LSU faces Maryland for the start of a three-game series tonight. Coach Paul Mainieri says this weekend he’ll continue to evaluate who should be the Tigers primary designated hitter and left fielder….
cut 18 (10) “…my liking”
Maryland comes into the series with a 1-2 record and they are favorites to win the Big 10 conference.

In other action this weekend…ULM hosts Southern Illinois. The Warhwks have lost three straight and have been outscored 55-8 during that span. The Cajuns are Sam Houston State. UL Lafayette is 1-2 and they’ve scored just two runs in those three games. Louisiana Tech, who is 4-0, is at Texas-Arlington.

Southeastern Louisiana visits 21st ranked Rice and McNeese continues its series with seventh ranked Arizona. The Cowboys lost to the Wildcats 9-3 yesterday.

Former Tigers Quarterback Brandon Harris says he’s been talking with SEC schools as he’s looking to finish his college career after deciding to transfer from LSU. But wouldn’t mention any specific schools. Harris, who appeared as a guest on ESPN radio in Baton Rouge, also did not want to finger point, when asked why didn’t work at LSU. He says maybe it was the style of offense they played…
cut 30 (18) “…the problem”
Harris says it was a dream to play at LSU and called Les Miles one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football.

Basketball….LSU looks to avoid a school record 15th straight loss at Georgia tomorrow, while Louisiana Tech and UNO look to keep their winning streaks going. The Privateers are at Northwestern, while the Bulldogs visit Rice.

It was not a good start to the Boogie Cousins era for the Pelicans. Despite 27 points and 14 rebounds from Cousins the Houston Rockets walloped New Orleans 129-99. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says they were out of sorts and they’ll try again tomorrow in Dallas.

The Pelicans have signed guard Jarrett Jack to a ten-day contract. The 33-year-old played for the Hornets in New Olreans during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

And newly acquired Pelicans Omri Casspi will miss the next four to six weeks with a broken thumb.

The 76ers announce former LSU standout Ben Simmons will not play at all this season because of a foot injury.

Last night, Louisiana Tech won its seventh straight game last nighta s the Bulldogs defeated North Texas 85-67. With the win, the Bulldogs secure a first round bye the Conference USA Tournament.

UNO won its fifth straight last night and as they easily defeated four-time defending Southland Conference champion Stepehn F Austin 84-61 last night. The Privateers are at Northwestern State tomorrow afternoon.

LSU opens a three-game series against Maryland at the Box tonight. Tigers are 3-1 on the year and Coach Paul Mainieri says his team is still a work in progress….
cut 17 (13) “…at bats”
Alex Lange will start on the mound for the tigers.

Elsewhere…Undefeated Louisiana Tech is at UT Arlington. Southeastern visits 21st ranked Rice. Northwestern State hosts Arkansas State, while the Cajuns are at Sam Houston State.

Last night, Hofstra defeated Nicholls ten to three and seventh ranked Arizona scored five runs in the fourth to beat McNeese 9-3.

Former LSU Quarterback Brandon Harris appeared on a couple of morning radio shows this morning and said he’s yet to decide where he’ll continue his college career, but he says he’s spoken to a couple of SEC schools. The former Parkway star has one-year of eligibilty left.

It was a game that was filled with hype, but new Pelican All-Star Demarcus cousins said magic between he and Anthony Davis wouldn’t happen overnight and he was right. The Pels fell in a rough game last night against Houston by a score of 129-99. Cousins put on a stellar performance though with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Davis added 29. Also newly acquired from the Kings was Omri Casspi, and he broke his right thumb in his first game with New Orleans. He scored 12 points in 24 minutes. The Pels visit Dallas tomorrow night. Thursday night the New Orleans NBA team announced they waived forward Terrence Jones and signed shooting guard Hollis Thompson to a 10-day contract.

In college hoops last night, Louisiana Tech downed North Texas by a score of 85-67 to extend the Bulldogs season-best winning streak to seven and secure a first round bye in the CUSA Tournament for the 4th year in a row.

Heartbreaker for McNeese hoops, Houston Baptist rallied from a 20-point deficit to stun the Cowboys 81-79. Nicholls picked up their first road conference win last night in a 77-68 decision at UIW.

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Maryland, who is a favorite to win the Big 10. The Terrapins are off to 1-2 start as they lost two games to Ball State. But Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says don’t be fooled by Maryland’s slow start…:
Cut 16 (20) “Cape Cod”
LSU is 3-1 on the season and Mainieri says the Tigers are still a work in progress.

Last night in the inaugural Mardi Gras Invitational: Beads and Baseball on the Bayou, Nicholls State fell to Hofstra early on and the Colonels ended up losing in Thibodaux, 10-3.

McNeese Baseball team hung in there but couldn’t get by No. 7 Arizona last night and the Wildcats picked up the 9-3 victory.

Southern pounded Wagner 11-4. It was the first win of the season for the Jaguars.

There’s a lot of anticipation heading into tonight’s game between the Pelicans and the Houston Rockets. It’s the debut of DeMarcus Cousins as he’ll match-up with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis to form one of the best front-courts in the NBA. Point guard Jrue Holiday is excited to see how it works…
cut 30 (18) “…guys are”
The NBA trade deadline came and went today with the Pelicans not making another trade. But there are reports New Orleans will waive Terrence Jones and possibly sign Jarrett Jack.

College hoops tonight…Louisiana Tech looks for its seventh straight win at North Texas. Meanwhile, McNeese hosts Houston Baptist and Nicholls is at Incarnate Word. The Colonels and Cowboys are at the bottom of the Southland standings.

Football-scoop-dot-com, reports former LSU receivers coach Tony Ball is expected to join Louisiana Tech’s staff. Ball was let go by LSU last year.

DeMarcus Cousins makes his debut in a Pelicans uniform tonight as New Orleans hosts the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center. Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday is just like the fans, he’s excited…
cut 30 (18) “…really on us”
The Pelicans enter play tonight two and a half games back of Denver for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Last night in college basketball….Marlain Veal matched his career-high with 28 points as Southeastern Louisiana clobbered Central Arkansas 87-70. Northwestern’s Zeek Woodley returned after missing the last two months with a broken wrist, but it wasn’t enough as the Demons lost to Lamar 88-68. Woodley had 16.

LSU junior right fielder Greg Deichmann hit one of the longest home runs at the new Alex Box Stadium last night. This two run-shot in the first inning went 486 feet…
cut 29 (18) “…the year”
That’s Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network. The Tigers went on to win eight to one over Hofstra, they’ll host Maryland for a three-game series, starting tomorrow night.

Raphael Gladu hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning that cleared the scoreboard last night helped the Bulldogs double up Little Rock four to two. Tech has won 14 straight home games, which leads the NCAA.

Tonight…Nicholls hosts Hofstra on CST and undefeated McNeese State begins a four-game series against 7th ranked Arizona.

In college baseball, Louisiana Tech’s home winning streak is now the longest in the NCAA at 14 games, following a 4-2 victory over Little Rock. The Bulldogs were down 3-1 until Raphael Gladu blasted the three run homer in the 8th that put Tech back in the lead.

No. 2 ranked LSU picked up an 8-1 victory over Hofstra last night at the Box. Freshman right-hander Zack Hess fired five innings, allowing just two hits, no runs and 6 strikeouts in his first collegiate start. The Tigers return to action Friday to face Maryland to begin a three game weekend series.

UNO baseball improved to 5-0 on the season following a 16-2 victory against Jackson State last night in New Orleans. The Privateers are now one win away from matching the best start in the team’s history.

Grambling fell to Oklahoma 11-2. With the loss, the Tigers even out at 2-2 on the season.

In national sports news headlines, the NCAA has delivered a major blow to Ole Miss and coach Hugh Freeze following a years-long investigation. After the university received a notice of allegations on Wednesday, they announced it has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban for the 2017 season, and Freeze charged with violating his responsibility legislation and that the school lacked institutional control. The NCAA alleges more than 20 violations and more coming.

LSU backup offensive lineman Andy Dodd has announced he will transfer from the Tigers. The senior was in line behind center Ethan Pocic.

Tonight in New Orleans Pelicans action we’ll get to see for the first time the different styles of All-Stars Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis hit the court tonight. The game against Houston will be played in the Smoothie King Center. Cousins called the duo himself, a little fire and a little ice. Tipoff tonight is 7pm.

In college hoops, Southeastern picked up a nice win over Central Arkansas 87-70. Northwestern State fell to Lamar 88-68.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio last night and he was asked about star defensive end Arden Key, who has taken a leave of absence from the football team for what has been called personal reasons. But Coach O believes Key has not played his last down in an LSU uniform…
cut 30 (06) “…to say”
But Orgeron would not say whether Key will participate in spring football which begins next month. You can hear the entire interview at Tigerrag.com.

After giving up 11 runs on 14 hits in a loss to UNO last night, the LSU baseball team is back at it again as they host Hofstra at 6:30 at Alex Box Stadium. Hard throwing right-hander Zach Hess will make his first career start for the Tigers. LSU’s bullpen was the problem last night as Hunter Kiel, Collin Strall and Russell Reynolds each gave up multiple runs.

Demarcus Cousins, aka Boogie, was officially introduced today as one of the newest members of the New Orleans Pelicans. The All-Star comes to The Big Easy from Sacramento and practiced with the Pels for the first time today. Cousins says he’s excited about the opportunity to hit the court with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis…:
cut 9 (10) “…is scary”
Cousins will suit up with the Pelicans for the first time tomorrow night against Houston in the Smoothie King Center.

Atlanta Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox tells Adrian Wojnarowski with the Vertical that he there are no plans to trade Paul Millsap and he says it’s the Hawks intention to re-sign the former Louisiana Tech star in the off-season.

The offseason can’t get here soon enough for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost their 14th straight last night, which ties a school record as they fell to Auburn 98-75.

All-Star Center DeMarcus Cousins practices with the Pelicans for the first time today. Head Coach Alvin Gentry on making sure Cousins and Anthony Davis can succeed together…
cut 30 (30) “….on the floor”
Cousins and his new teammates will host the Houston Rockets tomorrow night.

History was made in the Maravich Center last night as the LSU men’s basketball team lost its 14th straight game, which ties a school record. Auburn thumped LSU 98-75 in front of a sparse crowd. The last time LSU lost 14 straight, it was the 1966-67 season. That’s before Pete Maravich suited up.

Last night was a big night for the Southland Conference. UNO rallied back from a six to one deficit to beat fifth ranked LSU 11-to-8. The Tigers middle relievers got lit up. Hunter Kiel gave up four runs in less than inning, Collin Strall gave up another two runs and Russell Reynolds allowed four runs. UNO’s number eight hitter Owen Magee drove in four runs.

McNeese State scored a school-record 32 runs and had 29 hits in a 32-4 win over the ULM Warhawks. Ricky Ramirez set a new school record by scoring six runs as the Cowboys improved to 4-0.

Nicholls won its home opener as the Colonels defeated UL Lafayette three to one. Redshirt senior Mike Hanchar pitched seven standout innings and struck out nine in the victory.

And Southeastern Louisiana scored six runs in the seventh inning to beat Tulane eight to five in Hammond. Second baseman Carson Crites hit a three-run homer to snap a five-five-tie in the seventh inning.

Even though they got off to a competitive start letting the game tie four times late in the first half, the LSU men’s basketball team in the end dropped their 14th straight. It was to Auburn 98-75. That’s a tie for the longest losing streak in the program’s history which was last hit in back-to-back seasons, 1965-66 and 1966-67, half a century ago when Pistol Pete Maravich was a freshman and ineligible back then.

Also in men’s college hoops last night, Tulane dropped a heartbreaker to East Carolina 76-73. The Wave missed a trio of potential game-tying three-pointers in the final eight seconds.

In the NBA, the Pelicans’ newest members, Demarcus Cousins, aka Boogie, and Omri Casspi, who both come to The Big Easy from Sacramento, arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday. They will make their official introductions this morning during a 10:30am news conference, and suit up for the first time tomorrow night when the Rockets come to the Smoothie King Center.

It was an interesting night in college baseball throughout the state. LSU blew a 5 point lead and eventually ended up falling to UNO 11-8 in New Orleans. The Tigers are 3-1 and the Privateers improve to 4-0 on the year. Today LSU will host Hofstra at the Box. UNO hosts Jackson State.

And how bout this one. The McNeese Baseball team shattered the school’s record books with a 32-4 win over ULM in Monroe. It was the home opener for the Warhawks. The Cowboys improve to 4-0 will head to Arizona for a four game series starting tomorrow. The Warhawks continue their host this weekend with a weekend series against Southern Illinois.

SLU exploded for six runs in the 7th inning on Tuesday, rallying to defeat Tulane 8-5 in Hammond.

Nicholls took advantage of some poor pitching by UL-Lafayette in the 7th last night as the Colonels got by the Ragin’ Cajuns 3-1 in Thibodaux.

On the diamond today also is Grambling who plays Oklahoma this afternoon at 3.

New Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins arrived in New Orleans and is expected to begin practicing with his new team tomorrow. Jake Madison, who writes for the blog Bourbon Street Shots and host of Locked On Pelicans podcast, says the trade means Anthony Davis can move back to power forward, a position he’s more comfortable with….
cut 18 (23) “….that he has”
Cousins will be introduced to the media tomorrow morning at 10:30. The new look Pelicans will host Houston on Thursday night.

Tonight, LSU hosts Auburn. The Tigers are trying to avoid a school record tying 14th straight loss.

A pair of undefeated baseball teams meet tonight at Maestri Field in New Orleans as the LSU Tigers visit UNO. LSU right fielder Greg Deichmann is off to a hot start, he slugged two home runs during the openeing weekend, but he likes how freshmen Josh Smith and Jake Slaughter are swinging the bats…
cut 19 (18) “…this weekend”
The Privateers are also 3-0 under second-year head coach Blake Dean, who is a former LSU standout.

In other action…the Cajuns are at Nicholls. Southeastern hosts Tulane and tonight is the home opener for ULM, who will face McNeese. Louisiana Tech’s home game against Little Rock has been pushed back until tomorrow because of weather conditions.