Tonight at the Maravich Center it’s the final regular season home game for the LSU Tigers as they host Missouri. The Bayou Bengals enter this contest with a record of 17-12, 10-6 in the Southeastern Conference, one game back of Kentucky and Texas A-and-M, who occupy first place in the league standings. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The Girls Top 28 State Tournament is underway in Hammond. Tonight it’s the Class Five-A semifinals as Natchitoches Central faces Mount Carmel and Denham Springs battles Mandeville.

The Sun Belt Conference announced today that football member schools New Mexico State and Idaho are leaving the league following the 2017 season. Which means the Sun Belt will be a 10-team league in 2018 as Coastal Carolina is still set to join the conference. Commissioner Karl Benson says geography and the fact that New Mexico State and Idaho haven’t won many football games, went into the decision by the league presidents to remove those two schools.

Saints Owner Tom Benson released a statement today regarding the release of wide receiver Marques Colston. Benson said there have been very few players in our franchise’s history that have represented this team with the class, dignity and performance of Marques Colston. After 10 seasons, Colston leaves New Orleans as the team’s all-time leading receiver. He also holds the franchise’s mark for most receiving yards and touchdowns.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Colston will be tough to replace, but he advises against the Saints using an early draft pick to find his replacement…
cut 18 (13) “….than receiver”

It’s a light schedule of college baseball games tonight. UNO is at UL Lafayette and ULM hosts Valparaiso.

LSU is at Nicholls State tomorrow. Coach Paul Mainieri has named Kramer Robertson as his new starting shortstop.

If you go to Marques Colston’s website, the Colston Project, you can find a thank you to the Saints franchise and fans for his 10 years in New Orleans. The team’s all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns was released after a sensational career in the Crescent City. Colston says in his thank you that it’s been an honor to wear the Black and GolD and he looks forward to the next chapter of his career. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Colston goes down as the Saints best receiver in the franchise’s history…
cut 17 (09) “…short yardage in the field”
Detillier says Colston will be tough to replace, but believes the Saints should use its first couple of draft picks to fix the defense.

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry says they expect Anthony Davis will play tomorrow night when New Orleans visits Houston. A-D missed Saturday’s loss to Minnesota because of a sprained right toe.

It’s the final regular season home game for the LSU men’s basketball team as they take on the Missouri Tigers. Before the contest, seniors Keith Hornsby, Josh Gray and Henry Shortess will be recognized. Hornsby will miss his third straight game with a sports hernia. Even without Hornsby, the Tigers should win. Missouri is just 10-19 on the season, 3-13 in the SEC. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Last night in college hoops…Nicholls State kept its hopes alive to reach the Southland Conference Tournament as they defeated UNO 80-76. McNeese State won its first road game of the year as the Cowboys defeated Lamar 77-74. Southeastern Louisiana edged Northwestern State 84-82. Jordan Capps had 29 points and 19 rebounds as the Lions won their 7th straight home game. And in the SWAC…Mississippi Valley edged Southern 58-57.

The Girls Top 28 tournament gets underway in Hammond today.

The Saints have released Marques Colston — their all time leading receiver. Colston was a consistent performer for the Black and Gold during his 10 seasons in New Orleans, catching 72 touchdown passes and posting over 97-hundred receiving yards. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it will be difficult for the Saints to replace his production…:
Cut 16 (14) “wide receiver position“
The Saints will save $3.2 million dollars in cap space by releasing Colston.

LSU President F. King Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk due to the state’s budget situation. He says unless enough revenue is raised, they may have to close summer school meaning some players wouldn’t be able to earn needed credits…:
CUT 1 (09) “eligible”

The LSU Baseball team is ranked No. 7 in this week’s Baseball America Top 25. UL-Lafayette dropped to NO. 16 after a 1-3 week.

The LSU men’s basketball team’s chances of making it to the NCAA tournament are slim as they head in to tonight’s second-to-last SEC regular season game against Missouri at the PMAC. Senior Keith Hornsby said Monday that his sports hernia injury is improving, but he won’t be able to play tonight. Meanwhile the US Basketball Writers Association announced Monday and LSU freshman Ben Simmons is a finalist for national player of the year and the best freshman in the country. Also of note, tonight’s game will be the final call for retiring play-by-play man Jim Hawthorne at the PMAC. The first 1500 fans in will get a Hawthorne bobble head.

Elsewhere in college hoops, Southeastern Louisiana couldn’t get by Northwestern State in Hammond picking up the 84-82 win.

Nicholls State held on to beat New Orleans 80-76 last night in Thibodaux. Grambling was edged by Mississippi Valley State at home, 58-57.

On the road, McNeese State got the win over Lamar. 77-44. The Cowboys have won back-to-back games following a four game skid.

The Saints made it official today by releasing their all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, Marques Colston. The man nicknamed as “Quiet Storm” had his contract terminated with the designation “failed physical.” Colston has been a steady performer for the Black and Gold the last decade, as he caught over seven-hundred passes for 97-hundred yards and 72 touchdowns. But was never named to a Pro Bowl team.

In other Saints news….ESPN is reproting free-agent linebacker James Laurinatis will meet wtih the Black and Gold tomorrow.

LSU President F. King Alexander stands by his comments that Fighting Tigers football is at risk, unless the state comes up with the necessary funding to prevent huge budget cuts….
cut 24 (08) “…eligible”
Alexander says the talk of budget cuts is impacting recruiting.

The LSU baseball Tigers remain ranked in the top ten in the major college baseball polls, despite losing two games last week. The Bayou Bengals won easily yesterday as they defeated Sacramento State 11 to 1. The winning pitcher was John Valek, who allowed one run in seven inngs and struck out six. Coach Paul Mainieri says Valek was the story of the game, by throwing strikes and keeping Sac State’s hitters off balance…
cut 18 (20) “…the game”
The Tigers return to action on Wednesday when they visit Nicholls State.

UL Lafayette lost three games last week and they fell nine spots in the Perfect Game poll to 17. Baseball America has the Cajuns ranked 16th.

It should be a good weekend for college baseball across the state. After blowing an eight run lead and losing to Lamar on Wednesday, the LSU Tigers return to action to host Sacramento State tonight. Last weekend the Hornets took two of three from Auburn and beat Northwestern State in a midweek matchup. Jared Poche starts on the hill for LSU tonight, while Sac State counters with Sam Long, who is described as a hard-throwing left-hander. First pitch is at 7 PM.

Also this weekend, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Troy. Kyle Cedotal who struck out 14 hitters last week, will get the start tonight for the Lions. Louisiana Tech hosts UT Arlington. The Bulldogs are coming off a big win over sixth ranked UL Lafayette.

The Ragin Cajuns are in Houston, where they’ll play TCU, Texas Tech and Rice over the next three days at Minute Maid Park.

And Northwestern State begins a three-game series tonight against Southern Miss.

At today’s NFL combine, Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon ran a 4.58 in the 40. Dixon is considered one of the top five running backs in the draft. The draft will take place from April 28th to the 30th.

Ben Simmons and the LSU Tigers look to snap their three-game losing streak tomorrow night against the Florida Gators….
cut 30 (11) “…communication really”
Before the game there will be a ceremony to unveil a new statue of LSU legendary basketball player Bob Petit. The statue will stand in front of the basketball practice facility.

Other games of note on Saturday…the Ragin Cajuns are at South Alabama. ULM, who has won six in a row, visits 9-and-19 Troy. Southern faces Alcorn State and Louisiana Tech looks for its fifth straight victory as they host Rice.

The Pelicans take on Minnesota at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night.

The New Orleans Saints appear to be closing in a contract extension for both Sean Payton and Quarterback Drew Brees. On Pro Football Talk Thursday, Payton says he’s finalizing a new deal with the Black and Gold, and also on the NFL NEtwork that he anticipates a Brees extension will be no problem.

Great game last night in New Orleans as the Pelicans post a nice win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony Davis scored 30 points in the 123-119 victory, while Ryan Anderson added 26. Jrue Holiday put up 22. The Pels host the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night in the Smoothie King Center.

In college hoops, ULM is now on a six game winning streak after picking up a nice 66-59 victory Thursday night over South Alabama. The Warhawks will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Troy for a 4:15 p.m. Louisiana Tech needed overtime to pick up the 73-62 win over North Texas. The Bulldogs move into a third-place tie with Middle Tennessee in C-USA.

More hoops, the Ragin’ Cajuns rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to claim a 73-63 win over Troy in a Sun Belt Conference game. The Cajuns will return to action on Saturday against South Alabama.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has submitted a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament at Zephyr Field in Metairie from 2017 to 2021. Several other cities are also bidding, including Nashville. But GNOSF President Jay Cicero says we have the biggest college baseball fan base of any area in the nation within driving distance, plus other assets….:
cut 4 (06) “time high”

College baseball today: LSU hosts Sacramento State, Northwestern State is at Southern Miss, Troy is at Southeastern, Louisiana Tech hosts UT Arlington, UL-Lafayette plays TCU, Tulane & Arizona, Pittsburgh, Southern @ Auburn, Nicholls State at UMASS Lowell.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton tells Pro Football Talk that he’s close to finalizing a new contract with the team. Payton didn’t give any details on the contract extension, but said he sees himself with the Black and Gold for at least the next four to five years. The head coach also expressed confidence that the team will work out a contract extension with quarterback Drew Brees, who is entering the last year of his deal.

In the NBA tonight…the Pelicans host the Oklahoma City Thunder. We’ll see how Anthony Davis bounces back from a nine point performance in a losing effort to Washington on Tuesday.

In college hoops tonight…ULM is at South Alabama. The Warhawks are on a five game winning streak. The Ragin Cajuns have lost three in a row and they are at Troy. And Louisiana Tech hosts North Texas. The Bulldogs are in fourth place in Conference USA and the top four teams will receive a bye to the quarterfinals in the conference tournament.

Two big upsets in college baseball last night as a pair of teams ranked in the top ten go down in defeat. Fifth ranked LSU blew an eight-run lead and lost to Lamar 12-11. Third baseman O’Neal Lochridge blasted a three-run homer in an eight-run second inning for the Tigers, but LSU’s pitching staff couldn’t hold the lead. They walked eight batters and hit four others. Rough outing for Riley Smith as he allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings.

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech defeated sixth ranked UL Lafayette six to two. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the fifth inning. Raphael Gladu and Marshall Boggs each drove in two runs and Tyler Clancy struck out a career-high nine hitters to earn the victory on the mound.

In other action….Sacramento State doubled up Northwestern State four to two, Alabama crushed Nicholls State 13-1, Southeastern Louisiana thumped Alcorn State 15 to 3 and Tulane blanked Alabama A-and-M seven to nothing.

Two big upsets in college baseball last night as a pair of teams ranked in the top ten go down in defeat. Fifth ranked LSU blew an eight-run lead and lost to Lamar 12-11. Third baseman O’Neal Lochridge blasted a three-run homer in an eight-run second inning for the Tigers, but LSU’s pitching staff couldn’t hold the lead. They walked eight batters and hit four others. Rough outing for Riley Smith as he allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings.

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech defeated sixth ranked UL Lafayette six to two. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the fifth inning. Raphael Gladu and Marshall Boggs each drove in two runs and Tyler Clancy struck out a career-high nine hitters to earn the victory on the mound.

In other action….Sacramento State doubled up Northwestern State four to two, Alabama crushed Nicholls State 13-1, Southeastern Louisiana thumped Alcorn State 15 to 3 and Tulane blanked Alabama A-and-M seven to nothing.

The Pelicans host Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Smoothie King Center. Durant is averaging almost 28 points a game, while Westbrook is averaging 24 points and 10 assists a contest. New Orleans has won eight of its last eleven home games. Tip-off is at 7:00.

LSU baseball had a tough loss on the road last night to Lamar, after getting out to a big lead. The Tigers fell to the persistent Cardinals 12-11. Lamar improves to 5-0 on the year, and it was the first loss of the season for LSU. The tigers erupted for eight runs on six hits in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead. But Lamar continued to rally to eventually lock the victory. LSU will play host to Sacramento State at 7 p.m. CT Friday in Game 1 of a three-game series in Alex Box Stadium.

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has once again been ruled mentally competent to handle his affairs, after a Louisiana appeals court upheld a civil judge’s ruling. Benson removed his heirs from ownership positions of the NFL and NBA clubs, naming his wife the primary successor. They argued their father wasn’t competent to make call, but the judges disagreed. Benson released a statement that said he hopes one day soon all of his estranged heirs ungratefulness will end.

In college hoops, Tulane falls to East Carolina in New Orleans last night 79-73. In Hammond, Southeastern picked up the win over UNO, 93-81. JaMichael Hawkins hit six 3 pointers and scored 29 points to lead the Lions. Today ULM travels to face South Alabama. UL-Lafayette is at Troy. and Louisiana Tech hosts North Texas.

Back to college baseball, Tulane shutout Alabama A&M last night 7-0. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech got the in-state rivalry win over UL-Lafayette 6-2. Southeastern had no problem against Alcorn State, picking up the 15-3 victory. UNO drops to Southern Miss 7-4. Nicholls State was clobbered by Alabama, 13-1. Northwestern State fell to Sacramento State 4-2. Southern baseball’s home opener against Jackson State was called off due to a wet outfield.

The Saints have reportedly cut cornerback Brandon Browner. He’d hinted on social media on February 5th that he’d be saying goodbye to New Orleans, and now it seems like the Saints will make the official announcement next week.

In the NBA, The Pelicans host the Kevin Durrant and the OKlahoma City Thunder. Tipoff is 7pm.

An appeals court has upheld a New Orleans judge’s ruling that says Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is mentally competent to run both professional franchises. Benson’s daughter Renee Benson and grandchildren Rita and Ryan Leblanc have argued that the 88-year-old Benson is not competent to make big business decisions. It’s unclear if Benson’s estranged heirs will file appeal as they fight to gain ownership of the teams after Mr. Benson passes away. Benson released a statement that said he hopes one day soon all of their ungratefulness will end and he can continue to enjoy his work with the Saints and Pelicans.

The 5th ranked LSU baseball team is in Beaumont tonight to take on the Lamar Cardinals. Both teams are undefeated on the season. Austin Bain will start on the mound for the Tigers. It’s his first start since offseason shoulder surgery. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech takes on sixth ranked UL Lafayette in the Bulldogs home opener.

The Saints will reportedly officially cut ties with cornerback Brandon Browner on March ninth. Browner has already hinted that he would be done in New Orleans after one season, when he sent out a couple of tweets saying goodbye to the Who Dat Nation. Browner had a rough 2015 as he was the victim of several big plays and called for his fair share of penalties.

According to WBRZ-TV injured Southern football player Devon Gales will return to Baton Rouge in the next few days. Gales has been rehabbing in Atlanta since fracturing his neck in several places in the Jaguars game against Georgia on September 26th. Gales underwent several surgeries to get to this point. He’s still in a wheel chair, but doctors are impressed with the progress he’s made.

In college basketball…the LSU Tigers losing streak as hit three games after losing by 20 points to Arkansas last night. The Bayou Bengals are 16-and-12 and out of the picture when it comes to reaching the NCAA Tournament.