The LSU Tigers are now ranked Fifth in the country by D-1 Baseball and Collegitate Baseball after losing two of three from the Kentucky Wildcats this past weekend. The Tigers lost 12-10 in eleven innings yesterday. LSU had a 10-9 lead in the ninth inning, but with two outs, Wildcats pinch hitter Riley Mahan hit an inside the park home run, when left fielder Jared Foster dove for his liner, missed it and then shortstop Alex Bregman slipped and fell while retrieving the baseball. Coach Paul Mainieri…
cut 17 (13) “…kept running”
The Tigers face the Ragin Cajuns tomorrow night in New Orleans in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. U-L Lafayette blanked Arkansas State three to nothing yesterday to take two of three in that series.

Here’s a story that will make Saints fans happy. The NFL has taken away the Falcons 2016 fifth round draft pick as a result of piping in fake crowd noise during their home games. The franchise was also fined 350-thousand dollars.

In the NBA….the Pelicans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110 to 88 last night. But New Orleans remains two games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the West. That’s because the Thunder topped the Suns 109-97 last night. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip against the Lakers on Wednesday.

Tonight is Game One of the C-B-I championship between U-L-M and Loyola of Chicago. Game one is tonight in Chi-town. Tip-off is set at 7 PM. The Ramblers are 22-and-13 and led by Milton Doyle and Christian Thomas, who each average 11 points a game.

And in spring football news…LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterback Anthony Jennings has been better on more days this spring as he battles with Brandon Harris to remain the Tigers starting QB.

When the polls come out later today, it’s likely the LSU Tigers will no longer be ranked number one after a wild series with the Wildcats of Kenutcky. LSU could not hold on to a three-run lead in the eighth and ended up losing to Kentucky 12-10 in 11 innings yesterday. Shortstop Alex Bregman says LSU didn’t get a lot of baseball fortune during the three-game series…

cut 16 (19) “best weekend”

It’s the first weekend series the Tigers have lost this year as they fall to 5-and-4 in SEC play.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette took two of three from Arkansas State and ULM dropped two of three to South Alabama. However, ULM Coach Bruce Peddie did pick up his 400th career win yesterday.

The College Basketball Invitational Championship Series kicks off tonight as the ULM Warhawks face Loyola-Chicago in the Windy City beginning at 7PM. The 24-12 Warhawks made it to the best-of-three championship series after defeating Eastern Michigan, Mercer, and Vermont. The Ramblers come into the match up with a 22-13 record. Game two will be played Wednesday night in Monroe.

The UL-Lafayette women’s basketball team is the 2015 Women’s Basketball Invitational champions. The Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Sienna 52-50 to claim the crown. Tournamment MVP Keke Veal lead all scorers with 20 points. The Cajuns’ Jaylyn Gordon and Kia Wilridge were also named to the all-tournament team. UL-Lafayette ends their season with a 23-12 record.

The Pelicans have now won two straight after crushing Minnesota 110-88. Anthony Davis lead the way for the Pels with 28, followed by Omer Asik’s 15. The Pelicans improve to 39-34, two-and-a-half games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Pels head west to take on the Lakers Wednesday night.

For the second week in a row, LSU has dropped the first game of its weekend series. The Fighting Tigers let a two-run lead evaporate in the seventh and went on to lose five to four in 12 innings against the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU’s two, three, and four hitters, Mark Laird, Alex Bregman and Conner Hale were a combined two for 15 at the plate.

In the Sun Belt, both U-L Lafayette and U-L-M were pounded. the Cajuns lost 10 to 4 to Arkansas State, while the Warhawks fell to South Alabama 12 to 4.

In the Southland…Southeastern Louisiana remains in first plaace after beating Nicholls State three to one. Tate Scioneaux went the distance for a complete game victory win. Northwestern State is a half game back of the Lions. The Demons defeated McNeese State six to four. Northwestern’s Cort Brinson hit a three-run home run.

Louisiana Tech plays a doubleheader today against Charlotte so does Southern and Grambling in Baton Rouge.

NFL coaches, scouts and executives were on LSU’s campus yesterday for Pro Day. Offesnive tackle La’el Collins should be the first Tiger drafted on April 30th. Collins says one team that’s interested in him is the New Orleans Saints….
cut 30 (14) “…is great you know”
Running back Terrence Magee’s 40-yard dash was 4.53, while Kenny Hilliard was 4.6, which was down from the 4.83 that he ran at the draft combine in Indianapolis last month.

Spring football games will take play today for U-L Lafayette, U-L-M and Nicholls State.

The Pelicans ended a four-game losing streak last night with a 102 to 88 win over Sacramento. Tyreke Evans had 25 points and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis had 24 points and nine rebounds. New Orleans moves within three games of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the West.

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Kentucky. Senior Jared Foster is expected to be in the line-up. He’s hitting .348 with five home runs after hitting just .115 last year. Coach Paul Mainieri made Foster the starting second baseman at the start of SEC play and has no plans of moving the former outfielder somewhere else…
cut 18 (18) “…helped us”
Jared Poche will be on the mound for the Tigers tonight. Poche gave up five runs last week in a loss to Arkansas.

In the Southland Conference…Nicholls State hosts Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions lead the conference with a seven and two league record. Northwestern State and McNeese are right behind S-L-U and the Demons and the Cowboys will play three games in Natchitoches this weekend.

LSU held it’s pro day today as 20 former Tigers worked out in front of NFL coaches, scouts and executives. Among those that were in attendance include Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin reportedly had dinner with defensive end Danielle Hunter and Jalen Collins. Collins did not participate in any drills as he recovers from foot surgery. Offensive tackle La’el Collins says he plans on meeting with the Saints soon. Also, running back Terrence Magee ran the 40 in 4.56 and fellow running back Kenny Hilliard benched 225 pounds 16 times.

In college basketball last night…U-L Lafayette’s season came to an end with an 89-82 loss to Evansville in the semi-finals of the College-Insider-dot-com tournament. Shawn Long had 24 points and 11 rebounds in what could be his last game in a Cajuns uniform as he could turn pro.

The Pelicans host Sacramento tonight looking to end a four-game losing streak.

The number one ranked Fighting Fighting Tigers baseball team opens a three-game series against Kentucky tonight. LSU is led offensively by Kade Scivicque and Andrew Stevenson, who are both hitting over .400 for the year. Right behind them is Mark Laird, who is hitting .392. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s not surprised that his speedy right fielder is having a huge season…
cut 17 (13) “…your hits”
Kentucky is struggling in SEC play this year as they are just two and four in league play.

Southeastern Louisiana heads into the weekend in first place in the Southland Conference. The Lions are in Thibodaux this weekend for a three-game series against the Colonels, who are coming off a victory over U-L Lafayette. Also this weekend, McNeese State is at Northwestern State, both teams are right behind S-L-U in the conference standings.

Cajuns Forward Shawn Long had another double-double, but it wasn’t enough as U-L Lafayette lost to Evansville 89 to 82 in the semifinals of the College Insider-dot-com Postseason Tournament. Long had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his 52nd career double-double. But Aces guard DJ Balentine had 35 points.

The Pelicans will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they host the Sacramento Kings. New Orleans is three and a half games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Southern University athletic director William Broussard has been re-assigned and will reportedly return to the athletic department on August 1st. No word has been given on this curious move. Men’s basketball coach Roman Banks will also serve as the school’s athletic director for the time being.

Former LSU assistant basketball coach Donnie Tyndall has been hired as the head coach of Tennessee after just one season. It’s because the NCAA is investigating Tyndall for possible violations that occurred when he was the head coach at Southern Miss.

The number one ranked LSU baseball team opens up a three-game series tonight against Kentucky, with first pitch set for seven P-M at the Box. The Wilcats are 2-and-4 in league play, but Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says they are one of the better hitting teams in the conference…

cut 16 (17) “good ball players”

LSU is led offensively by Kade Scivicque and Andrew Stevenson, who are both hitting over .400 over the year.

Elsewere, Louisiana Tech is visiting Charlotte for a three game Conference USA series.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette welcomes Arkansas State to Tigue Moore Field and ULM will host South Alabama.

In the Southland, McNeese is in Natchitoches to face Northwestern State, Nicholls State will take on Southeastern Louisiana, and UNO hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

In the CollegeInsider-dot-com Tournament quarterfinals, the Evansville Purple Aces ended UL-Lafayette’s post season run last night 89-82. Shawn Long lead the Cajuns with 24 points and 11 rebounds. UL-Lafayette’s season ends with a 22-14 record.

The Pelicans look to turn around a string of bad luck when they face the Sacramento Kings tonight in the Smoothie King Center. The Pels come into tonight’s match up riding a four game losing streak, while the Kings have won four in a row. The Pelicans are still in playoff contention, three and a half games out of a playoff spot. Tonight’s game tips off at 7PM.

Turkey season opens tomorrow and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries predicts a bumper crop for hunters. Wild Turkey and Resident Small Game Leader, Jimmy Stafford, says there should be some carryover this season after bad weather lead to a poor hunting last year…

cut 7 (08) “go up some”

He says the Louisiana turkey population is scattered, but most gobblers can be found in the western or north-central part of the state.

LSU’s Jarell Martin is heading to the NBA after two years of college basketball. Martin has decided to enter the NBA Draft after averaging 17 points and nine rebounds a game this past season. Coach Johnny Jones says NBA scouts like Martin’s versatility and that will help him on the next level….
cut 17 (18) “….athleticism”

In college basketball tonight….U-L Lafayette will host Evansville in the CIT semifinals. Tip-off from Blackham Coliseum is at 7:30. Louisiana Tech’s season is over after losing in the NIT quartrfinals to Temple, while ULM is getting ready to play in the CBI title series. The Warhawks will face Loyola of Chicago in a best of three series starting Monday in the Windy City.

Saints Coach Sean Payton still believes there’s still a lot of good football left in the 36-year-old Drew Brees. The head coach also says his QB is fine with the trade that sent Jimmy Graham to Seattle. Payton says Brees understands they had to make changes on offense in order to improve the defense….
cut 19 (16) “….down 10”

The Pelicans are off tonight after losing their fourth straight last night in a 95 to 93 loss to the Rockets. With eleven games to go in the regular season, New Orleans is 3.5 games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans hosts Sacramento tomorrow night.

And the Independence Bowl is looking for a new title sponsor that’s because Duck Commander has ended its relationship with the bowl game.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as the Houston Rockets soared past New Orleans 95-93. Tyreke Evans had 28 points, Anthony Davis had 24 poitns, but Eric Gordon failed to make a field goal in 42 minutes on the floor. New Orleans is three and a half games back of O-K-C for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and there’s just 11 games left.

Shreveport’s Independence Bowl finds itself, once again, without a sponsor. Duck Commander, who was the title sponsor of last year’s game, will not return as the title sponsor this year. Mayor Ollie Tyler says she is determined to help the I-Bowl foundation find a new sponsor…:
CUT 3 (06) “us economically”
Tyler says a hotel tax, which narrowly failed last year, would provide much needed, revenue for the Independence bowl. She hopes the item will appear on the ballot again this fall.

Tough ending to the season for Louisiana Tech as they were eliminated in the NIT as the Bulldogs lost to Temple 77-59.

But ULM has reached the CBI championship. Tylor Ongwae and Majok Deng each had 22 points as the Warhawks flew past Vermont 71-65. Louisiana-Monroe will now face Loyola of Chicago in a best of three title series, which will begin on Monday in the Windy City.

Tonight U-L Lafayette hosts Evansville in the semifinals of the CIT. Tip-off in the Blackham Coliseum is set for 7:30.

In college baseball yesterday…Northwestern State defeated Mississippi Valley four to one and Nicholls State knocked off U-L Lafayette three to one. The Cajuns committed four errors in the contest. It’s the first time in program history that Nicholls has won games over LSU and U-L Lafayette in the same season.

LSU begins a three-game series tomorrow night against Kentucky at the Box.

LSU’s Jarell Martin will enter the NBA draft after two seasons with the Tigers. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged nearly 17 points and 9 rebounds a game this past season. Martin believes after a solid sophomore campaign, he’s ready for the pros….

qcut 16 (17) “mentally prepared”

Martin was a first team All-SEC selection this year.

The ULM Warhawks advance to the College Basketball Invitational championship series after a 71-65 win over Vermont. Tylor Ongwae and Majok Deng lead the Warhawks with 22 points each. ULM will face Loyola Chicago in a best of three series beginning Monday night in Chicago.

Louisiana Tech fell to Temple in the NIT quarterfinals 77-59.

And in the NBA, The Pelicans fell to the Houston Rockets 95-93.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is really excited about his new weapon on offense and that’s running back CJ Spiller, who signed with New Orleans during the free agency period. Payton says Spiller was not a target for them when free agency started, but that quickly changed after watching some of his film from his games with the Bills

cut 18 (20) ” he’s impressive’

Spiller had over 33-hundred yards rushing and caught 158 passes during five seasons in Buffalo.

It looks like it’s “one and done” for Duck Commander and the Independence Bowl. The West-Monroe based company, which rose to national fame due to the reality television series “Duck Dynasty”, is no longer the title sponsor for Shreveport’s contribution to the College Bowl season. The Independence Bowl is expeted to release a statement regarding their sponsorship situation today.

LSU Sophomore forward Jarell Martin announced today that he’s leaving the Tigers to enter the N-B-A draft. The six-foot-ten forward from Baton Rouge averaged nearly 17 points and nine rebounds this past season. Martin is glad that he played a role in getting the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament, but it’s now time to move on….
cut 16 (13) “…hand and hand”
Fellow LSU forward Jordan Mickey might also leave for the NBA, but he says as of now he’s still considering his options. And Tigers assistant coach Eric Musselman was named today as the new head coach at Nevada.

Tonight….Louisiana Tech faces Temple in the quarterfinals of the NIT. These two teams met in November and lost to the Owls 82 to 75. Tip-off tonight is at 8 PM.

ULM is hoping for a White Out at Fant-Ewing Colisuem tonight as the Warhawks host Vermont in the semifinals of the CBI tournament. ULM has one senior in its starting line-up and Atheltics Director Brian Wickstorm hopes this postseason run will result in an NCAA Tournament berth next season….
cut 17 (15) “….extra games”
Tip-off is at seven P-M.

In the NBA tonight…the Pelicans look to snap their three-game losing streak as they host the Houston Rockets. There’s 12 games left in the season and New Orleans is three and a half games back of O-K-C for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that the team is trying to work out a long-term contract with defensive end Cam Jordan. The 2011 first-round pick has 20 sacks over the last two seasons.