According to sources, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is getting closer to making key hires to his staff. Emerging as the top targets for the coaching vacancies are California running backs coach Tommie Robinson, and Louisiana Tech running backs coach Mickey Johnson.

In the NBA, the Pelicans held off Phoenix 111-106 last night in the Smoothie King Center. Anthony Davis had a 34-point performance in the win over the suns and Jrue Holiday added 30. New Orleans hosts Utah tomorrow night.

The NBA trade deadline is in two weeks, but the rumors are already swirling. Sources say the Pels are in active talks about the possible acquisition of 76ers center Jahlil Okafor in exchange for the 2018 first round pick and New Orleans center Alexis Ajinca.

The Sporting News is reporting the Saints are thinking about a return to Mississippi for training camp. The Black and Gold will not return to the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and a return to Millsaps College in Jackson is possible. The team trained at Millsaps from 2006 to 2008.

College hoops, UL-Lafayette dropped a heart breaker last night to Georgia Southern, 74-70 in Sun Belt Conference action. The loss drops the Cajuns to 4-7 in the SBC. ULM never overcame a hot start by Georgia State as the host Panthers came away with a 69-55 victory in an SBC game.

In the SWAC, Grambling fell to Alcorn State 75-65 as the Braves extend their conference-best winning streak to six. Grambling is 5-6 in conference. Southern beat Jackson State 88-75. Four different Jaguars scored in double figures as host Southern shot 51 percent from the field.

Tonight a struggling LSU basketball team faces another tough test against No. 15 Kentucky. The Tigers have only won 1 conference game, while the Wildcats are 8-2 in the SEC. Tipoff tonight in Lexington is 6pm.

LHSAA executive Director Eddie Bonine has reportedly said that he’s one of four finalists for the same job at the Florida High School Athletic Association. Interviews are slated for March 12th in Gainesville.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell presented Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady with his fourth Super Bowl mvp trophy today. Brady led the Patriots back from a 25-point deficit to beat Atlanta 34-28. Brady’s heroics overshadowed the play of the Falcons defense through the first three quarters of that game. Former LSU Tiger Deion Jones had nine total tackles, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Also former Southeastern Louisiana standout Robert Alford had an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Sporting News is reporting the Saints are thinking about a return to Mississippi for training camp. The Black and Gold will not return to the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and a return to Millsaps College in Jackson is possible. The team trained at Millsaps from 2006 to 2008.

And in case you are worndering, boys in Las Vegas are giving the Saints 50-to-1 odds to win the Super Bowl next season.

The Baton Rouge Advocate is reporting LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron is close to filling the two vacancies on his staff. Apparently, Orgeron would like to hire Southern Cal running backs coach Tommie Robinson and Louisiana Tech running backs coach Mickey Joseph to replace fired wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig and former running backs coach Jabbar Juluke.

The Pelicans, who have lost four in a row, return to the Smoothie King Center after a three-game road trip to host the Phoenix Suns tonight. There are reports New Orleans is getting close to making a trade with the 76ers. According to sources, New Orleans would receive forward-center Jahlil Okafor in exchange for Alex Ajinca and a future first rounder. Okafor was a first round selection by Philadelphia in 2015 and this year in 34 games is averaging 11 points and nearly five rebrounds a game.

In college hoops action….ULM is at Georgia State, while UL Lafayette visits Georgia Southern. Southern, G-S-U and Arkansas State are in a three-way tie for first place in the Sun Belt.

Grambling is at Alcorn, while Southern hosts Jackson State. The Jags are in third place in the SWAC, while Grambling is in his fourth.

Saints fans are smiling today after watching their bitter rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, cough up a 25 point lead in the Super Bowl and lose to the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime. It looked good for the Dirty Birds when Southeastern Louisiana’s Robert Alford returned this Tom Brady interception 82 yards for a touchdown. Here’s the call on Fox by Joe Buck…
cut 30 (16) “…pick six”
But Brady would have the last laugh as he threw for 466 yards and two touchdowns. It’s the fifth Super Bowl trophy for Brady and his fourth Super Bowl MVP award.

Tonight in the NBA, the Pelicans are back home after a tough road trip to host the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans has lost four in a row and they have 19 wins on the season, while the Suns have 16.

The man accussed of fatally shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight plead not guility to second-degree murder today. The defense team for Ronald Gasser say McKnight tried to open Gasser’s car door and their client feared for his left during an apparent road rage incident in Jefferson Parish last December. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says under Louisiana law, people do have extra protections in their vehicles, but the case won’t be that cut and dry…
cut 14 (11) “…the evidence”
Gasser remains in the Jefferson Parish jail in lieu of a 750-thousand dollar bond. His next court hearing is February 16th.

In college football…McNeese State Head Coach Lance Guidry has announced he’ll also handle the role as the Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2017.

College hoops…ULM and UL Lafayette are in the Peach State. The Warhawks are at Georgia State, while the Cajuns visit Georgia Southern. Southern, G-S-U and Arkansas State are in a three-way tie for first place in the Sun Belt.

It was certainly a game for the ages. The New England Patriots pulled off the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history; and sailed to a 34-28 win over Atlanta in overtime — overcoming a 25 point deficit. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady now has five big rings; after the first overtime Super Bowl ever. Two Louisiana boys have nothing to be ashamed of for their performance in the game. Former Southeastern player Robert Alford of the Atlanta Falcons had a pick 6 for a touchdown which spurred the Dirty Birds to a 21-3 halftime lead. Also for Atlanta, Former LSU and Jesuit linebacker Deion Jones finished with nine tackles, a forced fumble and pass breakup. But it wasn’t enough, and the Falcons remain without a Super Bowl title in franchise history.

For the 5th time in as many weeks, Tiger Stadium was broken into and five juveniles were cited for unauthorized entry into a place of business and released after the Saturday afternoon incident.

Arraignment for the man accused of killing former-NFL player Joe McKnight is today. Legal analyst Chick Foret says 55-year-old Ronald Gasser will enter a plea of not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. The suspect’s lawyers say their client was acting in self defense, but Foret says there are still a lot of unanswered questions about what happened that day in Terrytown…:
Cut 15 (11) “defense team”
Gasser’s attorneys assert that McKnight tried to open Gasser’s car door, and their client feared for his life.

In the NBA, the Pelicans return to action tonight in the Smoothie King Center to face the Phoenix Suns. The Pels fell to the Wizards on Saturday 105-91.

In college hoops, LSU’s losing streak reached 9 on Saturday as the Tigers fell in ugly fashion to Texas A&M, 85-73. LSU will face Kentucky tomorrow on the road.

Today UL-Lafayette takes on Georgia Southern. ULM is at Georgia State. Grambling is at Alcorn State.

A court settlement has been reached between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his estranged heirs over removing the shares of the pro teams from trusts that were set up for Benson’s daughter and her two children. Details of the settlement have not been made public. Benson released a statement that says he’s pleased that this ordeal his behind them.

New Orleans has hosted 10 Super Bowls, but when will they get a chance to host another one. Jay Cicero, president of the greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the the last two times they’ve bid to host the huge sporting event, they lost to cities who have a new or renovated stadiums…
cut 10 (11) “…facility”
Cicero says they hope to learn in May that New Orleans will have a chance to bid for the Super Bowl in 2023.

Saturday is a big day for former Saints kicker Morten Anderson and former LSU standouts Alan Faneca and Kevin Mawae. The trio is among 15 finalists who could be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. NFL analyst Mike Detillier believes former San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is the lone lock to make the hall this year…
cut 18 (23) “…this year”
Faneca is a six-time first-team All-Pro selection and Andersen is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer.

Two defense attorneys Ronald Gasser have told the Associated Press that the fatal shooting of former NFL running back Joe McKnight was in self-defense. Gasser has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting of McKnight.

Three players with ties to Louisiana will find out tomorrow whether they’ll be inducted into the Pro Fooball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017. Many believe former Saints kicker Morten Andersen has a good shot of getting in this year. Former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Alan Faneca are also finalists. Both had long careers as NFL offensive linemen. NFL analyst Mike Detillier believes Faneca has a better chance to get into the Hall, than Mawae….
cut 17 (09) “….the Steelers”
Faneca is a six-time firs-team All-Pro selection and helped Pittsburgh win a Super Bowl in 2006.

Saints head coach Sean Payton appeared on Good Morning Football on the NFL Network and said New Orleans has to improve on defense. Payton added that they have to get a couple of pressure players in the draft and he said the draft is strong at safety, cornerback and running back.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron has a couple of openings on his staff. That’s because receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Dameyune Craig has been relieved of his duties and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been reassigned within the athletic department.

In college basketball last night…Jacobi Boykins returned to the floor after a one-game suspension and hit five three-pointers to end Louisiana Tech’s two-game losing streak with a 76-67 win over Western Kentucky. Boykins had 25 points, 19 in the first half. He was suspended one-game for his role in the bench-clearing fight against UAB.

Also last night, McNeese State snapped a three-game losing streak with an 87-79 victory over Incarnate Word and Northwestern State made 13 three-pointers last night but the Demons still lost to Central Arkansas 107-97.

Sam Houston State has been picked to win the Southland Conference in baseball by the league’s coaches. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish second, while McNeese State is expected to finish in fourth place.

Three players who have strong ties to Louisiana will find out Saturday night if they’ve been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is former Saints kicker Morten Andersen’s best chance to get in, according to NFL analyst Mike Detillier…:
Cut 16 (18) “football player”
Ex-LSU standouts Alan Faneca (FAN-ee-kuh) and Kevin Mawae (Muh-why) are also among the 15 finalists for the Class of 2017.

It’s reported that LSU will owe about $1 million dollars to the football coaches that were released from the team by Coach Ed Orgeron, one day after signing day. Coach O fired receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Dameyune Craig, and reassigned running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. LSU says it will begin an immediate search for their replacements.

A grand jury has indicted the man accused of fatally shooting former-NFL star Joe McKnight on a charge of second-degree murder. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Pelicans star Anthony Davis will take part in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on All Star Weekend in New Orleans.

In college hoops last night, Louisiana Tech had a nice home win over WKU, 76-67. The win improves the Bulldogs to 5-5 in C-USA.

In the Southland, Northwestern State dropped its second straight in a high scoring contest to Central Arkansas, 107-97.

McNeese beat Incarnate Word 87-79.

One day after national signing day, LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron has made changes to his coaching staff. Wide receiver’s coach Dameyune Craig has been fired, while running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been re-assigned to a position within the athletic department. Both coaches have more than a year left on their contracts and LSU will owe them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the football recruiting experts, LSU’s 2017 class is the seventh best in the nation. The Tigers signed 23 players, most of the new additions are on the defensive side of the football. Coach Ed Orgeron says the Tigers did well along I-10 by getting Plaquemine defensive back Todd Harris and a defensive lineman from Lafayette
Cut 16 (17) “Todd Harris”
But LSU also missed out on a lot of big name in-state talent like Amite wide receiver Devonta Smith, Neville defensive tackle Phildarian Mathis and Southern Lab linebacker Christoper Allen. All three signed with Alabama.

The man accused of fatally shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight has been indicted for second-degree murder. That’s according to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s office. 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was originally charged with manslaughter, but the D-A’s office says they’ve been able to develop additional evidence regarding the case. Gasser’s bond has been increased to 750-thousand dollars.

In college basketball tonight…after a tough road trip, Louisiana Tech is back home to host Western Kentucky. The Dunkin Dogs are in a three-way tie for third place in Conference USA after losing two games last week.

In the Southland…Northwestern State concludes a four-game road trip by visiting Central Arkansas. The Demons are 2-1 during this trip. McNeese is also on the road. The Cowboys are at Incarnate Word and McNeese is looking to snap a three-game losing streak.

And each school in the SEC will receive 40-million dollars as a result of revenues generated by the league during the 2015-16 athletic year.

LSU’s 2017 football recruiting class features two quarterbacks. Lowell Narcisse of St. James and Myles Brennan from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Tigers Head Coach Ed Orgeron has a lot of confidence new offensive coordinator Matt Canada can develop both of them
cut 17 (16) “…here at LSU”
If no one transfers, LSU will have seven quarterbacks on their roster for the start of fall camp.

Two of the better quarterbacks in the state have signed at UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech. The Cajuns inked Levi Lewis from Scotlandville. But there’s a possibility Lewis could be moved to wide receiver. Elijah Walker of Amite is now a Bulldog. Walker helped the Warriors reach the Class 3A title game.

According to Rivals-dot-com’s rankings, ULM had the best the recruiting class in the Sun Belt. The Warhawks signed 22 players, including four three-star prospects. Coach Matt Viator is pleased with the players he signed…
cut 30 *(16) “…kids here”
One of the three-star prospects is former Neville standout Corey Straughter.

In basketball…LSU lost its eighth straight as they fell to South Carolina 88-63. UNO fell out of first place in the Southland as the Privateers lost in overtime to Abilene Christian 70-69. Southeastern Louisiana ended a two-game losing streak with an easy 72-44 victory over Nicholls.

And in the NBA, the Pelicans lost their third striaght as Detroit downed New Orleans 118-98.

Head Coach Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class at LSU is ranked in the top 10. Jeff Palermo has thoughts from Coach “O”…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The ULM football program learned Wednesday night that they ended signing day with the highest rated class in the Sun Belt Conference, according to Rivals.com. The Warhawks received a total of 23 commitments as part of their 2017 class, joining the seven mid-year transfers who joined the program in January.

In other signing day news around the state, UL-Lafayette added 17 recruits to its 2017 class. The Southeastern Lions signed 12 recruits to their 2017 class Wednesday. Louisiana Tech signed 13 on Wednesday, making a total of 20 new Bulldogs for the team’s 2017 class.

UL-Lafayette has hired Bryan Maggard as its new athletic director, school officials announced on Wednesday.

According to sources, the New Orleans Saints will not return to The Green Briar Resort in West Virginia for a full training camp.

In college hoops, it was yet another blowout in the PMAC last night as LSU lost its 8th in a row to NO. 19 South Carolina 88-63. It started ugly and never got better. The Tigers were down 50-32 at halftime.

Southeastern Louisiana clobbered Nicholls State, 72-44 in Hammond. And UNO barely fell to Abilene Christian 70-69 in overtime.

In the NBA, the Pelicans dropped their third straight as the Pistons overcame an 8 point third quarter deficit to come back and beat New Orleans 118-98.