For the second time this season, LSU and Mississippi State will take on each other with a lot on the line. The Tigers swept the Bulldogs in a three-game series to finish off the regular season. During the weekend in Starkville, the Tigers clinched an SEC West championship and an SEC Title. Coach Paul Mainieri says what happened in May shouldn’t impact what happens this weekend….
Cut 18 (18) “trophy case”
1998 was the only other time that these two teams have met in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs in the College World Series 10 to 8 that year. Game one of the Super Regional series is Saturday at 8 PM.

Some shocking news in college football today, at the age of 56, Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops announced his retirment effectively and 33-year-old offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley will take over. Stoops says health is not the reason he’s stepping down. He just believes the timing was right for Riley to take over the program.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron says outside linebacker Arden Key has returned to the football program, but he’s not yet healthy after undergoing surgery on his shoulder last week. Coach Ed Orgeron says it’s too early to tell if Key will be ready for fall camp.

Game times have been set for three more Louisiana Tech football games this season. Tech’s conference opener at Western Kentucky will kickoff at 6 PM on September 16th. The Bulldogs-Southern Miss game in Ruston will kick-off at 6 PM on October 21st and Tech’s home contest versus Lane Kiffin and Florida Atlantic on November 11th will begin at 2:30 PM.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri says there is no ill will towards Mississippi State and Andy Cannizaro. Cannizaro was the Tigers hitting coach the last two seasons, but bolted for the Bulldogs head coaching job last November….
cut 17 (10) “…Mississippi State”
LSU and Mississippi State begin their Super Regional Series on Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium. First baseman Nick Coomes status for the series remains a question mark. The junior injured his thumb in last weekend’s Regional and missed two games.

Elsewhere…South Carolina baseball coach Chad Holbrook has resigned after the Gamecocks failed to make the NCAA Tournament this past season with a record of 35-25. 38-year-old Tony Vitello (VIE-tell-oh) is the new head coach at Tennessee. The St. Louis native has spent the past four seasons as the top assistant at Arkansas.

Oklahoma is once again champions in college softball. The Sooners completed a sweep of the Florida Gators to claim their second straight Women’s College World Series title.

One of the best rivalries in college baseball writes an exciting new chapter this weekend as LSU meets Mississippi State in the Super Regionals. There’s added intrigue, because former Tigers hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Andy Cannizaro is the head coach of the Bulldogs. But LSU skipper Paul Mainieri says all eyes are on Omaha:
Cut 16 (15) “to win”
Members of the team showed reporters Tuesday the wallpaper on their phones which feature pictures of the Coastal Carolina team dog piling at The Box during of sweep of the Tigers in the Super Regionals last year. Shortstop Kramer Robertson says those losses are big motivator in getting to Omaha this year…:
Cut 19 (12) “happen again”

After a disappointing showing from its offense last season, New Orleans Pelicans announced Tuesday that a new assistant to Alvin Gentry has joined the staff. Chris Finch helped the Nuggets garner the league’s best offensive rating after the All-Star break.

The LSU football team has picked up a a huge commitment from 2019 receiver Kenyon Jackson of Georgia, who tweeted the news himself. Though not yet ranked by major recruiting sites, Jackson already had offers from major schools like Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says Arden Key’s health is now the obstacle that the All-American is back with the team. Coach O said Key had shoulder surgery last week, and his status for the summer and preseason camp isn’t clear.

ESPN reports Cincinnati Bengals rookie Joe Mixon plans to work out with Saints running back Adrian Peterson in Houston this summer. The two both played their college ball at Oklahoma, and became acquainted while Mixon was in school.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, a Sulpher native, told the Talk of Fame Sports Network that he plans to pursue a PhD in psychology. He already has a master’s in workforce leadership from Mississippi State.

It will be LSU versus Mississippi State in the Super Regionals this weekend in Baton Rouge. The winner advances to the College World Series. Just over two weeks ago, the Tigers swept the Bulldogs in the final regular season series of the year. Coach Paul Mainieri does not believe those games will have an impact on what will happen in the Super Regionals….
cut 30 (21) “…this weekend”
The Super Regional will begin on Saturday at 8 PM in Alex Box Stadium. Game Two is set for 8 PM on Sunday and Game 3 will be played on Monday at a to be determined time. Mainieri said he is not ready to discuss his pitching plans.

The Pelicans have announced the hiring of Chris Finch. He was previously an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets last season. And before that, he spent five seasons with the Houston Rockets coaching staff. Finch will have a big role in trying to help the Pelicans offense flourish with two big men who demand the ball in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

It will be LSU versus Mississippi State in the Super Regionals and it will get underway Saturday night at 8 PM. The Bulldogs advanced out of the Hattiesburg Regional by beating Southern Miss twice yesterday. The Tigers and Bulldogs met in the final weekend of the regular season in Starkville and LSU swept them to win a share of the SEC Regular season championship.

So once again the series starts at 8 PM on Saturday. Game two is at eight PM on Sunday and if game three is neeeded, it would be played sometime on Monday.

There are six teams from the SEC in the Super Regionals. Florida, who got past Bethune Cookman yesterday, Texas A-and-M, who won the Houston Regional. Vanderbilt won the Clemson Regional and Kentucky defeated North Carolina State twice to advance.

The Wildcats will face Louisville, Vandy is at Oregon State, the Aggies will host Davidson and Florida hosts Wake Forest.

We might found out today how Coach Paul Mainieri will set up his starting rotation for the Super Regionals. LSU has three established starters and Mainieri also believes the Tigers bullpen is just as good as the 2009 national championship team….
cut 18 (25) “…have been”

LSU basketball has signed four-star prospect Tremont Waters, who is considered on the top point guards in the country and he was one of the top uncommitted players left for the 2017 signee class. According to Scout, LSU’s 1st recruiting class with Will Wade at the helm is the 14th best in the country.

LSU finally knows its opponent for this weekend’s Baton Rouge Super Regional. Mississippi State beat host Southern Miss twice Monday to take the Hattiesburg Regional and set up a best-of-three playoff against The Tigers this weekend with a trip to Omaha on the line. LSU handled the Bulldogs in the regular-series meeting, sweeping three games in Starkville. Series dates and start times will be announced later this morning.

Tiger Freshman pitcher Eric Walker has been outstanding in his last two starts. In the two games, he allowed just one run. Coach Paul Mainieri says Walker has a great feel for his pitches…:
cut 17 (18) “our staff”

Louisiana Tech Junior catcher Brent Diaz was named one of three finalists for the Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com.

McNeese sophomore left fielder Shane Selman has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 Gregg Olson Award presented by Toolshed Sports. The award honors college baseball’s breakout player of the year.

LSU Basketball Coach Will wade landed a key player Monday on the first day of summer school. According to Scout.com Tremont Waters signed with The Tigers after visiting the school last week. Waters is a four star prospect who is 41st overall and 10th among point guards in the composite rankings for the Class of 2017.

The Saints made a couple of moves Monday, according to the NFL transaction wire. New Orleans signed wide receiver Dan Arnold played college ball at Wisconsin-Platteville and racked up over 1,000 yards in 2016.

North DeSoto’s EC Delafield was named the 2016-17 Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year. Delafield is a Northwestern State softball signee.

After beating Rice 5 to nothing last night, LSU will find out later today who they’ll play in the Super Regionals. It will be either Mississippi State or Southern Miss. Last year, LSU was swept by Coastal Carolina in the Super Regionals. Tigers shortstop Kramer Robertson says they understand the task at hand….
cut 18 (22) “…for this weekend”
As we mentioned earlier, LSU will play the winner in the Hattiesberg Regional. Rain continues to play havoc in that regional. Southern Miss and Mississippi State were scheduled to play at 1 PM today, but rainfall continues to keep the two teams off the field. State has to beat Southern Miss twice to advance, Golden Eagles need just one victory.

Outside linebacker Arden Key has returned to the LSU football program. Key took a leave of absence before spring football started. While he was away, Head Coach Ed Orgeron says the potential first round draft pick had successful shoulder surgery.

While Key returns, offensive lineman Willie Allen is transferring. The former John Curtis standout is the third o-lineman to leave the program since Orgeron took over as head coach.

The nation’s top uncommitted basketball player signs with LSU. Tremont Waters is a four-star point guard from Connecticut. He was once committed to Georgetown and recently visited Baton Rouge to meet with new head oach Will Wade and his staff. According to 24-7 sports, Waters signee gives LSU the 16th best recruiting class in the country for 2017.

North DeSoto’s EC Delafield has been named the Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year. Delafield led the Lady Griffins to a 32-3 record and a third straight Class 4A championship. She was 28-3 in the circle with a 0.67 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 177 innings pitched.

The LSU Baseball team is Super Regional bound after defeating Rice 5-0 last night to win the Baton Rouge Regional. Freshman pitcher Eric Walker struck out eight and scattered eight hits…
cut 16 (13) “….next weekend”
LSU has won 14 straight and shortstop Kramer Robertson believes they can keep playing at a high level until they reach their ultimate goal…
cut 17 (15) “….it together”
LSU will host either Southern Miss or Mississippi State in the Super Regionals this weekend.

LSU outside linebacker Arden Key has returned to the team. That’s according to head coach Ed Orgeron, who also said Key recently underwent successful houlder surgery. Key left the team for personal reasons prior to the start of spring football. He set the single-season record for sacks in a season in LSU history with 12 last season.

LSU offensive lineman Willie Allen has announced he’s transferring. Allen was in the 2016 recruiting class and signed with LSU out of John Curtis High School. He chose the Tigers over TCU, Ole Miss and Auburn.

Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley has been away from O-T-A’s and now we know why. Fairley is reportedly being tested for a possible heart condition and the situation is career threatening. Fairley’s agent, Brian Overstreet. says his client is doing well and just doing his own thing. Fairley signed a four-year, 28-million dollar deal with the Saints this offseason.

Freshman pitcher Eric Walker pitches a masterful game as the LSU Tigers beat Rice 5-0 to advance to the Super Regionals. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Rice was able to avoid elimination to play in the championship round against the Tigers following a 9-5 victory over Southeastern Louisiana Sunday. It was the third NCAA Regional appearance in the past four years for the Lions who finish the 2017 season with a 37-22 overall record.

LSU outside linebacker Arden Key will be back at practice today after undergoing shoulder surgery, according to coach Ed Orgeron. Key enters his third season as a starter for the Tigers in 2017, and in 23 career games has registered 97 tackles 21 for a loss and 17 sacks.

A third offensive lineman is transferring from the LSU program. Former John Curtis stand-out Willie Allen tweeted Sunday night that he plans to transfer.

Fox Sports is reporting that Saints Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley has a career threatening heart condition. He hasn’t been around for the past week and there is also word that he has not been in touch with any teammates with whom he normally communicates.

The LSU softball team was eliminated from the Women’s College World Series Saturday after falling to Oregon 4-1. It was the third straight appearance for the Tigers in the WCWS, and the third time in a row they go home without the big trophy.

In the NBA finals, the Warriors took a 2-0 lead following a 132-113 victory in game 2 last night over the Cavs.

The LSU Tigers committed five errors, but still beat Texas southern 15-7. The Bayou Bengals got huge production from bottom of their batting order. Michael Papierski and Zach Watson each drove in four runs. Watson hit two home runs and Papierski also went yard. But in the postgame, everyone wanted to know about the Tigers sloppy play in the field. Here’s what Papierski had to say….
cut 30 (19) “…ready to go tomorrow”
LSU will play second-seeded Southeastern Louisiana tonight at 7 PM after the Lions doubled up Rice 12 to 6. The Owls committed seven errors in this one. Taylor Schwaner was solid at the plate for S-L-U as he went 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored.

LSU has been sent to the elimination round at the Women’s College World Series as Florida blanked the Tigers seven to nothing in Oklahoma City alst night. Carley Hoover suffered the loss as she gave up two earned runs in four innings. Kelly Barnhill improved to 26-and-3 with a two hitter. LSU will play either Oregon or Baylor tonight at 8:30. The Tigers will need three wins to get to the best of three championship series.

The Saints have announced the signing of six of their seven draft picks. The 32nd overall pick, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, remains the lone player unsigned.

Saints and Pelcians owner Tom Benson is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement to purchase Dixie Brewing Company.

There was no movement at the spring business meetings in Sandestin, Florida, to allow beer sales in public areas at SEC campus venues. Commissioner Greg Sankey says it’s a conversation topic going forward.