A recent discovery could change the whole dynamic of the Will Smith murder case. Police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former-Saints defensive end’s vehicle. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the perspective on the charges against Cardell Hayes may continue to change as more evidence comes to light…:
CUT 12 (07) “to be determined”
Surveillance video also shows that a hit and run that took place prior to the shooting appears to be Smith rear-ending Hayes before driving off.

The Saints are holding an open casket visitation for guests wishing to pay their final respects to Smith on Friday from 2-7 at the team’s indoor practice facility in Metairie.

Funeral arrangements have also been announced for beloved Saints color analyst Hokie Gajan. The Baker native lost his battle with cancer Monday night at the age of 56. A balloon release for Hokie will take place tonight in Madisonville — then visitation will be Friday at St. Anselm Church in Madisonville. A funeral mass will follow at 3 p.m.

What happened to the LSU baseball team last night? McNeese came to play and they ended up blowing out the No. 9 Tigers 7-0 as the Cowboys extend their win streak to 5. This is the first win over a top 10 opponent for McNeese. LSU will host Grambling tonight. The Cowboys head home to take on Louisiana Tech.

The 22nd ranked Ragin Cajuns defeated NO.22/24 Tulane last night, 9-2. Nicholls State takes on Southern tonight in Baton Rouge.

ULM was edged by Arkansas 3-1 last night. Southeastern fell to South Alabama 2-1.

The Pelicans disappointing season ends tonight. The expectation was another trip to the playoffs, instead a mountain of injuries crushed the team’s playoff chances. Because of the injuries, Jake Madison a writer with Bourbon Street Shots, does NOT expect the team to fire general manager Dell Demps or head coach Alvin Gentry…:
Cut 16 (13) “this year”
The Pels will take on Minnesota.

A recent discovery could change the whole dynamic of the Will Smith murder case. Police say a loaded 9mm gun was found in the former-Saints defensive end’s vehicle. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the perspective on the charges against Cardell Hayes may continue to change as more evidence comes to light…:
CUT 12 (07) “to be determined”
Surveillance video also shows that a hit and run that took place prior to the shooting appears to be Smith rear-ending Hayes before driving off.

The Saints are holding an open casket visitation for guests wishing to pay their final respects to Smith on Friday from 2-7 at the team’s indoor practice facility in Metairie.

Funeral arrangements have also been announced for beloved Saints color analyst. The Baker native lost his battle with cancer Monday night at the age of 56. A balloon release for Hokie will take place tonight in Madisonville — then visitation will be Friday at St. Anselm Church in Madisonville. A funeral mass will follow at 3 p.m.

What happened to the LSU baseball team last night? McNeese came to play and they ended up blowing out the No. 9 Tigers 7-0 as the Cowboys extend their win streak to 5. This is the first win over a top 10 opponent for McNeese. LSU will host Grambling tonight. The Cowboys head home to take on Louisiana Tech.

The 22nd ranked Ragin Cajuns defeated NO.22/24 Tulane last night, 9-2. Nicholls State takes on Southern tonight in Baton Rouge.

ULM was edged by Arkansas 3-1 last night. Southeastern fell to South Alabama 2-1.

The Pelicans disappointing season ends tonight. The expectation was another trip to the playoffs, instead a mountain of injuries crushed the team’s playoff chances. Because of the injuries, Jake Madison a writer with Bourbon Street Shots, does NOT expect the team to fire general manager Dell Demps or head coach Alvin Gentry…:
Cut 16 (13) “this year”
The Pels will take on Minnesota.

Tributes are flowing today for former LSU and Saints running back and radio analyst Hokie Gajan. The football star died last night at the age of 56 from cancer. He was born in Baton Rouge, played at Baker High and starred at LSU. He blocked for former LSU running back Charles Alexander, when he was a Heisman finalist. Alexander says Gajan always put the team first and never worried about being in the headlines…
cut 11 (11) “…good guy”
After his career at LSU, Gajan appeared in 45 games for the Saints and still ranks second in franchise history for yards-per-carry. After his playing career, he served as a scout for the Saints and in 2000 he was named the color analyst for the team on WWL radio.

Ex-Saints running back Pierre Thomas used social media to share some of his thoughts about his former teammate, Will Smith, who was killed in a shooting late Saturday night. Thomas had dinner with Smith just before he died. Thomas says the images at the murder scene will never leave him and asks when is the senseless killing going to stop.

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing Smith, Cardell Hayes, will take place April 28th. Surveillence video has surfaced that shows there could have been a hit-and-run accident involving Smith and Hayes’ vehicles before the shooting.

Those wishing to pay their final respects to Smith can do so this Friday at the Saints indoor practice facility in Metairie. The team is hosting a public visitation from two to seven PM.

In other Saints news, the team has reportedly exercised the fifth-year contract option for safety Kenny Vaccaro. The move likely keeps Vaccaro in Black and Gold through the 2017 season.

Longtime Saints radio analyst and a man who had been involved with sports in Louisiana for more than 40 years, Hokie Gajan, died at the age of 56 Monday. Gajan was diagnosed with cancer last year, and his daughter, Kristin Gajan Sell told WWL he was moved to ICU over the weekend. She says the outpouring of affection from everyone has been a true blessing…:
Cut 19 (10) “for him”
Arrangements are pending.

More information keeps coming out about the fatal shooting of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. Surveillance video has surfaced that appears to show Smith was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a vehicle driven by the man that is accused of killing him. Cardale Hayes is facing a second-degree murder charge and his attorney has said Hayes was not the aggressor in this incident.

Pitcher Jake Latz makes his long-awaited debut in an LSU uniform tonight when the Tigers take on the McNeese State Cowboys. Latz couldn’t pitch last season and for the first half of this season, because of an elbow injury. Latz, who was selected in the 11th round of the 2014 draft, is expected to pitch a couple of innings. McNeese enters the game with an 18-11 record and they’ve lost 11 straight to the Tigers.

In other action…24th ranked Tulane is at UL Lafayette, Southeastern visits South Alabama and ULM battles Arkansas in North Little Rock.

In the NBA…the Pelicans closed out its home schedule with a 121 to 116 loss to Chicago. New Orleans was 21-20 at the Smoothie King Center. They close out the regular season on Wednesday at Minnesota.

Sports fans throughout Louisiana are waking up to the news that former Saints and LSU star, Hokie Gajan, passed away peacefully at the age of 56. The color analyst for the Black and Gold was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer near the end of 2015. Gajan is survived by his wife, Judy, and daughters Jennifer, Kristin, Megan and Alexis (Peanut).

The defense attorney in the murder case of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith believes once all of the evidence comes out, his client will be innocent. Cardell Hayes has been charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting, stemming from what cops call a road rage incident. Hayes’ lawyer John Fuller hopes more details of the incident will come out in a preliminary hearing…:
CUT 7 (11) “knowledge of”
Fuller has filed a motion to preserve all ballistic evidence.

In college baseball, LSU is making big moves in polls as the Tigers are No. 11 in D1 Baseball, No. 9 in Baseball America and No. 17 in Perfect game. LSU plays five games this week, beginning with McNeese State today, Grambling tomorrow and a weekend series against Missuori.

UL-Lafayette also plays five games this week against in-state foes Tulane and UNO starting today against the Green Wave. Ragin Cajun Sophomore right-hander Evan Guillory was named Pitcher of the Week by the Sun Belt.

Southeastern travels to face No. 21-ranked South Alabama. The Lions and the Ragin Cajuns play a weekend series.

ULM and Arkansas will meet on the diamond for the first time since the 2009 season.

In their last home game of the season, the New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Chicago Bulls, 121-116 Monday night. Analysts say with the loss, the Pels are locked into the sixth slot for NBA draft lottery odds, and can move either up or down from there.

The NFL Network reports that Cal quarterback Jared Goff is expected to visit the Saints this week.

Saints Owner Tom Benson says former defensive end Will Smith was an inspiration to many. Smith was killed in what police are calling a road rage shooting that occurred Saturday night in New Orleans. The Big Easy is unfortunately familiar with this type of violence. Current Saints offensive tackle Zach Streif says this shooting gives the city a black eye…
cut 18 (16) “…it really does”
Saints Coach Sean Payton made some strong comments to USA Today about the violence in New Orleans. He says the city is broken and its madness people argue that everybody needs a gun.

In other Black and Gold news…the NFL Network reports that Cal quarterback Jared Goff is expected to visit the Saints this week. He’s expected to be a first round pick.

In the latest D-1 Baseball poll, LSU has moved up four spots to number eleven after taking two of three from fifth ranked Vanderbilt. Tulane has also moved into the Top 25. The Green Wave are ranked 22nd after taking two of three from East Carolina. In Baseball America’s rankings, LSU is up to number nine, while the Green Wave are ranked 24th.

UL Lafayette’s Evan Guillory has been named Sun Belt pitcher of the week. Guillory tossed a complete game one-hit shutout last week in a win over Northwestern.

Louisiana Tech second baseman Jordan Washam has been named Conference USA Hitter of the Week. Washam was 11-of-16 at the plate as Tech went 3-and-1 last week. The Bulldogs are 18-and-10 on the year.

Nicholls sophomore catcher Kyle Knauth has been named the Southland Hitter of the Week. Knauth had 13 hits last week and drove in six runs. He’s reached base in 18 consecutive games.

In the NBA, the Pelicans final home game of the season is tonight as they’ll host the Chicago Bulls.

The Saints and their fans are mourning the death of former defensive end Will Smith. Smith and another man exchanged words after a fender bender involving their vehicles in New Orleans on Saturday night. Police say the other man pulled out a gun and fatally shot Smith. Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief played with Smith and says he’s been dealing with a lot of different emotions…
cut 16 (14) “…how could this happen”
New Orleans Police have yet to establish a motive for the murder. Twenty-eight-year-old Cardell Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder and his attorney John Fuller says Hayes was not the aggressor during the altercation and believes toxicology reports on all of the individuals involved could shed light on the behavior of some of the participants.

Former LSU golfer Smylie Kaufman finished tied for 29th at the Masters after he shot a nine over-par 81 on Sunday. Kaufman teed off in the last group on Sunday with Justin Spieth, but Spieth ran into trouble on the par-3 12th hole, where he quadruple bogeyed and finished in second behind the winner Danny Willett.

In college football news…the NCAA has banned the creation of any new bowl games for at least the next three years. There are currently 40 bowl games and last season, three 5-and-7 teams received bowl bids because there wiere not enough eligible teams to fill all 80 slots.

The LHSAA has told high schools no more walk-up music for hitters at baseball and softball games. It’s because there were complaints about “explicit content” that were in some of the songs.

It’s the final home game of the season tonight for the Pelicans, who host the Chicago Bulls. Neither team is heading to the playoffs.

Police in New Orleans continue to investigate the fatal shooting incident which claimed the life of Will Smith, a much-loved former player with the Saints. Investigators believe 28-year-old Cardell Hayes killed Smith in an apparent road rage incident. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says Hayes is charged with second-degree murder…:
cut 12 (10) “as such”
Hayes’ bond is set at $1 million dollars.

Support has been pouring in from the Saints and their fans as they mourn this tragic incident. On WWL radio, Offensive tackle Zach Strief, who played with Smith, hopes the killing leads to a change within New Orleans…:
Cut 17 (09) “is it take”

Meanwhile WWL is also reporting that former Saints player and current color analyst Hokie Gajan, who is battling cancer, is in intensive care.

In college baseball, NO. 14 LSU dropped the SEC series finale to second-ranked Vanderbilt 7-6, Saturday. The Tigers won the first two and has won its last two conference series and five of its past six games.

26th ranked UL-Lafayette picked up a 13-9 win over Georgia Southern to clinch the series on Sunday. Southeastern Louisiana falls to Northwestern State 3-2.

Louisiana Tech defeated WKU 3-1 and picked up the series over the Hilltoppers. McNeese State completed a Southland sweep over UNO following a 13-3 victory Sunday. Nicholls State got an 8-3 victory over Incarnate Word and take the series. ULM fell to UT-Arlington 8-4 on Sunday, to end its shot for the sweep. Grambling beat Southern 16-11 in SWAC action as the Tigers swept the Jags.

Former LSU golf star Smylie Kaufman wrapped up his debut appearance at the Masters by tying for 29th place on the final leaderboard at 7 over par. Englishman Danny Willett got the green jacket after defending champ Jordan Spieth crashed and burned.

Head coach Paul Mainieri earned his 1,300th career win as sophomore right-hander Alex Lange limited second-ranked Vanderbilt to two runs in 6.1 innings pitched, and No. 14 LSU claimed the series over Vanderbilt with a 3-2 win Friday night in Alex Box Stadium. Game three is today at 2.

The 26th-ranked Ragin’ Cajuns exploded for four runs in the tenth inning to defeat Georgia Southern 6-2 in extra innings on Friday night to take the opening game of the series.

Nicholls State University picked up an 8-4 victory over Incarnate Word. McNeese State got past New Orleans 6-1 to pick up the league series opener in the Big Easy. ULM defeated UT Arlington 8-3 on the road. Louisiana Tech dropped their series opener against WKU 6-3 last night. Southern was defeated by Grambling, 11-7.

Southeastern Louisiana, which held a one-run lead for six innings, scored an unearned run in the ninth for a 2-1, Southland Conference win over Northwestern State.

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program lost its head coach Tyler Sumitt who admitted he had an affair, and reports say it was with a player. Jeff Palermo has more on the reaction in north Louisiana…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland spoke with the media on Friday, and said there is a lot of interest in the job. He said even after this news broke many people have reached out.

Alexis Ajinca and the Pelicans dominated Los Angeles in a 110-102 victory Friday night in retiring Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s final game in New Orleans.

The resignation of Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Tyler Summitt is grabbing lots of national media attention. Summitt has admitted he engaged in a relationship that was hurtful. SB Nation reports Summitt got one of his players pregnant. Gene Ponti is the sports director of K-T-V-E-TV in Monroe and he says this scandal is a black eye for the Lady Techster program and women’s basketball as a whole…
cut 10 (10) “…are in a hole”
Summitt is 25-years-old and was the head coach for the Lady Techsters the last two seasons.

Tonight at 7:30 it’s LSU versus Vanderbilt. Tigers won game one of the series last night 13-4. Alex Lange is on the hill for LSU. He’s coming off a rough straight against Auburn.

There are reports the Saints have re-signed running back Tim Hightower. After spending four seasons out of the NFL after tearing his ACL in 2011. Hightower appeared in eight games with the Black and Gold last year and rushed for 375 yards and had four touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 129 yards.

Atlanta cornerback Jalen Collins has been suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Collins was a second-round pick out of LSU in 2015 and appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season.

In college football, the NCAA approves a rule that bans FBS programs from hosting satellite camps. The SEC pushed for this rule after Big 10 schools started holding football camps in the south.

Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryantplays in his final game in New Orleans tonight as Lakers visit the Pelicans. There’s just four games left in Kobe’s career.