The LSU men’s basketball team’s season is spinning out of control after losing their third straight last night. Arkansas thumped the Tigers 85-65. Forward Ben Simmons registered his 19th double-double, 23 points and 12 rebounds, but ended up fouling out with about two minutes left after picking up a technical foul. The Tigers are now 16-and-12 on the season and their NCAA Tournament hopes seem to be dashed, unless they win the SEC Tournament.

After scoring 59 points in a win over Detroit on Sunday, Anthony Davis was held to nine points in a 109-89 loss to Washington. Davis was just three of nine from the floor. The Wizards John Wall had a triple-double, 16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. New Orleans hosts Oklahoma City on Thursday.

And one other college basketball note…Louisiana Tech announces Qiydar Davis will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury. He averaged 10 points a game, before he got hurt in December.

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.

An ESPN report says the Saints are also set to part ways with the franchise’s leading pass catcher Marques Colston. Colston is 32 years old and had just four touchdown catches last year.

ESPN is reporting the Saints are expected to release its all-time leading receiver Marques Colston and the move could become official in the coming days. Colston is 32-years-old and has 97-hundred receiving yards and caught 72 touchdown passes during his 10 year career.

Tonight the LSU men’s basketball team will visit the Bud Walton Arena where they’ll play the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tigers are 16-11 overall, 9-5 in the SEC, while the Hogs are 13-and-14 overall, six and eight in league play. Coach Johnny Jones says handling the Razorbacks defensive pressure is a top priority…
cut 18 (17) “….make shots”
No Keith Hornsby tonight for LSU as he’ll miss the game with an injury.

After three games, Coach Paul Mainieri has already made a change to his starting line-up. Mainieri says Cole Freeman will be the Tigers starting shortstop for the foreseeable future in the place of freshman Trey Dawson. Dawson struggled in the field and at plate during the opening weekend series as he was 0-for-7 and five strikeouts. Mainieri says with Freeman starting short, O’ Neal Lochridge will start at third base. The Tigers are at Lamar tomorrow night.

Tonight…McNeese State visits ninth ranked Houston. The Cowboys took two of three from Southern Illinois this past weekend. The weather has washed out Northwestern State’s home game with Sacramento State. The teams will play tomorrow at 7. Louisiana Tech’s home opener against Little Rock has also been postponed. The Bulldogs will host 13th ranked UL Lafayette tomorrow night. And ULM’s game against Southern Miss has been re-scheduled for May 17th.

In the NBA…the Pelcians are at Washington. New Orleans is trying to improve its record to 3-0 since the All-Star break.

The LSU men’s basketball team is at Arkansas tonight in a game that is a must have for the Tigers who are on the wrong side of the bubble when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament. LSU will play the game without senior shooting guard Keith Hornsby, who re-aggravated a sports hernia injury that forced him to miss several games earlier this season. Coach Johnny Jones on Hornsby’s absence…:
Cut 16 (15) “we’ll miss him“
Tipoff is at 6pm.

Weekly honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association named both ULM’s Nick Coppola and Louisiana Tech’s Alex Hamilton the men’s basketball co-players of the week. Both players helped lead their respective teams in a pair of conference road games.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is reportedly putting in a bid to host the SEC baseball tournament, which has been held in Hoover, Alabama for the past 18 years. The legislature isn’t wasting time on advancing a bill that would allow a special fund that draws in a portion of excise and sales taxes generated by major events to be paid as an incentive for holding big high-profile action here.

In more college hoops, McNeese fell to Central Arkansas last night 88-82. Northwestern State clobbered Nicholls State 81-67. Today UNO plays at Southeastern. Southern fell to Alabama A&M 78-66.

Coming off the best game of his career Sunday when Anthony Davis put up a whopping 59 points, the power forward and the Pelicans return to action tonight at Washington.

In college baseball, Southern moved their home opener to tomorrow due to weather. On the schedule today is LeMoyne Owen at Grambling. ULM is at Southern Miss. Louisiana Tech hosts Little Rock. Northwestern State hosts Sacramento State. Alabama A&M is at Tulane and McNeese State travels to Houston..

There are reports that senior LSU guard Keith Hornsby could miss the rest of the season with an injury. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Hornbsy re-aggravated a sports hernia injury that kept him out the first part of this season. Coach Johnny Jones said earlier this afternoon that the doctors are still looking at the X-rays and there’s no final prognosis. The Tigers are at Arkansas on tomorrow night.

UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin says small forward Jay Hedgeman has been suspended for the rest of the season due to conduct detrimental to the team. Hedgeman was averaging five points and three rebounds a game. UL Lafayette has lost three in a row and they host Troy on Thursday.

In college hoops tonight…Southern, who is in third place in the SWAC, visits Alabama A-and-M. McNeese State hosts Central Arkansas. The Cowboys have lost six of their last seven. And Northwestern State hosts Nicholls State. Each team has won seven games total this season.

After sweeping Cincinnati over the weekend, the LSU Tigers are ranked in the Top 10 in five of the major college baseball polls. The Tigers made the biggest jump in the Baseball America Poll, where LSU moved up three spots to number eight. UL Lafayette is ranked 10th by Baseball America after sweeping Sam Houston State.

LSU’s Alex Lange has been named SEC Pitcher of the Week. Lange allowed just one hit and struck out nine in 6.2 innings in a four to nothing win over Cincinnati on Saturday.

Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Kyle Cedotal has been named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball. The senior left-hander from Denham Springs threw a complete game shutout on opening night as the Lions blanked ULM two to nothing. Cedotal struck out 14 that night.

After scoring 59 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in a win over Detroit yesterday, the Pelicans are off tonight. They visit the Wizards tomorrow night.

What a performance by the Pelicans Anthony Davis in Sunday’s 111 to 106 win over Detroit. Davis had 59 points and 20 rebounds. He’s only the third player in the last 50 years to score at least 55 points and grab 20 rebounds. The other two are Shaquille O Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. Davis says he couldn’t miss…
cut 30 (13) “…have fun”
The win improves New Orleans record to 22-33 and they are five and a half games back of Houston for the final playoff spot in the West.

Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham has confirmed an ESPN report that says fifth-year senior Keith Hornsby could miss the rest of the season because of an injury. Worsham says Hornsby has been playing in pain all year and apparently he re-aggravated the sports hernia that required surgery at the beginning of the season.

After sweeping Cincinnati in a three-game series, the LSU Tigers remain in the top ten in both the Perfect Game and D-1 Baseball Top 25 polls. Perfect Game has LSU ranked at number five. LSU is ranked 7th by D-1 Baseball. The Ragin Cajuns, who swept Sam Houston State, are ranked 8th and 16th in those two respective polls.

According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, LSU linebacker Deion Jones is one player that’s moved up on teams’ draft boards. Kiper says it’s possible Jones could be selected late in the first round or in the second round. The NFL draft combine starts later this week.

In college hoops tonight…Southern, who is in third place in the SWAC, visits Alabama A-and-M. McNeese State hosts Central Arkansas. The Cowboys have lost six of their last seven. And Northwestern State hosts Nicholls State. Each team has won seven games total this season.

Yesterday….Abilene Christian clipped Southeastern Louisiana 91-80.

NBA fans dropped their jaw in shock at the news that Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis picked up a franchise record 59 points and 20 rebounds to lift New Orleans to a 111-106 win on Sunday. The 22-year-old told reporters after the game that he’s just taking it one day at a time and as he gains experience, his only focus is getting the W….:
CUT 2 (13) “like that tonight”

The LSU men’s basketball team lessened their chances of being invited to the Big Dance following a bad loss to Tennessee on Saturday. The Volunteers easily defeated the Tigers 81-65. It’s the worst loss of the season for LSU. The big issue for the team is that they will likely have to win the rest of its games, including all of their contests in the SEC Tournament in order to get in the NCAA Tourney.

After showing not much power in its first two games of the season, the Tigers brought out the big sticks in the series finale against the University of Cincinnati. LSU hit four home runs, including a grand slam by Bryce Adams, to beat the Bearcats 12-4. Chris Blair had the call on the LSU Sports Radio network…:
CUT 1 (07) “grand slam”
LSU’s next game is Wednesday on the road against Lamar.

Elsewhere in the state, McNeese defeated Southern Illinois 8-4. Grambling fell to Prairie View 4-3. Norhwester State beat Alabama State 8-4. UL-Lafayette had an easy time over Sam Houston State, 13-3. ULM picked up the win over Southeastern, 6-5 in 10 innings. Louisiana Tech fell to UNO 9-6. Nicholls defeated MVSU, 13-3.

More college hoops: Southeastern fell to Abilene Christian 91-80 Sunday. Today Nicholls is at Northwestern State. McNeese hosts Central Arkansas.

It was an exciting night to start the college baseball season. The LSU
Tigers came back on two occasions late in the game to beat Cincinnati
6-5 in 12 innings. Baton Rouge native Jordan Romero had the game winning
hit in his first game in an LSU uniform. Chris Blair had the call on the
LSU Sports Radio Network….
CUT 1 “….Tigers win”
Romero also tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a single.

The Ragin Cajuns celebrated a walk-off win in Lafayette. Former Minden
star Derek Herrington scored the winning run as he crossed the plate on
a wild pitch to give UL Lafayette a 2-1 win over Sam Houston State in 10
innings.

Northwestern State won in 11 innings over Alabama State 1-0. And
Southeastern Louisiana blanked ULM 2-0.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If the Pelicans want to get in the playoffs, they need to win games like
last night and they were able to get the victory as they beat the worst
team in the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers, 121-114. Three players scored
over 20 points led by Anthony Davis, who had 34. Ryan Anderson had 26
and Jrue Holiday added 24 points and dished out 12 assists. New Orleans
is at Detroit on Sunday.

After a home loss to Alabama, The LSU Tigers need to beat Tennessee
today at 4:30 to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The Tigers RPI is
82 and teams with an RPI over 80 usually don’t get an invite to the Big
Dance, unless they win their conference tournament.

Also today…the Ragin Cajuns look to snap a two-game losing streak as
they visit Texas State. ULM is at Texas-Arlington. Both teams have won
four straight.Louisiana Tech travels to UTEP. In the SWAC Southern
visits Alabama State.

The college baseball season gets underway today. Jared Poche gets the start on the mound for the Tigers at Alex Box Stadium as they host Cincinnati. It’s also the debut of Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network. He’s taking over as the voice of the Tigers and he’s eager to call his first game at the Box….
cut 30 (09) “….wrong with you”
First pitch is at 7 PM.

Over at the Tigue, sixth ranked UL Lafayete will host Sam Houston State. The Bearkcats head coach is Matt Deggs, who is a former assistant at UL Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux says Coach Deggs and the Bearkats will provide good compeition to start the season…
cut 19 (08) “…which is good”
Another interesting series to watch is the one in Hammond as Southeastern Louisiana hosts ULM.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star break tonight as they host the Philadelphia 76ers. This is an excellent opportunity for New Orleans to get a win. The 76ers are an NBA worst 8-45. With about 30 games left, the Pels are six games back of Houston for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said on a Baton Rouge radio station this morning that the Tigers chances of getting an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament are not good. Alleva has been on the NCAA Tournament selection committee for the last five years and he says a team with an RPI over 80 has never received an invite into the tournament. LSU’s RPI is 82.

The 16-10 Tigers are at Tennessee tomorrow. In other games of note…the Ragin Cajuns will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they visit Texas State. ULM is at Texas-Arlington. Both teams have won four straight.Louisiana Tech travels to UTEP. In the SWAC Southern visits Alabama State.

It’s opening day of college baseball and several new faces will be on the field for the LSU Tigers. Starting at first base its Greg Deichman. The sophomore from Metairie is expected to carry on LSU’s winning tradition…
cut 17 (14) “….winning tradition”
LSU will host Cincinnati in the first game of the 2016 season. Jared Poche, who won nine games last season, will start for the Tigers.

In other action around the state….Louisiana Tech faces Prairie View in New Orleans. Southern also plays Grambling in New Orleans. ULM is at Southeastern Louisiana. The Ragin Cajuns host Sam Houston State. McNeese State hosts Southern Illinois and Northwestern State takes on Alabama State.

In the NBA…after trading for him yesterday, the Pelicans released Jarnell Stokes today. The Pelicans have also signed guard Bryce Dejean-Jones, who has played in 11 games this season for the Pels and averaged six points and nearly four rebounds a game. New Orleans returns from the All-Star Break tonight as they host the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last night in college basketball…Louisiana Tech defeated Texas San Antonio 87-74. That’s the third straight win for the Bulldogs. Alex Hamilton led the way with 25 points.

ULM won easily over Texas State 76-57. Justin Roberson poured in 21 points and Majok Deng add 16 points for the 14-and-12 Warhawks.

Tough loss for the Ragin Cajuns as they fell to Texas-Arlington in overtime 84-83.

Tomorrow…LSU is at Tennessee. Coach Johnny Jones says Ben Simmons is playing with an injured finger, which may have led to his 10-for-19 free throw performance in the loss to Alabama.

It’s opening day for college baseball as the 7th ranked LSU Tigers host the Cincinnati Bearkats tonight at Alex Box Stadium. Last year, the Tigers reached the College World Series, but the team that will take the field tonight will look different. LSU will have eight new starters in its batting order and Coach Paul Mainieri is expecting some opening night nerves…:
Cut 16 (17) “highest level“

Expectations are also high in Lafayette, where the sixth ranked Ragin Cajuns begin the season tonight by hosting Sam Houston State at Tigue Moore Field. Over three-thousand season tickets have been sold and Coach Tony Robichaux says the players are just as anxious as the fans…:
Cut 18 (10) “have an opponent”

More on the college baseball schedule, Louisiana Tech plays Prairie View in New Orleans this afternoon. Nicholls State hosts Mississippi Valley State. Southern takes on Grambling. ULM is at Southeastern. McNeese State hosts Southern Illinois. Northwestern State hosts Alabama State. Tulane hosts Illinois.

When the LSU baseball tigers take Skip Bertman Field tonight, it’ll be the first call at the Box for the new Voice of the Tigers, Chris Blair. Blair is taking the spot of Jim Hawthorne who retires after the end of men’s basketball season.

College hoops, UL-Lafayette was edged by Texas-Arlington 84-83 in overtime Sun Belt Action. The Ragin Cajuns fell to 10-5 in league play. They’ll play Texas State tomorrow on the road. ULM had an easy time with the Bobcats last night coming away with a 76-57 win — the fourth straight for the Warhawks who play UT Arlington tomorrow. Louisiana Tech got their 20th win on the season after beating Texas San Antonio 87-74. The Bulldogs travel to take on UTEP tomorrow.

Also Saturday LSU travels to face Tennessee after coming off a tough loss to Alabama this week.

The NBA trade deadline hit and the Pelicans are keeping Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon. New Orleans hosts the 76ers tonight.