Eric Konkol was named as the new head coach of the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball program today. Konkol comes to Ruston after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Miami, before that he was an assistant at George Mason for seven seasons. Konkol helped Miami win 25 games last season.

At Saints rookie minimp, Coach Sean Payton said he was impressed with third round pick and quarterback Garrett Grayson. Grayson says running a pro style offense at Colorado State should help him learn the Saints playbook…
cut 17 (15) “….for me”
Grayson says he has no problem with learning from Drew Brees, while watching from the sidelines, until Brees decides to retire.

UL Lafayette and LSU have reached the super regionals of the NCAA Softball Tournament. LSU beat Arizona State twice yesterday to advance. They won the first game five to nothing and then won the second game four to three in nine innings. The Cajuns are headed to the Super Regionals after a nine to one win over Baylor.

The number one ranked LSU Tigers captured their 16th SEC regular season championship over the weekend and will enter this weeks SEC Baseball Tournament as the number one seed. The Tigers are two-time defending tournament champions and get a bye in the first round. LSU will see their first action Wednesday afternoon against the winner of Tuesday’s Kentucky versus Auburn matchup.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is this week in Sugar Land, Texas and Louisiana schools hold the top four seeds. Regular season conference champion Southeastern Louisiana comes in as the top seed followed by Northwestern State, Nicholls State, and then McNeese State taking the number four seed. All four teams will see first round action this Wednesday.

UL-Lafayette’s sweep of ULM gave the Ragin Cajuns the number three seed in the Sun Belt Baseball Tournament while sending the Warhawks home for the season. The Cajuns will face Texas State in a first round matchup Wednesday afternoon.

Tulane enters the American Athletic Conference Baseball Tourney as the number three seed. They’ll take on UConn Wednesday afternoon.

The Saints held a rookie minicamp over the weekend. A chance for the coaches to get a look at the players that were recently drafted or signed as free agents out of college. That includes third-round draft pick and quarterback Garrett Grayson. Coach Sean Payton says he was impressed with what he saw from Grayson…

cut 16 (13) “really effective”

Grayson says running a pro style offense at Colorado State should help him learn the Saints playbook.

Louisiana Tech is set to introduce its new men’s basketball coach at a press conference this morning. Miami Assistant Coach Eric Konkol is expected to be the guy to lead the Bulldogs after Michael White stepped down to take the head coaching job at Florida.

The Saints’ rookie mini camp takes place this weekend at the team’s headquarters in Metairie. The three-day camp is an opportunity get a first look at this year’s draft picks and un-drafted free agents will battle for an invite to training camp. As far as the un-drafted free agents attending mini camp, Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is high on wide receiver RJ Harris out of New Hampshire. Garic admits it may be a long shot for Harris to make the team, but he is intrigued…:
CUT 18 (11) “of Missouri”
Garic is impressed with the players the Saints selected in this year’s draft.

In high school baseball semifinal action….in 2A Oak Grove beat Runnels 5-1 and defending champ Kinder beat top seeded Doyle 6-1. ULL commiment Dylan Poncho drove in 4 runs and was the winning pitcher. Oak Grove and Kinder play for 2A title tomorrow at 3pm.

The top ranked LSU Tigers still hold a half-game lead over Vanderbilt in the SEC standings despite a 10-7 loss to South Carolina last night. The Tigers had a four run lead after 5 innings, but the Gamecocks exploded with a total of eight runs in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory. LSU’s Jake Godfrey gets tagged with the loss after starting the seventh and giving up four runs on one hit with four walks and no strikeouts. The series resumes tonight at 7 and you can watch on ESPNU.

In the Southland Conference, Southeastern Louisiana clinched its first ever Southland Conference regular season championship after a 5-0 win over UNO. Central Arkansas got past McNeese State 5-4 and Northwestern State blanked Nicholls State 7-0.

In Sun Belt action, UL-Lafayette pounded ULM 10-3. First pitch for game two of their series is set for 6PM tonight.

Also, Marshall edged Louisiana Tech 7-6 and Memphis defeated Tulane 7-3.

The Saints’ rookie mini camp takes place this weekend at the team’s headquarters in Metairie. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic says says there is excitement around the team’s two first round draft picks, offensive tackle Andrus Peat from Stanford and linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson. He says a lot of eyes will be on third round pick, quarterback Garrett Grayson from Colorado State…

cut 17 (08) “ability he has”

As far as the undrafted free agents attending mini camp, Garic is high on wide receiver RJ Harris out of New Hampshire.

According to a new Sports Illustrated report, the reason that former LSU Tiger and current Dallas Cowboy La’el Collins was questioned in the death of his ex-girlfriend Brittany Mills is because the victim’s daughter mentioned the offensive lineman’s name. There is no confirmation of that detail from the Baton Rouge Police Department. An arrest has yet to be made in Mills’ case. Collins, who was not drafted, signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys for $1.65 million.

The top ranked LSU Tigers had a four run lead after 5 innings, but South Carolina exploded with a total of eight runs in the sixth and seventh to take a 10-7 win last night. Gamecock reliever Reed Scott picks up the win. LSU’s Jake Godfrey gets tagged with the loss after starting the seventh inning and giving up four runs on one hit with four walks and no strikeouts. The series resumes tonight at 7 and you can watch on ESPNU. LSU still holds a half-game lead over Vanderbilt, who defeated Alabama last night, in the overall SEC standings.

In the Southland, Central Arkansas edged McNeese State 5-4, Northwestern State blanked Nicholls State 7-0, and Southeastern Louisiana clinched its first ever Southland Conference regular season championship after a 5-0 win over UNO.

In Sun Belt action, UL-Lafayette pounded ULM 10-3. First pitch for game two is 6PM tonight.

Marshall squeaked past Louisiana Tech 7-6 and Memphis upended Tulane 7-3.

The Saints’ rookie mini camp takes place this weekend at the team’s headquarters in Metairie. The three-day camp is an opportunity get a first look at this year’s draft picks and undrafted free agents will battle for an invite to training camp. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is impressed with the players the Black and Gold selected in this year’s draft and says the team stayed true to what they said they believed in with this draft class…

cut 16 (08) “off the field”

Garic says there is excitement around the team’s two first round draft picks, offensive tackle Andrus Peat from Stanford and linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson.

In basketball news…there’s a report the Pelicans are waiting to see if Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau will be available before starting their head coach search. Thibodeau’s Bulls were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by Cleveland last night and there’s talk he won’t be asked to return as Chicago’s coach.

ESPN has announced that LSU will host Oklahoma as part of the ESPN-Big 12 challenge on Saturday January 30th.

The number one ranked LSU Baseball team can win a Southeastern Conference championship tonight if the Tigers beat South Carolina and Vanderbilt loses to Alabama. This is also a big series for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are 12-15 in the SEC and fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri says they are expecting big crowds at Carolina Stadium, a place they’ve had some success at ….
cut 18 (19) “…than this”
Tonight’s game begins at six PM.

Also getting underway at six P-M, U-L-M hosts U-L Lafayette. The Warhawks are still trying to nail down a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. And Louisiana Tech concludes its regular season with a three-game series against Marshall that starts at six PM.

Southeastern Louisiana can win its first Southland Conference championship tonight with a win over UNO. Northwestern State is in second place and they host Nicholls State tonight. The Colonels have won nine in a row. Also, McNeese State is at Central Arkansas. The Cowboys are 17-and-10 on the league.

In basketball news…ESPN has announced that LSU will host Oklahoma as part of the ESPN-Big 12 challenge on Saturday January 30th.

And there’s a report the Pelicans are waiting to see if Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau will be available before starting their heading coach search. Thibodeau’s Bulls could be eliminated tonight and there’s talk he won’t return as Chicago’s coach.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham has been voted to be on the cover of the EA Sports Maden NFL 16 video game. Beckham beat out Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski a in vote by the fans.

When the top ranked Tigers take on South Carolina tonight, it will be the 4,000th in LSU program history. LSU also has a chance with a win tonight and a Vanderbilt loss to clinch the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. Shortstop Alex Bregman says it’s a great opportunity for the team…
cut 17 (15) “….tough test”
This is also a big series for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are 12-15 in the SEC and fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

ULM is fighting for a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Warhawks are currently in a tie for seventh place as they begin a three-game series tonight against the Ragin Cajuns who are in fourth place.

And Southeastern Louisiana can win its first Southland Conference Conference championship with a win tonight over UNO.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham has been voted to be on the cover of the EA Sports Maden NFL 16 video game. Beckham beat out Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski a in vote by the fans.

For the LSU football team to have a lot of success in 2015, they’ll need good play from its defensive line and hope the front four can put more pressure on the quarterback. Coach Les Miles says defensive tackles Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux will be able to give them great push and he says the Tigers have some young ends who improved this past spring…
cut 30 (20) “….as well”

And there’s a report the Pelicans are waiting to see if Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau will be available before starting their heading coach search. Thibodeau’s Bulls could be eliminated tonight and there’s talk he won’t return as Chicago’s coach.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham Junior has been selected to be on the cover of the EA Sports Madden NFL 16 video game. The New Orleans native has become one of the most popular players in the NFL thanks to his acrobatic catches during his rookie campaign in 2015.

Senior Jared Foster is expected to start at second base tonight when the number one ranked LSU baseball team visits South Carolina. Foster, who was ruled academically ineligible last week, was reinstated after an “obscure” NCAA rule was uncovered that restored his eligibility. Foster on his reaction to re-joining the team…
cut 16 (15) “…this way”
LSU has a chance with a win tonight and a Vanderbilt loss to clinch the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. First pitch in Columbia is at 6 PM.

Southeastern Louisiana is closing in on winning the program’s first Southland Conference regular season championship. If the Lions win over UNO tonight, they’ll accomplish that feat.

A Northwestern State loss tonight would also give S-L-U the title. The Demons host red-hot Nicholls State tonight. The Colonels have won nine straight.

In the Sun Belt…the Ragin Cajuns close out the regular season with a three-game series against in-state rival ULM. U-L Lafayette is in fourth place in the league standings and can finish anywhere from second to sixth place. The Warhawks are trying to clinch a spot in the Sun Belt tourney as they are currently in a tie for seventh place in the league.

The SWAC Tournament is already underway….Southern and Grambling are both in the winner’s bracket. Southern defeated Jackson State ten to five yesterday, while Grambling beat Alabama A-and-M 8-3. The Tigers take on Texas Southern tonight, while the Jags face Alabama State at 3 this afternoon.

LSU senior second baseman Jared Foster is back with the Tigers baseball team. He was reinstated after he won an appeal that restored his eligibility. Foster was ruled academically ineligible for the rest of the season last week, but he was allowed back on the team thanks to an obscure NCAA rule that was uncovered. Foster says he’s appreciative for his second chance….
cut 30 (13) “…stay focused”
Foster is expected to be at second base tomorrow night when the Tigers visit South Carolina.

Today at the SWAC Baseball Touranment…Grambling State beat Alabama A-and-M eight to three. Grambling scored four runs in the first inning and catcher Roger Diaz had three hits and drove in three runs. Southern banged out 15 hits in a 10-5 win over Jakcson State. J’Markus George pitched eight innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out ten for the win.

Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps has a big decision to make as he looks for a new head coach. Demps believes the head coaching opening New Orleans is an attractive one….
cut 16 (09) “…right direction”
Demps and the Pelicans front office is looking to build on last season’s campaign, which saw New Orleans win 45 games and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

According to CBS-Sports Jon Rothstein, LSU and Houston have agreed to a four-year home and home series in basketball. The two teams will play each other on December 13th in Houston.

Last night in college baseball…LSU thumped UNO nine to one, Nicholls State won its ninth straight as they defeated U-L Lafayette five to four, thanks to a walk-off home run by Seth Stevens. And Louisiana Tech hit two grand slams in a 13-8 win over Northwestern State.

New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps says the decision to release Monty Williams as head coach was one agreed to by everyone within the organization. Williams led the Pels to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, but Demps says the firing decision was not based on what did or did not happen…

cut 14 (08) “moving forward”

Demps says he is going to lead the coaching search which is underway immediately.

In college baseball, the number one ranked LSU Tigers rolled past UNO last night 9-1. Grayson Byrd went 2-5 at the plate and had four RBIs to highlight the Bayou Bengals 12-hit effort. LSU improves to 44-8 as they travel to South Carolina for a three game series beginning Thursday night.

And LSU will play that series with second baseman Jared Foster. Foster had been declared academically ineligible for the rest of the season, but his eligibility was restored after an appeal.

Seth Stevens’ walk-off home run gave Nicholls State a 5-4 win over UL-Lafayette last night at Ray Diddier Field. The win gives the Colonels their first season sweep of the Ragin’ Cajuns since 1996 and extends Nicholls current winning streak to nine games. With the loss, the Cajuns fall to 31-20 overall and will head to Monroe to face ULM in their final regular season Sun Belt series. The Colonels improve to 33-16-1 on the season as they will travel to Natchitoches to wrap up the regular season against Southland Conference rival Northwestern State.

Speaking of the Demons, they fell to Louisiana Tech 13-8. Junior Zac Burger and Senior Colby Johnson each hit a grand slams for the Bulldogs in the contest. Northwestern falls to 29-20. Tech improves to 24-25 and they’ll host Marshall in their regular season finale this weekend.

Southern Miss scored six runs in the fourth inning on their way to beating Tulane 8-4. The Green Wave drops to 31-20 on the year and will travel to Memphis to take on the Tigers in a three game series beginning tomorrow night.