There have been conflicting reports over whether the Saints will hold mini-camp at the Greenbrier in West Virginia as planned, given the recent flooding the state has seen. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic says New Orleans currently has every intention of beginning camp on July 27th at the resort but they’re still in a bit of a holding pattern…:
cut 14 (07) “training camp”
Garic says the Saints played a huge part in boosting morale in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and believes they would do the same in West Virginia..:
Cut 16 (08) “they’re doing”
Garic says the main thing is getting the Saints out of the extreme south Louisiana heat.

After a difficult battle with dementia, Pat Summitt, the winningest college basketball coach, has died at age 64. According to a statement made by her son to WATE, Summitt died “peacefully this morning” in Knoxville. Summitt led the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team to eight national championships and won 1,098 games in her 38-year career – more than any other coach, men’s or women’s, in college basketball history.

LSU landed four players in this year’s Pro Football Focus Top 101. Running back Leonard Fournette was the highest ranked Tiger at No. 3, followed by defensive end Arden Key at No. 40, defensive lineman Devon Godchaux at No. 66 and safety Jamal Adams at No. 96.

LSU first baseman Greg Deichmann will take part in the 2016 TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby, it was announced Monday.

Former LSU star Alex Bregman will be promoted to the Houston Astros Triple-A team in Fresno after tomorrow night’s Double-A All Star game. The shortstop who was the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft out of LSU, hit 14 homeruns and 46 RBIs in 62 games for the Corpus Christi Hooks. This promotion likely means Bregman will make it to Houston at some point this year.

Louisiana Tech says they will begin implementing the partial cost of attendance which means its student athletes will receive additional funds other than tuition and room and board. Cost of attendance lets the student athletes have money that can be used on everyday things like transportation and food. As of July 1, Tech will implement partial cost of attendance across four sports — football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. Each scholarship athlete will receive $2,000 per year handed out in monthly installments.

LSU center Ethan Pocic has been named to NFL.com’s top 10 2016 interior offensive line watch list. The 6-foot-7, 309-pound lineman started 11 games for the Tigers last season and registered 128.5 knockdown blocks. The 2016 team opens the season in Green Bay, WI against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Lambeau Field.

LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones spoke for about seven minutes on the Southeastern Conference’s summer basketball teleconference on Monday. Jones lost his star player Ben Simmons who was the No. 1 pick in the draft, but said he was excited about the upcoming season. With five juniors, the Tigers will no longer be one of the youngest teams in the SEC.

Johnny Manziel is in the news again today amid reports his defense attorney withdrew from the case after he accidentally texted a reporter information about his client, including that he hoped Manziel didn’t have to pee in a bottle.

The status of Saints training camp is still up in the air, as West Virginia and in particular where New Orleans practices, Greenbrier valley, suffers significant flooding. The resort is closed until further notice and 60 roads in the area are still blocked. The waters are receding, but the region is also plagued by thick sludge that piled up because of the flood waters. The team says they are monitoring the situation. The PGA Tour says the Greenbrier Classic scheduled for next month has been canceled.

Making national sports headlines is the tragic declining heath of longtime Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Her family has issued a statement asking for prayers amid reports of Summitt’s condition. Summitt stepped down as coach in 2012 after announcing her diagnosis of early-onset dementia. In 38 seasons at UT, she posted the most career wins of any Division I men’s or women’s basketball coach.

The team that took down LSU in the Baton Rouge Super Regionals is making impressive strides in the College World Series. Coastal Carolina is now in the finals following a 7-4 victory over TCU Saturday night. Today the Chanticleers will face Arizona in a best-of-three series in their first ever appearance at the CWS. They’ll play again tomorrow and, if tied up, again on Wednesday.

NBA legend and former LSU stand-out Shaq is the latest star to make news as he visited Havana on Sunday to put on a basketball clinic for kids. The US State Department sponsored Shaq’s trip as part of the American outreach to Cuba.

Family members of Ben Simmons, a former Tiger star and the NBA first round draft pick, say his cousin died after being struck by a car in a New Jersey neighborhood. Authorities say 21-year-old Zack Simmons was trying to cross a road when he was struck by an SUV that fled the scene. It’s reported Zack went with Ben to the draft in New York last week.

The Pelicans say they are thrilled with what they were able to get done on draft night. With the sixth overall pick, they selected shooting guard Buddy Hield, who averaged 25 points and shot 46-percent from three-point territory during his senior season at Oklahoma. General Manager Dell Demps says Hield is the guy they wanted…
cut 30 (23) “…have him”
In the second round, the Pelicans traded their two selections so they can move up in the draft and take Kansas forward Cheick Diallo. The six-foot-nine native of Africa only averaged three points a game last season, but the team likes his potential.

There are multiple reports saying that LSU left-handed pitcher Jake Latz is leaving the Tigers program. Latz has suffered through elbow injuries since he arrived on campus prior to the 2015 season. He was finally healthy enough to appear in seven games this past season, but he was 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA.

The Manning Passing Academy takes place this weekend in Thibodaux on the Nicholls State campus. LSU Quarterback Brandon Harris is there as a camp counselor. He told reporters today that he takes full responsibility for what happened last season. Harris says he played terrible and didn’t live up to expetations. Harris threw for 21-hundred yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions last season.

Big weekend in Natchitoches as a new class is inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. The class is highlighted by former NBA player PJ Brown, ex major league pitcher Ben Sheets, former Tulane baseball coach Rick Jones and current St. Thomas More football coach Jim Hightower.

The Pelicans selected the John Wooden Award winner, Buddy Hield, with the sixth overall pick last night. The Oklahoma guard knocked down 147 three-pointers last season as he helped guide the Sooners to the Final Four. General Manager Dell Demps says Heild is a phenomenal player and the player they targeted. Hield on what he’ll bring to the Big Easy..
cut 19 (17) “…organization better”
The Pels traded their two second round selections to move up in the second round to take Kansas forward Cheick Diallo. He’s six-foot-nine and didn’t put up big numbers last season, but is considered an athletic and aggressive player on the court.

It’s a big weekend in Natchitoches as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame adds 11 new members to its museum. Highlighting the class are former Winnfield stars, NBA basketball player PJ Brown, former NFL running Anthony Thomas, St. Thomas More football coach Jim Hightower, former Tulane baseball coach Rick Jones, former major league pitcher and ULM star Ben Sheets and the former voice of the LSU Tigers Jim Hawthorne.

The 21st annual Manning Passing Academy is under way at Nicholls State University. 40 of the nation’s top college quarterbacks are serving as camp counselors. LSU Brandon Harris is there and so is the now retired Peyton Manning.

Four teams are left at the College World Series and none of them are national seeds. Coastal Carolina eliminated the last national seed, Texas Tech, as Carolina edged the Red Raiders 7-5. So today, Oklahoma State faces Arizona this afternoon. Tonight TCU takes on Coastal Carolina.

Former LSU standout Ben Simmons says his dreams came true last night, as he was selected first in the NBA draft by the Philadelpiha 76ers. Sports analysts have predicted this all along. Simmons says he’s worked hard to get himself ready for life in the NBA…:
Cut 17 (15) “of experience”

The Pelicans selected the shooter they craved with the sixth overall pick, in Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield. The All-American averaged 25 points a game last season and guided the Sooners to the Final Four. Hield says he’s thankful for the opportunity to play in New Orleans…:
Cut 18 (14) “Anthony Davis”

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies get underway tomorrow in Natchitoches. Eight former athletes and coaches, as well as three contributors, highlight the 2016 class. Four-time major league baseball All-Star pitcher and ULM alumni Ben Sheets, NBA standout and Louisiana Tech forward P.J. Brown, University of Michigan and NFL star Anthony Thomas are among the inductees. Former LSU play by play man Jim Hawthorne will receive the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

There’s more turmoil with Grambling State’s administration. Halen Doughty reports..:
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former LSU star Ben Simmons is expected to be the number one overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in tonight’s NBA draft. Duke’s Brandon Ingram is considered the other standout player in this draft. Many question if Simmons deserves to be the top overall pick after failing to lead LSU to the NCAA Tournament. But Fox Sports college basketball writer Aaron Torres predicts Simmons will have a great NBA career…
cut 18 (12) “…bum rap”
Simmons averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists during his only season at LSU.

The Pelicans have the sixth overall pick. Draft experts see New Orleans taking either California forward Jaylen Brown, Kentucky shooting guard Jamal Murray or Providence point guard Kris Dunn.

New Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs says he wants to host regionals and super regionals in Ruston and also take the Bulldogs to the College World Series. Burroughs says he’s not afraid to set high standards…
cut 19 (10) “…last year

In other college baseball news….LSU third basemen O’Neal Lochridge will not play next season because of back issues. Lochridge played in dozen games before his bad back sidelined him for the rest of the year. Lochridge hopes to return to the LSU baseball team in 2017.

LSU pitcher Alex Lange will begin training with the USA Baseball Collegiate National team on Monday. The USA squad will face Chinese Taipie, Japan and Cuba in July.

And more turmoil for Grambling State’s administration. President Willie Larkin announced his resignation. He was on the job for less than a year.

Tonight is the NBA draft and based on media reports the Pelicans could take Providence point guard Kris Dunn. New Orleans has the sixth overall pick, but Dunn could be taken before then. The Pelicans might want to use their first round pick on a good shooter. Two of the best shooters in this draft are Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield and Kentucky’s Jamal Murray. Fox sports college basketball writer Aaron Torres says there’s a good chance one of those players will be available at six…
cut 17 (15) “…that one”
New Orleans also has two selections in the second round.

Former LSU star Ben Simmons is expected to be the top pick. Also hoping to get drafted, former LSU guard Tim Quarterman, Ragin Cajuns center Shawn Long and Louisiana Tech guard Alex Hamilton.

New Louisiana Tech Head Baseball Coach Lane Burroughs plans to take the Bulldogs to Omaha. The Bulldogs are coming off a season where they reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 29 seasons. Burroughs says he has no problem with fans who expect postseason play every year..
cut 20 (09) “…whatsoever”

Former LSU star Ben Simmons is expected to be the number one overall pick in tonight’s NBA draft, and join the Philadelphia 76ers rebuilding effort. Duke’s Brandon Ingram would be the other potential top choice. Many question if Simmons deserves to be taken first after failing to lead LSU to the NCAA Tournament. But Fox Sports college basketball writer Aaron Torres predicts Simmons will have a great NBA career…:
Cut 18 (12) “bum rap”

The Pelicans have the sixth overall pick in tonight’s NBA draft. Most mock drafts indicate New Orleans will choose either shooting guard Jamal Murray out of Kentucky, or former Providence point guard Kris Dunn. Torres believes either Murray or Dunn will help complement Pels star Anthony Davis.

New Louisiana Tech Head Baseball Coach Lane Burroughs says plans to take the Bulldogs to Omaha. Burroughs says he’s not shy about high expectations…:
Cut 19 (10) “last year”
Burroughs joins the Bulldogs after spending the past four years as the head baseball coach at Northwestern State.

The New Orleans Zephyrs announce the top 7 fan-nominated new names proposed for the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are the New Orleans King Cakes, Po’boys, Crawfish, Baby Cakes, Night Owls, Red Eyes and Tailgators.

Athlon Sports has released its preseason All-American college football teams and it includes several LSU players. Running back Leonard Fournette has been named to the first-team, Offensive lineman Ethan Pocic has been named to the second-team. Four Tiger defensive stars made the preseason All-American teams.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that former LSU star Ben Simmons has worked out for the Philadelphia 76ers, who will likely make him the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Simmons went through drills Tuesday, ahead of the draft in New York tomorrow. Philadelphia franchise leaders said that by choosing to work out for the team, Simmons removed any doubt that he didn’t want to be in the City of Brotherly Love. Owners say it also speaks to his desire to be selected No. 1.

The Saints announced the 2016 training camp schedule, holding practices at both the Greenbrier in West Virginia and ending at the Saints’ Metairie facility on Airline. That includes 22 practices for Saints fans to watch their team practice. They’ll begin on-field workouts in a non-padded practice session in West Virginia, Thursday, July 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Following four days of practices at their Metairie training facility from Monday, Aug. 22-Thursday, Aug. 25, the Saints host their first preseason game of 2016 the next day against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

UL-Lafayette has issued a statement in response to the death of Herman Williams, a 2016-17 signee to the school’s men’s basketball team. Williams died after collapsing during a workout in Florida’s Jackson County. The Ragin Cajuns say Williams was a very smart young man with a bright future, and was going to be a perfect compliment to the team, both as a person and player. He had just turned 19 years old on Sunday.

In the College World Series, for the first time in nine years, the SEC won’t have a team play in the championship series. Texas Tech held on to eliminate NO. 1 seed Florida 3-2 on Tuesday. The Red Raiders will play Coastal Carolina tomorrow. TCU defeated the Chanticleers yesterday. Today in Game 9, US Santa Barbara takes on Arizona.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell says former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham has signed an endorsement deal with Campbell’s Chunky Soup.

LSU baseball announces that second baseman Cole Freeman has been chosen to wear number eight next season. Mikie Mahtook started the tradition of passing the jersey number eight to another player.