The Saints wrapped up an emotional week and a rough season by losing to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers 27 to 19 yesterday for a fourth consecutive loss. Tampa Bay scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat New Orleans and win the NFC South title.

Interim Saints head coach Darren Rizzi was wearing a sweatshirt that read “NOLA,” with a heart replacing the O in memory of those killed in the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. Rizzi said he wanted to win it for them and for the whole grieving city.

Cut 17 (09)  “…a short term.” 

What kind of action will Saints owner Gayle Benson take after the Black and Gold just completed its worse season since 2005. Her NBA franchise also has the worst record in the Western Conference. NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan….

Cut 13 (07) “…right now”

After snapping an eleven-game losing streak on Friday, the Pelicans now have a two-game winning streak as New Orleans defeated Washington 110 to 98 last night. Both of the Pels recent victories have come against the Wizards, who have the worst record in the NBA. C-J McCollum scored 50 points on Friday and followed that up with a 25-point performance last night. Head Coach Willie Green…

Cut 29 (07) “….good decisions”

The Pelicans will host the Timberwolves tomorrow night.

The LSU Lady Tigers improved to 17-and-0 with a 73 to 63 win over Auburn. Aneesah Morrow had 21 points and 14 rebounds for her 15^th double-double of the season.

Should be a fun game tonight in Natchitoches as Northwestern State hosts McNeese. Both teams are 3-and-0 in Southland play. The Cowboys have blown out their three league opponents, while the Demons are coming off a two point win over Nicholls on Saturday.

The Saints 2024 season is finally over as New Orleans gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and lost to Tampa Bay 27 to 19. Quarterback Spencer Rattler made some nice throws in the first half and finished with 240 yards passing and a touchdown. The rookie is disappointed they couldn’t come away with the victory…

Cut 18 (16) “…from as well”

New Orleans finishes with a 5-and-12 record, their worst season since 2005. Changes are coming, but NOLA.com columnist Jeff Duncan says he’d be shocked if General Manager Mickey Loomis got the boot…

Cut 14 (19) “….clean house”

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team outscored Auburn 27 to 8 in the second quarter and went on to win 73 to 63 at the PMAC yesterday afternoon. Aneesah Morrow had 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Lady Tigers are now 17 and-0.

The LSU men’s basketball team dropped its SEC opener on Saturday falling to Vanderbilt 80 to 72. The loss stings for the Tigers, who will play the next four out of five on the road. Coach Matt McMahon says they have to move past this loss…

Cut 20 (09) “….this season”

LSU is at Missouri tomorrow night.

In other action…the Ragin Cajuns and ULM both lost on Saturday. Louisiana Tech is off to an 0-and-2 start in Conference USA. McNeese and Northwestern State are both 3-and-0 in the Southland. The Demons host the Cowboys tonight.

Grambling is at Texas Southern tonight in a game that can be seen on ESPNU.

The Pelicans have won two in a row as they defeated Washington for the second time in three nights, beating the Wizards 110 to 98 in D-C.

The Saints are preparing for one more game this season as they will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season finale. The Bucs can win the NFC South with a victory and interim head coach Darren Rizzi wants to play the role of spoiler…

Cut 17 (08) “…into the playoffs”

Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara are still not practicing because of injuries and running back Kendre Miller is in concussion protocol, which means we could see more of Clyde Edwards Helaire on Sunday.

In the Sugar Bowl last night, Notre Dame defeated Georgia 23 to 10 to advance to the semifinals of the college football playoffs. The terrorist attack postponed the game to Thursday afternoon and Irish quarterback Riley Leonard says the extra day gave them more time to prepare…

Cut 11 (07) “…paid off today”

Notre Dame will play Penn State in the Orange Bowl next Thursday.

The LSU Gymnastics team begins defense today of its national title as it faces Iowa State in the opening meet of the 2025 season. Coach Jay Clark says before the meet, they will unveil the 2024 national championship banner…

Cut 29 (25) “…another one of those”

Two-time NCAA national champion Haleigh Bryant is not competing tonight because of an elbow injury. But senior all-arounder Aleah Finnegan is back.

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team remained perfect on the season last night with a 98 to 64 win over Arkansas to tip off SEC play.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is 2-and-0 in the Sun Belt after beating Coastal Carolina 71 to 68, Georgia Southern upended ULM 90 to 82 and Louisiana Tech lost at UTEP 70 to 60.

Notre Dame is heading to the semifinals of the college football playoff as they were the more physical team last night in beating Georgia 23 to 10 in the Sugar Bowl that was postponed to Thursday because of the New Orleans terrorist attack. The Fighting Irish seized control of the game late in the second quarter with a strip sack fumble, which led to a Riley Leonard touchdown pass. And then the Irish returned the kickoff to open the second half for a touchdown. Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman…

Cut 10 (21) “…of the game”

Notre Dame held Georgia running back Trevor Etienne from Jennings to just 38 rushing yards. Notre Dame advances to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl.

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team opened SEC play last night with a dominant 98 to 64 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Lady Tigers are 16-and-0.

The Lady Techsters opened Conference USA play with a 63-50 win over UTEP. The U-L Lafayette women’s basketball team lost, while the ULM ladies beat Georgia Southern 83 to 67.

On the men’s side…the Ragin Cajuns are now 2-and-0 in the Sun Belt after rallying to beat Coastal Carolina 71 to 68. ULM gave up 55 points in the second half and lost to Georgia Southern. And Louisiana Tech had a season high 20 turnovers in a 70 to 60 loss at UTEP.

The LSU men’s basketball team begins SEC play tomorrow as they host Vanderbilt. Tigers Coach Matt McMahon says the SEC is really good this year…

Cut 18 (17) “…postseason”

Tip off against the Commodores is at 3:30.

28-year-old Tiger Bech was one of the victims of the New Year’s terrorist attack in New Orleans. Bech graduated from St. Thomas Moore in Lafayette in 2015 as a three-sport athlete. His younger brother played at LSU for two seasons and will play in the NFL next season after having a big year at TCU in 2024. STM Principal Marty Cannon says Bech visited frequently and felt blessed to have seen him over the holidays…

Cut 13 (13)  “…to see him.”

The Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association announced its All-Louisiana team. LSU stars Garrett Nussmeier and Whit Weeks won offensive and defensive players of the year. ULM running back Ahmad Hardy won freshman of the year, Tulane wide receiver Mario Williams was named the Newcomer of the year, and UL-Lafayette Head Coach Michael Desormeaux earned coach of the year honors after leading the Cajuns to a Sun Belt West title.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team opens Conference USA play tonight at 10-and-3 UTEP. The Bulldogs are 11-and-2 to start the season, but coach Talvin Hester knows conference play is on another level…

Cut 30 (16) “…games up.”

Tip-off is at 8:00

While the men’s team heads to El Paso, the Lady Techsters are set to host UTEP in their first CUSA contest at 6:30.

ULM also tips off Sun Belt action tonight as they visit Georgia Southern. UL-Lafayette will kick off their conference schedule on the road versus Coastal Carolina. Both games tip off at 6:00

The undefeated LSU women’s basketball team is heading north to face Arkansas to begin SEC hoops. The sixth-ranked lady Tigers will face the Razorbacks at 8:00.

Pelicans center Yves Missi was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month. The center led all rookies in point rebounds and blocks while averaging a double-double in the month of December.

New Orleans is recovering from the shock and devastation of yesterday morning’s Bourbon Street terrorist attack, and the Saints are doing their best to support their city. Linebacker Demario Davis says there’s no way you can compartmentalize or process it…

Cut 18

Former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech was one of the victims. The 2015 graduate of STM also played lacrosse and was on the track and field team. He went on to play football at Princeton and was working in New York City. STM Principal Marty Cannon coached Bech.

Cut 12 

Baton Rouge native and former Episcopal football player Kareem Badawi was another victim of the attack. Badawi was a freshman at Alabama and Episcopal Head Football Coach Travis Bourgeois coached him all four years

Cut 14

New Orleans will host the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame in the nearby Superdome today at 3:00.

Conference play is tipping off in college hoops today.

In the Sun Belt, ULM will visit Georgia Southern while UL-Lafayette plays at Coastal Carolina tonight at 6:00 

The Lady Techsters will host UTEP at 6:30 in Ruston while the 11-and-2 Louisiana Tech men’s team will head to El Paso to face 10-and-3 Miners at 8:00.

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s team will open SEC play at 7-and-8 Arkansas at 8:00 while the 11-and-2 men’s team tips off conference action Saturday as they host 12-and-1 Vanderbilt.

The Sugar Bowl is scheduled to take place at 3 PM today after it was postponed because of a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people.

A couple of former Louisiana high school football players are among the people who died. Episcopal’s Kareem Badawi graduated from the Baton Rouge school last May and former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech died several hours after he was hit by the terror suspect’s truck.

Just like all of New Orleans, the Saints felt the impact of the New Year’s morning terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says hearing the news brought back painful memories. Rizzi lost two high school football teammates during the 9-11 attacks…

Cut 17 (17)  “…in our country.” 

The Saints will conclude the regular season on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

The Pelicans lost their 11^th straight last night despite 34 points from Trey Murphy. Miami got off to a fast start and New Orleans could not come back and fell to the Heat 119 to 108.  The Pels will host an equally bad team in the Washington Wizards on Friday.

The sixth ranked LSU Lady Tigers tip off SEC play tonight by taking on Arkansas. LSU is 15-and-0 and sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams says they are ready…

Cut 30 (18) “…for that”

Arkansas struggled in non-conference play, as they are 7-and-8, but they have the SEC’s leading scorer in Izzy Higginbottom, who is averaging 24 points a game.

The Lady Techsters open Conference USA play by UTEP, while the Men are at El Paso. The Bulldogs are 11 and 2 off to their best start since 2015.

Also tonight. ULM is at Georgia Southern, while the Cajuns are Coastal Carolina.

Due to the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans this morning, tonight’s Sugar Bowl matchup, between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley made the announcement…

Cut 20 (20) “…24 hours

But after further discussion, they decided to kick the game off at 3 PM on Thursday.

Fifteen people were killed when a Texas resident drove at a high rate of speed down Bourbon Street shortly after three A-M this morning. One of the people killed is Tiger Bech, who was a football player at St. Thomas More. Bech graduating from the Lafayette school in 2015. He went on to play at Princeton. His brother Jack Bech played at LSU for two seasons before transferring to TCU

_________________________________________________________

The Saints returned to practice today to get ready for the team’s regular season finale against Tampa Bay on Sunday. It was not easy, as the coaches and players woke up to the horrific news that a terrorist attack in the French Quarter killed 15 people celebrating the New Year’s holiday. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi….

Cut 18 (18) “…hits home”

Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Payton Turner and Pete Werner did not practice today as they are injured.

The Pelicans are at Miami tonight. New Orleans will look to snap a ten-game losing streak.

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team will tip-off SEC play tomorrow by visiting Arkansas. The Lady Tigers are undefeated,

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball begins Conference USA play tomorrow night at Texas El Paso.

The LSU Tigers finished off 2024 with a 44 to 31 win over the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns to finish with over four-thousand yards passing on the season.

Aaron Anderson had eight catches for 91 yards, Chris Hilton caught four passes for 113 yards and a touchdown and freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green caught six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Green wasn’t the only freshman who had a big game. Coach Brian Kelly praised the freshmen who contributed on defense, including Tylen Singleton,  Dashawn Spears and Javien Toviano….

Cut 14 (16) “…a healthy roster.”

Linebacker Whit Weeks went down with a gruesome ankle injury, but Kelly said after the surgery, Weeks should be ready for spring ball.

A couple of SEC Teams who made their case to be in the College Football Playoff lost yesterday in regular bowl games. Michigan held on to beat 11^th ranked Alabama 19 to 13 in the Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa.

And 15^th ranked South Carolina lost to 20^th ranked Illinois 21 to 17 in the Citrus Bowl.

Tonight it is the Sugar Bowl, a quarterfinal playoff game as Georgia takes on Notre Dame. Bulldogs Coach Kirby Smart on the matchup in New Orleans…

Cut 30 (35) “…hosting us”

Kick off is at 7:45.

LSU looks to cap off its 2024 season with a win today in Houston against the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl. Linebacker Greg Penn  it’s good to celebrate a winning season with a trip to a bowl game, even if it’s not the College Football Playoff, but the mission is not to merely play in the bowl game, it’s to win.

Cut 17 (11)  “…there and competing.” 

Kickoff from N-R-G Stadium is at 2:30 this afternoon.

Tomorrow night in the Superdome, it’s a College Football Playoff semifinal game as Georgia battles Notre Dame. The Bulldogs will start Gunner Stockton at quarterback for the injured Carson Beck. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart has confidence Gunner will get the job done…

Cut 16 (16) “…those traits”

Kick off is at 7:45.

The Saints have one more game left and they are looking at their worst record since 2005, the Katrina season. That year New Orleans split its home games between Baton Rouge and San Antonio because the Superdome was destroyed by Katrina’s fierce winds. The Saints had several injuries this year that destroyed their chances of getting back to the playoffs, but defensive lineman Cam Jordan says…

Cut 18 (15)   “…deserved more.”

New Orleans will conclude the regular season on Sunday against Tampa Bay. A win for the Buccaneers and they’ll capture the NFC South Title.

The Pelicans just can’t win a game. They were up by 14 points over the Clippers but Los Angeles came back in the final minutes to win 116 to 113.

McNeese started fast last night in Lake Charles and easily defeated Southeastern Louisiana 79 to 51 to improve to 2-and-0 in the Southland. The Lions are 0-and-2 in the Southland.

Nicholls rallied late to beat Seattle 71 to 69 as Byron Ireland scored the winning bucket in the final seconds.