The LHSAA principals voted against a plan that would reduce the number of championship games in the non-select—select playoffs. It was overwhelming defeated. It was proposed by Iowa principal Mike Oakley who says he was trying to reduce the number of teams who receive a bye and create a more spirited postseason in the sports impacted by the split…
cut 17 (14) “…in January”

In football recruiting, LSU has received a commitment from four-star linebacker Jacob Phillips from Nahsville. He de-committed from Oklahoma. And Jennings running back Travis Etienne says he’ll sign with Clemson and play in the real Death Valley.

Tonight in the NBA…Anthony Davis says he expects to play against the San Antonio Spurs despite a painful right thigh bruise.

Expectations are high in Baton Rouge as LSU begins full squad workouts today. The Tigers return their two top starting pitchers, Alex Lange and Jared Poche, and Tiger Rag Associate editor James Moran says Erick Walker from Texas has the best shot of the incoming freshmen to become the Sunday starter…
cut 18 (12) “…for strikes”
LSU is ranked third in the USA Today Coaches Preseason poll, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 16th.

Waiting to see if there will be any suspensions as a result of last night’s mini-brawl between Louisiana Tech and UAB. All the players left the Bulldogs bench to be part of the melee and leaving the bench is an automatic ejection. So Tech played with just four players for the final six minutes and lost to the Blazers 79-70.

In college hoops Louisiana Tech had a game for the ages last night that ended with just four Bulldogs standing on the court, one coach and one trainer on the bench. Tech ended up losing 79-70 to UAB in a contest that included a bench clearing fight; causing the ejection of 8 players each from both teams. Protocol in a situation like this is to remove everyone who broke the rule by leaving the bench. Tech was outnumbered in the end as UAB had six players finish the game.

The Nicholls State University men’s basketball team was unable to hang on to an eight-point second-half lead against Houston Baptist University in a 83-80 setback Thursday night on the road.

Also last night, UNO took control early in a 75-56 victory over McNeese State.

In the NBA, Tonight a struggling Pelicans team will tip-off against the Spurs in the Smoothie King Center. Anthony Davis is officially listed as questionable for the game.

High school principals will vote today on a plan that would reduce the number of state football championships from nine to seven. Iowa (Eye-oh-way) principal Mike Oakley says the proposal will also reduce the number of title games in basketball, baseball and softball..:
Cut 16 (17) “strain on em”
The vote takes place at the LHSAA convention in Baton Rouge.

In recruiting news, Travis Etienne, a four-star running back out of Jennings High School, has committed to Clemson over LSU. The announcement came the same day linebacker Jacob Phillips flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to LSU.

Former LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White won’t play in tomorrow’s Senior Bowl after he sprained his ankle during practice this week.

The LSU baseball team is No. 3 in the 2017 USA Today preseason coaches poll released Thursday, marking the Tigers’ fifth Top 5 preseason ranking.

The best inside linebacker in the country has decided to decommit from Oklahoma and sign with LSU next week. Jacob Phillips is from Nashville, Tennessee, and rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals-dot-com. Sam Spielgman of SEC Country says it’s not a surprise Phillips made the switch…
cut 30 (08) “…home”
National signing day is on Wednesday and the Tigers could finish with a class ranked in the Top 5.

Former LSU cornerback Tre’ Davious White suffered a minor ankle injury and will not play in Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

Louisiana Tech’s football schedule was released today. The Bulldogs will host Northwestern State and Mississippi State to begin the season. In league play, they’ll host Southern Miss on October 21st and the final regular season game of the year will now be Texas-San Antonio and that will be a home game.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball begins a two-game road trip tonight where they face two of the best teams in Conference USA. Saturday it’s Middle Tennessee and tonight it’s UAB. Bulldogs Coach Eric Konkol says handling the Blazers pressure will be a key…
cut 20 (20) “…good shape”
Tip-off is at 8 PM.

LSU basketball hit a new low last night with a 35-point loss to Florida, worst home defeat since 1963. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham expects Athletic Director Joe Alleva will fire coach Johnny Jones at the end of the season, with two years left on his contract…
cut 5 (11) “…will do”

LSU men’s baskeball coach Johnny Jones apologized for how his team played in night’s embarrassing 35-point defeat to 25th ranked Florida. It was the Tigers sixth straight loss and they are now 1-7 in the SEC. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham believes Jones’ tenure as LSU’s head coach will come to an end soon…
cut 3 (08) “…are off”
Worsham says it will cost LSU 800-thousand to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.

Northwestern State ended Southeastern Louisiana’s 16-game home winning streak last night as the Demons downed the Lions 85-71.

The Pelicans failed to folow up Monday’s great win over Cleveland with another win. Oklahoma City thumped the Pels 114 to 105.

Louisiana Tech’s football schedule was released today as the Bulldogs begin their 12-game slate by hosting Northwestern State and Mississippi State. Tech’s first conference game will be September 16th at Western Kentucky, who defeated the Bulldogs in last year’s Conference USA title game.

In college basketball tonight…the Dunkin Dogs are at UAB for the start of a difficult two game road trip which will conclude on Saturday against Middle Tennessee. Tech has won four in a row and they are getting good play from Erik McCree, who is averaging 17 points a game. Coach Eric Konkol says the senior from Orlando is doing a little bit of everything…
cut 19 (15) “….on the court”
Tip-off is at 8 PM and it can be seen on CST.

LSU announces that will retire the jersey of All-American second baseman Todd Walker on April 14th prior to the tigers game versus Ole Miss.

The LSU men’s basketball team dropped an ugly one last night in the PMAC to SEC rival Florida. The Gators made a school record 19 three-pointers in a 106-71 win over the Tigers. With the loss, LSU falls to 1-7 in conference play.

Louisiana Tech begins a difficult road trip tonight in Birmingham as they visit the UAB Blazers, the defending regular season champs in Conference USA. The Bulldogs bring a season-high four-game winning streak into tonight’s contest and Head Coach Eric Konkol credits tough defense for his team’s recent winning ways..:
Cut 18 (14) “as well”
The Bulldogs are led by Erik McCree, who is averaging 17 points a game.

Also tonight, McNeese State is at UNO and Nicholls State travels to face Houston Baptist.

More college hoops, Northwestern State snapped Southeastern’s 16-game home winning streak with an 85-74 Southland Conference victory Wednesday in Hammond. The Lions went into the game with the 10th-longest home court win streak in the nation.

In the NBA, Anthony Davis was back on the floor, but the Pels struggled throughout the game against The Thunder and New Orleans ended up falling to OKC 114-105. The loss drops The Pelicans to 2 and a half games back of the NO 8 seed in the Western Conference standings.

The Senior Bowl takes place Saturday at 1:30 in Mobile Alabama. Saints GM Mickey Loomis was asked about the possibility of signing Drew Brees to another extension; Loomis brushed it off saying Brees has already said he plans to play out his final year then they’d go from there. The Saints are taking Seniors off-site for interviews. A source says they signed long snapper Jesse Schmitt of Purdue on Wednesday.

Former LSU coach Les Miles will be part of ESPN’s national signing day coverage on February first.

All-star Anthony Davis is expected to play tonight for the Pelicans host Oklahoma City. New Orleans is looking to follow up Monday’s big win over Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers with another quality victory.

In college basketball tonight…the LSU Tigers will look to snap a five-game losing streak as they host Florida. While Southeastern Louisiana looks for its fourth straight win overall when they host Northwestern State who is in the middle of a four-game road trip.

LSU’s football coaches are on the road trying to finalize a recruiting class that has the potential to finish in the top five. It’s currently ranked seventh by Rivals and 24-7 sports. Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says Coach Ed Orgeron is doing well with his recruiting class…
cut 18 (17) “…top five”
LSU has missed out on Southern Lab linebacker Chris Allen. The four-star prospect says he’ll sign with Alabama.

Saints coaches and scouts are in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl. General Manager Mickey Loomis met with members of the media and talked about improving on last year’s seven and nine record…
cut 29 (25) “…we will have”

There are four former LSU Tigers who are participating in Senior Bowl practices. One of those is defensive back Tre’Davious White, who says he’s spoken with many NFL teams…
cut 28 (09) “…about me”
The senior bowl is Saturday.

At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis was asked about the reports that have been published over the last two years the franchise is interested in trading head coach Sean Payton. Loomis says they are all inaccurate…
cut 30 (15) “…public domain”
Just two days ago, Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said he took a call from a Payton associate who was gaging interest in a possible trade between the two teams.

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans host Oklahoma City. Anthony Davis says he plans to play after missing the win over the Cavaliers on Monday night because of an injury to his thigh. New Orleans enters the game one and a half games back of Denver for the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

A week from today it’s national signing day and the LSU Tigers have 20 committments and they are expected to sign about two dozen players. Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says the Tigers are looking to add a defensive lineman from northeast Louisiana to the 2017 recruiting class…
cut 17 (12) “…and Alabama” (2x)
Dixon says LSU will have to wait until national signing day on February first on five or six guys who could decide to play at LSU. On Thursday, the state’s top running back, Travis Etienne of Jennings, will announce if he’ll play at LSU. Etienne is also considering Clemson.

In college basketball…LSU looks to snap a five-game losing streak tonight when they host 25th ranked Florida. The Gators have lost two in a row. Southeastern Louisiana hosts Northwestern State. The Lions have won three in a row, while the Demons are looking to go 2-0 on a four-game road trip.

There’s a week to go before national signing day and the LSU Tigers are on the verge of landing a top five class. Rivals and 24–7 sports currently have Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class ranked as the nation’s seventh best. But Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says that ranking can go up, if LSU signs a few talented linebackers…:
Cut 16 (16) “down the stretch”
Dixon says they will have to wait until the February first national signing day on five or six guys who could decide to play at LSU.

The Tigers were after outside linebacker Christopher Allen of Southern Lab; but the four-star prospect and 5th ranked player from Louisiana told 24-7 sports yesterday that he’s sticking with Alabama.

LSU has announced it’s annual spring game will be held April 22nd with spring practice beginning March 11th. A kickoff time has not been set.

In the NBA; As a result of Monday night’s win over the Cavs, the Pelicans are still in the thick of the Western Conference playoff chase, just one game behind eighth place Denver and a half a game back of No. 9 Portland. But New Orleans’ schedule doesn’t get much easier as they host Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook tonight; then next Washington.

In college hoops, tonight both LSU and Florida will look to end losing streaks as they tip-off in the PMAC. The Tigers are 1-6 in the SEC and 9-9 overall, and their five-game skid in conference play is the longest for the program since the 2010-11 season. The No. 25 Gators are 5-2 in conference action and 14-5 on the season.

Southeastern will be looking for its 4th straight win tonight when the Lions host in-state conference rival Northwestern State. SLU is 5-2 in the Southland while the Demons are 2-4.

Last night on the hardwood, Tulane was knocked off by Houston 65-51. The Wave shot a season low 18 of 59 from the floor.

Today was the first day of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile. There are four former Tigers there trying to impress NFL scouts, linebacker Duke Riley, wide receiver Travin Dural, center Ethan Pocic and defensive back Tre Davious White. Grambling wide receiver Chad Williams is also there.

And LSU has announced it’s annual spring game will be held April 22nd with spring practice beginning March 11th. A game time for the spring game has not been set.

In recuiting news…Jennings running back Travis Etienne says he’ll announce his signing decision on Thursday at 5 PM. LSU, Tennessee, Texas A-and-M and Clemson have been after the ball carrier.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will suit up Sunday night and play in the Pro Bowl. He’ll replace Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, who can’t play in the all-star game, because he has to get ready for the Super Bowl. This will be Brees’ 10th Pro Bowl appearance.

It was an impressive win for the Pelicans last night as they rebounded from a bad loss to Brooklyn for their best win of the year, a 124-122 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. And the Pels did it without Anthony Davis, who didn’t play because of a right thigh contusion. Terrence Jones had 36 points to lead the way for New Orleans, while Jrue Holiday had 33. Holiday on the victory…
cut 30 (09) “…for the win”
And here’s more good news for New Orleans, Davis practiced today and he’s expected to play in Wednesday night’s home game against Oklahoma City.

In college basketball action tonight…Tulane is at Houston, tomorrow night, LSU looks to snap a five-game losing streak when they host 25th ranked Florida, while Southeastern Louisiana looks for its fourth straight win when they host Northwestern State.

What a bounce back win for the Pelicans last night. On Friday, New Orleans lost to the worst team in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets. But last night, without an injured Anthony Davis, the Pels defeated the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers 124-122. Forward Terrence Jones filled in for A-D and scored a season-high 35 points. Coach Alvin Gentry on Jones…
cut 30 (15) “…between them”
Jrue Holiday also had a big game as he finished with a season-high 33 points. New Orleans needed big efforts from those two, because Cavs all-star Kyrie Irving had 49 points and Lebron James had a triple-double. The Pels host Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will compete in his 10th Pro Bowl. Brees has been added to the NFC Roster as he’ll replace Matt Ryan, who will play in his first Super Bowl.

Louisiana Tech quarterback J’mar Smith is trying out for the Bulldogs baseball team. Smith is hoping to make the team as an outfielder.

ULM has received a commitment from John Ehret offensive lineman Dwayne Fisher. Fisher was previously committed to Arkansas and had offers from three Power Five schools.

In college basketball action last night….Alabama State upset Southern 79-65. The Ragin Cajuns allowed Texas Arlington to shoot 57-percent from the field in a 108-71 loss to the Mavericks. UL Lafayette’s Bryce Washington had a double-double, 17 points and 10 rebounds. ULM lost its seven straight as they fell in a close one, 63-57 to Texas State. Tonight, Tulane is at Houston and on Wednesday, LSU hosts 25th ranked Florida.