC. Jones on his time as head coach at LSU…
cut 17 (09) “…do that”
Tonight’s game tips off at 6 PM.

In NFL news…the Saints have reportedly signed wide receiver Brandon Coleman to a one-year deal worth 615-thousand dollars and have tendered a qualifying offer to Willie Snead. Snead has caught 2016 passes during his two seasons in New Orleans.

It was another great win for Louisiana Tech baseball last night. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the eighth to tie and then another run in the ninth to beat Mississippi State three to two. Sean Ullrich hit a two-run double in the eighth inning and Raphael Gladu scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Nate Harris earned his sixth save of the season.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team is in Lake Charles to face McNeese State. The Cowboys are 8-and-4 on the year, with all four losses coming against a nationaly ranked Arizona squad. Freshman right-hander Zack Hess will start for the Tigers.

Also today…Northwestern State is at Kansas State. The Demons lost to the Wildcats 16-4 yesterday, while the Warhawks are at Arkansas. ULM fell to the Razorbacks 12-3. Southeastern also hosts West Virginia tonight.

Back to basketball…Southern and Grambling State advanced to the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament. The struggling Pelicans host Toronto and the Class 3A semifinals are tonight in Lake Charles, Peabody versus Madison, Carroll takes on Wossman.

Tonight could be the final game for Johnny Jones as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Tiger-rag-dot-com reports Athletic Director Joe Alleva is expected to hand Jones his pink slip shortly after the Tigers are eliminated from the SEC Tournament. Jones commented on the fact that this past season, LSU went 2-16 in the SEC….:
Cut 17 (09) “do that”
LSU faces Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament tonight.

According to sources, the Saints have signed wide receiver Brandon Coleman to a one-year extension, and offered wide receiver Willie Snead a qualifying offer. Also reported is that the New England Patriots offered the No. 32 overall pick in round 1 for Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks last weekend. New Orleans declined but the Pats are reportedly still in the mix trying to come up with a deal to land Cooks.

The writing was on the wall with this one, but unfortunately the LSU baseball game against San Diego was rained out last night and won’t be made up. This means freshman Zack Hess will start for the Tigers tonight at McNeese State. UL-Lafayette and Southeastern also weren’t able to play their home games Tuesday.

Louisiana Tech was on the road and they rallied to beat Mississippi State 3-2. The Bulldogs scored two in the 8th to tie it and got the game winner in the 9th. They are now 12-1 on the season.

ULM fell 12-3 at Arkansas. It’s one of the Warhawks two-game midweek series against the Razorbacks.

The Sun Belt Men’s basketball tournament begins today in New Orleans. 12th seeded ULM faces Arkansas State this afternoon and then at 5:00 UL Lafayette will take on Little Rock. The Cajuns already beat the Trojans twice this season and Coach Bob Marlin believes his team is one of the best in the Sun Belt…:
Cut 20 (13) “Little Rock”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron said today Danny Etling will not be given the starting quarterback position, he’ll have to earn it. Orgeron says there will be an open compeition for starting Q-B during spring practice as Justin McMillan, Lindsey Scott and Lowell Narcisse will also battle for the job. But Orgeron also said that Etling has had an excellent offseason.

Spring football begins Saturday for the Tigers who are installing a new offense under first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Orgeron says Canada will be able to adapt to whoever is under center taking snaps….
cut 11 (11) “…known for”

The Ragin Cajuns begin spring football today as well. Jordan Davis will have the opportunity to lock down the role as starting Q-B with a good spring.

The weather doesn’t look great for baseball tonight at Alex Box Stadium. That’s where LSU is scheduled to host San Diego for the first ever meeting on the baseball diamond between the two schools. The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a walk-off loss to Texas Tech.

Rain has already washed out the scheduled game between UL Lafayette and Tulane. Also Southeastern Louisiana and West Virginia are a no go. Those two teams will try again tomorrow.

Tonight, 11-and-1 Louisiana Tech begins a four-game road trip at Mississippi State. Bulldogs Head Coach Lane Burroughs says it’s another opportunity for his team to make a statement…
cut 18 (13) “…of it”
Tech is ranked 24th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

And there’s a report that LSU will fire Tigers men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones shortly after they complete play in the SEC Tournament. LSU went 2-and-16 in the league and they face Mississippi State tomorrow night.

Weather permitting, the 7th ranked LSU Tigers will host San Diego at Alex Box Stadium. Freshman Zack Hess is the scheduled starter on the mound. Last week, he gave up two runs in 4.2 innings. Coach Paul Mainieri hopes to see a better game from Hess tonight…
cut 20 (07) “…bit longer”
Conference play starts next week for the Tigers and Mainieri continues to tinker with who will fill the role as designated hitter. Jordan Romero started all three games at DH in Houston and swung the bat well. But Mainieri says for the time being, he’ll continue to mix and match that spot in the line-up.

In other action, the 15th ranked Ragin Cajuns are at Tulane. UL Lafayette is coming off a weekend in which they took two of three from Southern Miss, while Tulane took two of three from West Virginia.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts West Virginia tonight. ULM begins a two-game series at Arkansas.

Louisiana Tech senior third baseman Chase Lunceford is the Conference USA hitter of the week. Lunceford hit .421 during five games last week and drove in at least one RBI in each game. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says the Mississippi native is more than just a great hitter…
cut 17 (18) “…to hit”
Tech is at Mississippi State tonight. Last year State ended the Bulldogs season with a four to nothing win in the Starkville Regional.

The SWAC Basketball Tournament starts tonight, Southern hosts Jackson State, while Grambling visits Prairie View in quarterfinal action.

In the NBA last night, the Pelicans shot a season-low 36–percent from the field and lost to Utah 88-83 last night. Anthony Davis had 20 points, 12 boards. The Pels are back home to host Toronto on Wednesday.