06:45 Sportscast January 22, 2016

After losing on the road to Texas A-and-M on Tuesday night, the LSU men’s basketball team looks for a road win tomorrow against Alabama. 2004 was the last time the Tigers went into Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa and came away with a victory. Coach Johnny Jones on why LSU has had trouble at Alabama…

cut 16 (18) “tough”

The game tips off Saturday at one and you can watch on ESPNU.

Last night in the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette picks up a 92-82 win over South Alabama. Senior guard Kasey Shepherd came off the bench to lead all scorers with 27, including six three-pointers.

Majok Deng tied a career high, scoring 33 points, as ULM beat Troy 85-74.

In college basketball action Saturday:

Louisiana Tech travels to Hattiesburg to face Southern Miss in Conference USA.

In the SWAC, Southern hosts Alabama State and Grambling is on the road to take on Jackson State.

The Southland Conference schedule has Nicholls State traveling to Central Arkansas, UNO visits league leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christie, and McNeese State hosts in-state rival Northwestern State.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette welcomes Troy and ULM hosts South Alabama.

Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans combined for 54 points as the Pelicans downed the Detroit Pistons 115-99. Davis scored 32 while Evans poured in 22 as the Pels have now won four of their last five. The Pelicans home stand continues Saturday when they take on Milwaukee.

Four star offensive lineman Will Allen from John Curtis High School has given his verbal commitment to sign with LSU. His pledge moves LSU back to number one in some of the recruiting rankings. Today, the Tigers will find out if Neville defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence plans on attending LSU.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 January 21

Four star offensive lineman Will Allen from John Curtis High School has given his verbal commitment to sign with LSU. Allen is considered one of the state’s top prospects and one of the top offensive linemen in the nation. His verbal pledge moves LSU back to number one in some of the recruiting rankings. Tomorrow, the Tigers will find out if Neville defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence plans on attending LSU.

UL Lafayette has named Lewis Caralla as its new head strength and conditioning coach. Caralla was the director of strength and conditioning at North Texas and has also spent time at Michigan, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.

In college basketball tonight…UL Lafayette begins a five-game homestand when they take on Sun Belt rival South Alabama. ULM is unbeaten at home this season and they’ll host Troy tonight.

In the NBA…the Pelicans host the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

Changes have been made to LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri’s staff. LSU assistant Will Davis is leaving the program immediately to be an assistant at Lamar. It was previously announced that Davis would serve as the head coach at Lamar in 2017. Former LSU pitcher Nolan Cain will replace Davis on Mainieri’s staff. And it’s being reported that former Tigers catcher Micah Gibbs will be the new coordinator of baseball ops.

Former LSU baseball star Todd Walker has been elected to the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Walker was a standout baseball player at Airline High School in Bossier City and during his senior season, they lost just one game…
cut 19 (16) “…minute of it”
Joining Walker in the Hall this year is the late West Monroe football coach Don Shows and former Parkview Baptist football coach Kenny Guillot.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 21

LSU has added another four-star prospect to its 2016 football recruiting class. John Curtis offensive lineman Willie Allen announced his decision this morning to attend LSU. He’s listed at six-foot-seven, 300 pounds. ESPN has hhim as the second ranked prospect at his position and 16th overall. Allen also visited Georgia and TCU.

In college basketball tonight…UL Lafayette begins a five-game homestand tonight when they take on Sun Belt rival South Alabama. The Cajuns have won eight straight at home. UL Lafayette is looking to improve on its 7-8 record, 3-3 in conference play.

ULM is unbeaten at home this season and they’ll host Troy tonight. The Warhawks are 2-4 in league play, while the Trojans are 1-5.

And in the NBA…the Pelicans host the Detroit Pistons. This will be New Orleans’ first game this season without Eric Gordon who will miss at least a month with a fractured ring finger.

The late West Monroe Football Coach Don Shows highlights the seven-member class that’s been elected into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles. He also helped develop Andrew Whitworth and Bradie James into NFL players, but the former voice of the Rebels, Frank Hoffman, says the legendary coach didn’t need a lot of talented kids to win..
cut 17 (16) “…what it became”
Also in the Class of 2016 is former LSU star and Major Leaguer Todd Walker, who was a star baseball player at Airline High School in Bossier City. Walker says it’s quite an honor to get in the High School Hall of Fame…
cut 18 (09) “…doing”

06:45 Sportscast January 21, 2016

Late West Monroe Football Coach Don Shows highlights the seven-member class that’s been elected into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles. West Monroe Representative and former voice of the Rebels, Frank Hoffman says Shows built West Monroe into a football powerhouse…

cut 16 (14) “there”

The Class of 2016 also features former LSU star and Major Leaguer Todd Walker, former Parkview Baptist Coach Kenny Guillot, former St. Joseph’s volleyball coach Brenda LeBlanc, former Southwood girls basketball coach Steve McDowell, former Parkview baseball coach ML Woodruff, and journalist Ron Brocato.

A former personal assistant to Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson accuses Mr. Benson’s wife, Gayle, of racial discrimination. The accusations have been made by Rodney Henry in a filing with a federal court. Henry says Gayle treated him with disdain and disrespect. The Saints deny these allegations in a statement that goes on to say that Tom and Gayle are extremely hurt by Henry’s court filing.

Southeastern Louisiana’s 2016 football schedule features five Southland Conference home games for the Lions in the upcoming season. The Lions will kick-off the year on the road against Oklahoma State on September third and their home opener is against Northwestern State on September 24th.

Pelicans forward Quincy Pondexter underwent successful surgery to repair a cartilage injury in his left knee. The 6-7, 220 pound Pondexter is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2016-17 NBA season.

Former Ragin Cajun, Jonathan Lucroy, is seeking a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran catcher says he’s not interested in playing with a team that’s rebuilding.

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 20

A former personal assistant to Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson accuses Mr. Benson’s wife, Gayle, of racial discrimination. The accusations have been made by Rodney Henry in a filing with a federal court. Henry says Gayle treated him with disdain and disrespect. But the Saints deny these allegations in a statement and it goes on to say that Tom and Gayle are extremely hurt by Henry’s court filing.

The Pelicans will be without shooting guard Eric Gordon for the next four to six weeks after he broke his ring finger in last night’s win over Minnesota. Gordon is averaging 15 points a game and has yet to miss a game up until this point.

The LSU men’s basketball team is looking to rebound after losing last night to 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. Quiet night for Ben Simmons as he had just 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Tigers will now get ready to play Alabama this Saturday. The Crimson Tide are 1-4 in league play.

Southeastern Louisiana has announced its football schedule for the upcoming season. The Lions kick-off the year against Oklahoma State on September third and their home opener is against Northwestern State on September 24th.

The Ragin Cajuns have set a new season ticket record for baseball as over 27-hundred season tickets have been sold for this year. UL Lafayette has been ranked in the top ten in a couple of preseason polls and they open the season on February 19th at home against Sam Houston State.

Former Ragin Cajun, Jonathan Lucroy, is seeking a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran catcher says he’s not interested in playing with a team that’s rebuilding.

And The late West Monroe football coach Don Shows along with baseball star Todd Walker highlight the seven member class that will be inducted in the Louisiana Sports High School Hall of Fame this year. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles at West Monroe. Walker was a three-sport star at Airline High School.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 20

The LSU men’s basketball team shot the ball poorly in the second half and lost to 10th ranked Texas A-and-M 71-57 last night to fall to 4-2 in SEC play. The Tigers shot 32-percent from the field in the second half. It was a quiet game for Ben Simmons as he had 10 points, eleven rebounds, but also had four turnovers. The Tigers host Alabama this Saturday.

In other action last night…UConn clobbered Tulane 60-42, Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi downed Northwestern State 89-79 and Abilene Christian dribbled past McNeese State 75-67.

In the NBA…the Pelicans started their seven-game homestand with a win over Minnesota, beating the Timberwolves 114-99. Big night for Anthony Davis as he had 35 points and seven rebounds, but shooting guard Eric Gordon fractured a bone in his ring finger and he’ll miss the next four to six weeks.

The late West Monroe football coach Don Shows along with baseball star Todd Walker highlight the seven member class that will be inducted in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this year. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles at West Monroe. Walker was a three-sport star at Airline High School, but baseball was is his main sport and ended up playing 12 years in the Big Leagues.

Former Parkview Baptist Football Coach Kenny Guillot, former Southwood girls basketball coach Steve McDowell, ex St. Joseph’s volleyball coach Brenda LeBlanc and Parkview baseball coach ML Woodruff are also part of the 2016 class.

In football recruiting news…Mr. Football in 2015, Zachary quarterback Lindsey Scott, has received an offer from LSU. He’s also been offered by Maryland, Navy, Army and Rutgers. Neville defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence will announce on Friday if he’ll attend LSU or Ohio State.

16:45 LRN Sportscast January 19

LSU is 4-1 in SEC play, but they face its biggest road test in conference play tonight as they visit Texas A-and-M. The Aggies are 15-2, 5-0 in the league and ranked 10th in the latest AP Top 25 poll. A&M beat the Tigers twice last season and they’ll start four seniors tonight. Tip-off is at 8:00.

The Pelicans begin a seven-game homestand tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. If New Orleans is going to get back into the race for a playoff spot, this where they can make up some ground. They trail Utah by 4-and-a-half-games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tip-off tonight against the T-Wolves is at 7 PM.

LHSAA director Eddie Bonine is meeting with principals and head coaches ahead of the association’s annual convention and many of them have questions and concerns over the news that the split playoff system in football has been terminated, because of an error made by the LHSAA. Several schools still support the split playoff system.

LSU football is set to return 18 starters from last year’s 9-3 team now that linebacker Kendell Beckwith and conrerback Tre’Davious White have decided to return for their senior seasons. Football analyst Mike Detillier gives credit to head coach Les Miles for retaining his draft eligible juniors…
cut 18 (15) “…done by Les”
In years past, LSU has seen multiple juniors skip their senior season and enter the NFL draft. This year, the Tigers will likely lose only one player and that’s offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins.

Latest financials involving the Southeastern Conference shows the league made 527-million dollars in total revenue for the fiscal year that ended August of 2015. It’s a 60-percent increase over the previous year.

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 19

Big LSU men’s basketball game tonight as the Tigers visit 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. The Aggies are 15-and-2 overall, 5-0 in the SEC and they have three players who score in double figures led by senior Jalen Jones, who is averaging 17 points a game. Another senior, Danuel House, is averaging 16 points a a game and LSU basketball analyst Ricky Blanton says the Tigers can’t forget about House…
cut 20 (08) “…of him”
Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Star Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire has joined the UL Lafayette men’s basketball team. Coach Mark Hudspeth says McGuire loves to compete and hopefully his addition to the team can help the Cajuns win on the basketball court.

Southeastern Louisiana won its 3rd game of the season last night as the Lions beat Lamar 98-70.

All but one draft eligible underclassmen is returning to the LSU football team as linebacker Kendell Beckwith and cornerback Tre’Davious White said they are returning for their senior seasons. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says he’s surprised by White’s decision to come back…
cut 17 (11) “…football team”
LSU offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins is the only draft eligible underclassmen that’s declared for the NFL draft, but he has not signed an agent, so he has a couple more days to decide if he wants to return to LSU.

The 2015 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year has enrolled early into Louisiana Tech. Quarterback Jack Abraham threw for just over 5,000 yards and 57 touchdowns in his senior season at Oxford High School.

In the NBA…the Pelcians begin a crucial seven-game homestand against Minnesota tonight.

06:45 Sportscast January 19, 2016

Two starters on LSU’s defense this past season decided they can wait another year before they start making money in the NFL. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith and cornerback Tre’davious White announced they will return for their senior seasons. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says Beckwith still needs another season in college, before he’s ready for the NFL and Beckwith’s return bodes well for the Tigers

cut 16 (10) “linebacker position”

Detillier says he’s surprised White is returning, because he had a chance to be selected in the first round.

The 2015 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, Jack Abraham, has signed with Louisiana Tech and will participate in spring drills for the Bullldogs. As a quarterback at Oxford High School, Abraham threw for over 5,000 yards and 57 touchdowns during his senior season.

Ragin Cajuns star running back Elijah McGuire has joined the UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team. McGuire was a two-sport performer at Vandebilt Catholic, where he was the Terriers starting quarterback and an all-district guard on the basketball team.

The LSU Tigers face a big test on the road tonight when they visit 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. The Aggies are a perfect 5-0 in conference play and feature one of the top players in the SEC in Jalen Jones, who is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds a game. LSU basketball analyst Ricky Blanton says the Tigers can counter with freshman sensation Ben Simmons…

cut 19 (15) “guarding Ben”

The game has an 8PM tipoff and you can watch on ESPN.

Last week UL-Lafayette forward Shawn Long averaged 23 points and over 17 rebounds in leading the Ragin Cajuns to two Sun Belt Conference wins. Apparently, a couple of people took notice. Long was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, College Sports Madness Mid-Major National Player of the Week, the Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week, and the CBS Sports National Player of the Week.

16:45 LRN sportscast Jan 18

LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith and cornerback Tre’Davious White will return for their senior seasons at LSU. Beckwith finished second on the team in tackles in 2015 and White is a three-year starter at cornerback and earned second team All-SEC honors in 2015.

Ragin Cajuns star running back Elijah McGuire is now a member of the UL Lafayette men’s basketball team. McGuire was a two-sport performer at Vandebilt Catholic, where he was the Terriers starting quarterback and an all-district guard on the basketball team.

The 2015 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the has signed with Louisiana Tech and he’ll partcipate in spring drills for the Bullldogs. His name is Jack Abraham and the quarterback threw for over 5,000 yards and 57 touchdowns during his senior season at Oxford High School.

And LSU has lost out on quarterback Dwayne Haskins as he’s committed to Ohio State dropping the Tigers from the number one recruiting class in the country according to 24-7 sports.

It was 10 years ago today the Saints announced Sean Payton as their new head coach. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton has led the Saints to unprecedented success during his tenure. He says Payton has proven that the Black & Gold can do more than just make the playoffs…
cut 6 (10) “organiziation totally”
But the Black and Gold are coming off back-to-back losing seasons. Detillier says fixing the team’s defense will determine how long Payton will remain with the Saints…
cut 8 (11) “…is 2016”

Former ULM Quarterback Doug Pederson was officially named as the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles today. Former LSU Tiger Terry Robiskie is the new offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.