Saints Coach Sean Payton said on his coach’s show last night that he definitely plans to be back next season. There’s been reports that the Saints and Los Angeles Rams are considering a trade that would send Payton to the West Coast and the Saints would receive draft or player compensation in return. But Payton said last night he plans on honoring the five-year contract he signed in 2016.

Quarterback Drew Brees has said that reports of Payton leaving have been completely made up and said it comes with the territory when you don’t make the playoffs…
cut 16 (14) “…speculation”
And Brees says his plan going forward is to play out the contract he signed in September that keeps him with the Black and Gold through 2017.
LSU has lost a verbal commitment from a linebacker out of Alabama. Three-star prospect Monty Rice now plans on attending Georgia as a mid-year enrolee.

Last night in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma defeated Auburn 35-19 as the Sooners won their 10th straight. The SEC is 6-and-6 in bowl games this year and Alabama still has to play Clemson in the national championship.

The Pelicans took on the World Champs last night as Cleveland upended New Orleans 90-82. LeBron James had 26 points for the Cavs, who have won 13 of their last 15. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for New Orleans. Anthony Davis had 20 points and 17 rebonds in a losing effort.

UL Lafayette looked good on ESPN Two last nigh as the Cajuns rocked Little Rock 69-52. Justin Miller had 15 points

Elsewhere…ULM fell to Arkansas State 76-45. In the Southland, Nicholls, McNeese State and Southeastern Lousiiana were all winners.

The Falcons beat the Saints Sunday in the regular season finale for the two meaning Atlanta clinches the two-seed in the NFC playoffs and a first round bye. The 38-32 loss drops the Saints to 7-9 for the season. It’s reported that New Orleans Coach Sean Payton met with GM Mickey Loomis after the game to discuss the coach’s future with the team. Sources also say the Rams are expected to ask New Orleans for permission to speak with Payton about the vacancy in Los Angeles.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says changes need to be made with the team in the off season, but not much on offense…:
CUT 12 (10) “right tackle”
He says New Orleans needs a top pass rusher and definitely a new special teams coach — and more to avoid yet another losing season.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl kicks off tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as the Auburn Tigers take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Chief Operating Officer for the bowl, Jeff Hundley, says ticket sales weren’t as great as they have been in the past, as attention is shifting away from these bowl games…:
CUT 9 (06) “great tradition”
Kickoff is at 7:30.

The Citrus Bowl was a fun one to watch for LSU fans as the No. 20 Tigers beat No. 13 Louisville 29-9. LSU running back Derrius Guice was the MVP of the game, finishing with 26 carries for 138 yards. Tigers defensive lineman Davon Godchaux will forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft, he announced on social media Sunday.

In college hoops, Louisiana Tech pounced Southern Miss Sunday 79-55. Tulane fell to Cincinnati 92-56.

In the NBA, tonight the Pelicans face the Cavs on the road for a 6pm tip-off.

LSU and Louisville kickoff tomorrow at 10am in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium Citrus Bowl. Louisville comes into this matchup ranked No. 12 in the FBS in total defense, but LSU sideline reporter Gordy Rush doesn’t think this is a team that LSU won’t be able to run the ball against…:
Cut 17 (12) “who’s an edge rusher”
The game, which is the first-ever meeting between the teams in football, will be televised on ABC.

Today Head Coach Ed Orgeron said defensive end Frank Herron did make make the trip to Orlando because of academic reasons, but that he would rejoin the team in the spring.

The LSU men’s basketball announced Thursday before its SEC opener against Vanderbilt that they’ve released Craig Victor from the team for a violation of rules. In the game last night, the Tigers tied a school record for three-pointers made, but they couldn’t stop the Commodores who escaped with a wild 96-89 victory.

LSU and Louisville kickoff tomorrow at 10am in the Camping World Stadium. Tigers’ sideline reporter Gordy Rush says obviously the key in this Citrus Bowl contest is for LSU to stop the Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Rush says the D has to blitz and bring a lot of pressure to the QB like other teams that have beaten the Cardinals have been able to do.:
Cut 16 (07) “operate”
The game, which is the first-ever meeting between the teams in football, will be televised on ABC.

The LSU men’s basketball announced Thursday before its SEC opener against Vanderbilt that they’ve released Craig Victor from the team for a violation of rules. Coach Johnny Jones said it’s disappointing to have to take this action, but it should be an honor and a privilege to wear an LSU uniform. In the game last night, the Tigers tied a school record for three-pointers made, but they couldn’t stop the Commodores who escaped with a wild 96-89 victory.

This Saints season will conclude the same as the previous two; minus a spot in the playoffs. The Black & Gold will either finish 2016 with a familiar 7-9 mark or get to .500 with a win over the NFC South champion Falcons on New Year’s Day. Atlanta has the highest scoring offense in the league, but Saints linebacker Craig Robertson says it’s not anything New Orleans can’t handle…:
CUT 1 (15) “for your offense”
The Dirty Birds have punched their ticket to the playoffs already and with a win Sunday can earn the #2 seed.

Tonight in the NBA, the Pelicans take on the Knicks inside the Smoothie King Center. New York is coming to New Orleans off losses to Boston and Atlanta and haven’t won a game since December 11th. The Pels are on a three game win streak going into the meeting.

Steve Ensminger spoke to reporters in Orlando today for the first time as LSU’s interim offensive coordinator just days before his last game in the role. The Tigers are preparing to take on Louisville in the Citrus Bowl Saturday. Ensminger said he believes Coach O is the right man to be LSU’s head coach, and that Matt Canada is the right replacement as OC. He said he knew Orgeron would have to make a splashy hire in Canada and that it was never a job he intended to interview.

As for the game, LSU sideline reporter Gordy Rush says obviously the key in the contest is for the Tigers to stop the Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson. He says the key is to blitz and bring a lot of pressure to the QB like other teams that have been the Cardinals have been able to do.:
CUT 1 (07) “operate”
Kickoff Saturday is 10am.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says the team isn’t getting down about not making the playoffs once again this season. A victory for New Orleans in Atlanta this Sunday against the Falcons would mean they would avoid a third straight 7-and-9 season and Brees says finishing 500 is a big deal:
CUT 17 (12) “want to go”
The Saints are 7-3 in the Georgia Dome since Brees and Coach Sean Payton arrived in 2006. Kickoff Sunday is 3:25.

The Pelicans had a thrilling victory last night as they surged past the Clippers 102-98, highlighted by a 20 point performance by star Anthony Davis who had a soaring one handed alley oop dunk during a critical fourth-quarter charge. The Pels face the Knicks tomorrow at home.

College hoops, tonight Vanderbilt is in Baton Rouge to face LSU for an 8pm tip off in the PMAC.

The New Orleans Saints will look to avoid another paltry 7-and-9 season as they face the rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees says even though the team has missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive year, spirits are high around the team…:
Cut 18 (19) “every team changes”
Kickoff Sunday is at 3:25.

The New Orleans Pelicans overcame some tough odds last night in their 102-98 victory over the Clippers. The Pels played more than half the game without coach Alvin Gentry who was ejected when arguing with an official. Star Anthony Davis highlighted a 20-point otherwise struggling performance with a one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter to turn things around for the Pels. New Orleans will host New York tomorrow.

Tiger fans are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals. Vice President of Development for the LSU Alumni Association, Rhett Butler, says they’ll have a contingent of fans arriving in Orlando on Friday and that includes a large group who live in Florida. He says there are several reasons why there is interest in this game….:
CUT 7 (08) “big draw”
The team practiced this morning, then this evening will participate in the Day for Kids at Tinker Field near Camping World Stadium.

Last night in college hoops, Northwestern State beats Louisiana College 88-66. Tulane fell to Central Florida 85-72. Southeastern got the victory over Southern 64-53. ULM had an easy time against Grambling winning 81-45. Nicholls State beat Spring Hill 88-64.

Today Vanderbilt comes to the PMAC to face LSU for an 8pm tip-off..

The Saints will look to finish 2016 on a three-game winning streak as they close out the regular season on Sunday against Atlanta. Quarterback Drew Brees on the state of the team heading into week 17…:
Cut 16 (20) “builds confidence”
A victory for New Orleans would mean they would avoid a third straight 7-and-9 season.

The Pelicans had a thrilling victory last night as the surged past the Clippers 102-98, highlighted by a 20 point performance by star Anthony Davis who had a soaring one handed alley oop dunk during a critical fourth-quarter charge. The Pels face the Knicks tomorrow at home.

Last night in college hoops, Northwestern State beats Louisiana College 88-66. Tulane fell to Central Florida 85-72. Southeastern got the victory over Southern 64-53. ULM had an easy time against Grambling winning 81-45. Nicholls State beat Spring Hill 88-64.

Today Vanderbilt comes to the PMAC to face LSU for an 8pm tip-off.

Tiger fans are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals. Vice President of Development for the LSU Alumni Association, Rhett Butler, says they’ll have a contingent of fans arriving in Orlando on Friday and that includes a large group who live in Florida. He says there are several reasons why there is interest in this game….:
CUT 7 (08) “big draw”
He says the plan is to get everyone to Camping World Stadium in Orlando early in the morning for the 11 AM eastern time kickoff.

The Saints take on the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale for the Black and Gold on Sunday. Sunday’s game means a lot for Atlanta. A Falcons win and they secure a first round bye in the NFC playoffs. But running back Mark Ingram says it’s an important game for the Saints too, even though there are no postseason implications for New Orleans….
cut 18 (19) “…a rival”
Fullback John Kuhn and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe did not practice for the Saints. Center Max Unger and linebacker Craig Robertson were listed as limited on the practice report.

The LSU Tigers had their first practice in Orlando today. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, defensive backs Kristian Fulton and Ed Paris were getting snaps with the first-team.

Southern Lab linebacker Chris Allen was named Defensive Player of the Year in Louisiana by the USA Today. The six-foot-four, 235 pounder had 82 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and six sacks as he helped the Kittens win back-to-back division four titles.

One of the top running backs in the country has decided to play for Florida State, instead of LSU. Cam Akers from Clinton, Mississippi, gave his verbal commitment to the Seminoles.

Louisiana Tech fans will miss wide receiver Carlos Henderson. He’s decided to leave school early and enter the NFL draft after catching 19 touchdown passes this season.

The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at the Smoothie King Center at 7 PM. New Orleans is attempting to win its third game in a row.

Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-7 on the year.

Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Jaguars beat the Lions last year with a three-pointer at the buzzer. Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by hosting Central Florida.

The Saints are getting back to work today, getting ready for the regular season finale at Atlanta. A win and New Orleans will finish with an 8-and-8 record, but they’ll miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Head Coach Sean Payton says he’d rather finish the season with a win than a loss…
cut 17 (14) “…another game”
It will be the final game for the Saints in the Georgia Dome. They are 7-and-3 in that stadium since 2006 and five of the last seven games played between these two teams in that building have been decided by three points or less.

The LSU Tigers had their first practice in Orlando today as they continue to get ready for Saturday’s Citrus Bowl matchup against the Louisville Cardinals. The Tigers are a three point favorite to win.

The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at the Smoothie King Center at 7 PM. L-A is already without Blake Griffin because of a knee injury and Chris Paul and J-J Reddick are questionable with injuries. New Orleans is attempting to win its third game in a row.

Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-7 on the year. This will be 11th meeting on the hardwood between these two schools and the Warhawks lead the all-time series as they’ve won seven of the ten previous matchups.

Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Jaguars beat the Lions last year with a three-pointer at the buzzer. Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by hosting Central Florida. Nicholls takes on Spring Hill in Thibodaux and Northwestern State plays host to Louisiana College.

Louisiana Tech receiver Carlos Henderson has announced he’ll forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Henderson caught 19 touchdown passes and had 1,535 yards receiving in 2016.