The 2015 college baseball season gets underway today. Second ranked LSU begins a three-game series against Kansas tonight. Coach Paul Mainieri will start two freshmen pitchers this weekend…
cut 27 (14) “…season progresses”
Sophomore Jared Poche will start on the hill tonight for the Tigers.

Southeastern Louisiana is coming off an NCAA Regional appearance as they open the 2015 campaign by hosting Louisiana Tech tonight. Coach Matt Riser says he wants to take the Lions program to another level this season…
cut 20 (16) ‘….more damage”
First pitch in Hammond tonight is at 6 PM.

LSU announces Tony Ball as the Tigers new wide receivers coach. Ball has spent the last nine years as an assistant at Georgia. He started as a running backs coach for the Bulldogs and spent the last five years coaching wide receivers, including first pick A-J Green.

And Louisiana Tech has made it official by announcing the hiring of Karl Scott as its safeties coach. Scott served as Southeastern Louisiana’s defensive coordinator last season.

Tomorrow in college basketball…LSU looks to boost its NCAA Tournament resume by visiting Tennessee. The Tigers and Volunteers are both six and five in league play.

Louisiana Tech goes after its 20th win of the season as it hosts Florida International. The Bulldogs are in first place by a half game over Western Kentucky.

ULM is a half game up over Georgia Southern for first place in the Sun Belt. The Warhawks will host Appalachian State and then its three straight road games.

And in the Southland…Northwestern State is at McNeese State.

Multiple reports say the LSU Tigers have hired a new wide receivers coach. His name is Tony Ball and he was Georgia’s receivers coach and has been an assistant for the Bulldogs since 2009. Also, former LSU defensive line coach Brick Haley has been hired for the same role at Texas.

Rita Benson Leblanc, the granddaughter of Tom Benson, has been removed from two NFL committees. Leblanc served as the chair of the Employee Benefits Committee and was a member of the International committee. It’s a sign the NFL strongly supports Tom Benson’s efforts to leave the Saints in the control of his wife, Gayle.

Louisiana Tech is in first place in Conference USA following its 65-54 win over Florida Atlantic. The Bulldogs have won 25 straight home games. ULM defended its home floor last night and remain in first place in the Sun Belt. The Warhawks defeated in-state rival U-L Lafayette 67-55.

It’s opening day in college baseball. Second ranked LSU begins the season against Kansas. A team that won 35 games a season ago and reached the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paul Mainieri says the Jayhawks have won five of the last six games played two teams…
cut 18 (11) “….Texas”
First pitch is at seven o’ clock.

A new era of college baseball begins tonight for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs first-year coach, Greg Goff, takes his team to Hammond for a three-game series against Southeastern Louisiana.

In women’s basketball last night…LSU lost to number one ranked South Carolina 86-62. The Lady Techster rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Florida Atlantic 73-68. Whitney Frazier had 20 points to lead the way. U-L Lafayette beat U-L-M 68-65 in double O-T.

The LSU baseball team has been picked by the league’s coaches to win the SEC West. The Tigers received 13 first place votes, while Alabama is picked to finish second, followed by Texas A-and-M, Arkansas and Mississippi State. Alex Bregman and Andrew Stevenson are preseason All-SEC first teamers.

Tonight in Monroe, ULM goes for its 400th win in Fant-Ewing Coliseum History as they host the Ragin Cajuns. The Warhawks beat U-L Lafayette 57-55 earlier this season and a win for ULM will keep them in first place in the Sun Belt. Louisiana Tech is in a three-way tie for first place in Conference USA and they host Florida Atlantic tonight.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis will not play in Sunday’s All-Star game as he’ll use the time to rest his injured shoulder. Davis missed his second consecutive game last night and New Orleans lost badly to Indiana 106-93.

The Saints have reportedly re-signed linebacker Parys Haralson to a one-year contract. The 31-year-old has been with the Black and Gold the last two seasons after starting his career in San Francisco. Haralson was credited with 35 tackles and three sacks last season. There’s also a report on fox-sports-dot-com that the Saints have signed kicker Shayne Graham to a one-year deal.

After 35 years, the voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, has announced he will retire following 2015-16 basketball season. The Northwestern State grad says he never thought his broadcasting career would turn out the way it did…
cut 16 (11) “from there”
Hawthorne says it’s been a blessing, but he’s ready to move into a new phase of his life. LSU says a nationwide search for his replacement will begin in the spring.

In a poll of the SEC baseball coaches, the LSU Tigers are picked to win the western division. The Fighting Tigers received 13 first place votes, to finish ahead of Alabama and Texas A-and-M. Vanderbilt is picked to win the SEC East. LSU’s Alex Bregman and Andrew Stevenson were picked to the baseball coaches preseason All-SEC team.

This will be the final season that Jim Hawthorne will call LSU baseball games. The legendary voice of the Tigers has announced he’ll retire following the 2015-16 basketball season. During his career, he’s been on the mic for LSU’s three Final four appearances, two national titles in football and all six of LSU’s national championships in baseball. Hawthorne says it’s been quite a ride
cut 15 (10) “collegiate sports”
Hawthorne has been calling LSU sporting events since 1979.

High School football powers John Curtis and Evangel Christian have elected to play up to Class Five-A in all sports as the LHSAA is going through it’s redistricting process. In Acadiana, because of enrollment Carencro will move from Five-A to Four-A and Notre Dame drops from Three-A to Two-A.

LSU Coach Les Miles will reportedly interview former NFL player Keenan McCardell for the Tigers vacant wide receiver coaching job. McCardell palyed 17 years in the NFL and had over ten-thousand yards receiving in his career. He was the wide receivers coach at Maryland last season.

In college basketball, U-L Lafayette is at ULM. The Warhawks are in first place in the Sun Belt and beat the Cajuns by two points earlier this year in Lafayette.

Louisiana Tech begins play today in a three-way tie for first place in Conference USA. The Bulldogs host Florida Atlantic tonight. The Owls are just one and nine in league play.

The voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, has announced he will retire following 2015-16 basketball season. Hawthorne has been calling LSU sporting events for 35 years. The Anacoco native says it’s been a blessing, but he’s ready to move into a new phase of his life…

cut 14 (12) “with him”

During his career, he’s been on the mic for LSU’s three Final four appearances, two national titles in football and all six of LSU’s national championships in baseball.

The Pelicans really took it on the chin last night as they were crushed by the Indiana Pacers 106-93. The game wasn’t even close as the Pacers lead by as much as 33 in the fourth quarter. Luke Babbit came off the bench to lead the Pels with 15 points. The Pelicans were without Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson who missed their second straight game due to injury. Davis did announce that he would not be participating in the NBA All-Star Game Sunday.

U-L Lafayette defensive coordinator James Willis is leaving the Ragin Cajuns to become a defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints. Willis had been with U-L-L the last two seasons. The Saints also announced the hiring of former Raiders Coach Dennis Allen as a defensive assistant. He’ll work with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The Saints will have 23 coaches on their staff.

High School football powers John Curtis and Evangel Christian have opted to play up to Class Five-A in all sports. The decision means that Curtis will likely play in the Catholic League. Other notable changes….because of enrollment Carencro moves from Five-A to Four-A. Abbeville and Bossier are going up to Four-A, while Eunice and Peabody fall to Three-A and Notre Dame falls from Three-A to Two-A, and Homer and Oak Grove goes from Two-A to One-A. New districts for the upcoming sports year could be finalized by the end of the month.

In college basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Florida Atlantic in Conference USA action. The Bulldogs are 9-3 in league play and looking to stay in first place.

And in the Sun Belt, the league leading ULM Warhawks host UL-Lafayette.

The voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, has announced he will retire next year. Hawthorne has been calling LSU sporting events for 35 years and plans to hang up the headphones and microphone following the 2015-16 basketball season. During his career, he’s been on the mic for LSU’s three Final four appearances, two national titles in football and all six of LSU’s national championships in baseball…
cut 30 (09) “…2009 national championship”
That audio is courtesy of the LSU Sports Radio Network. LSU says a nationwide search for his replacement will begin in the spring.

Hawthorne was on the call for a near upset in college basketball last night. But the Tigers fell a little bit short as they lost to number one ranked Kentucky 71-69. Tonight on the basketball schedule, the Pelicans host Indiana.

U-L Lafayette defensive coordinator James Willis is leaving the Ragin Cajuns as he’s been hired as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints. Willis has been with U-L-L the last two seasons. The Saints also announced the hiring of former Raiders Coach Dennis Allen as a defensive assistant. He’ll work with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The Saints will have 23 coaches on their staff.

High School football powers John Curtis and Evangel Christian have opted to play up to Class Five-A in all sports. The decision means that Curtis will likely play in the Catholic League. Other notable changes….because of enrollment Carencro moves from Five-A to Four-A. Abbeville and Bossier are going up to Four-A, while Eunice and Peabody falls to Three-A and Notre Dame falls from Three-A to Two-a, while Homer and Oak Grove goes from Two-A to One-A. New districts for the upcoming sports year could be finalized by the end of the month.

Great atmosphere, great game, but the end result wasn’t great for the LSU Tigers who lost to number one ranked Kentucky 71-69. LSU’s Keith Hornsby had a chance to win at the buzzer with a three-pointer, but his shot bounced off the rim. The Tigers had a six-point lead in the second-half, but scored just one bucket in the final four minutes. Jordan Mickey had 16 points, but didn’t see the ball much down the stretch…
cut 30 (13) “….what he calls”
LSU’s Jarrell Martin led all scorers with 21 points as the Tigers fall to six and five in the SEC.

Elsewhere last night…Southeastern Louisiana had an easy 83-58 win over Central Arkansas.Nicholls State lost to Incarnate Word 73-64.

The Saints made it official today, announcing the hiring of former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen as a senior defensive assistant. This is Allen’s second stint with the Black and Gold. Ragin Cajuns defensive coordinator James Willis is also joining Sean Payton’s staff. He’s been hired as a defensive assistant-linebackers coach. Former 49ers assistant coach John Morton has been named as New Orleans new wide out coach. And former Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas has taken the same position on Payton’s staff.

The Pelicans look to snap a three-game home losing streak tonight when they host the Indiana Pacers. All-Star Anthony Davis is questionable with a shoulder sprain and Ryan Anderson has been ruled out because of an elbow injury. This is New Orleans final game before the All-Star break.

In major league baseball…former Ragin Cajuns standout and Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy will miss the next four to six weeks because of a hamstring injury. Lucroy finished fourth in the N-L M-V-P voting last season.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says he’s looking forward to undergoing a mental evaluation as a soon as possible. Benson issued that statement after a judge ruled he must be examined by March 13th. Legal analyst Tim Meche says three medical experts will examine Benson and the results will help the judge determine if the 87-year-old is mentally competent to make sound business decisions…
cut 13 (09) “…someone else”
Benson also said today that he’s disappointed in the lawsuits by the relatives who are trying to prevent his wife from having future control of the professional franchises.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is reportedly working out in New Orleans and a determination on whether he’ll play in 2015 is expected soon. That’s according to the NFL Network.

A sell out crowd is expected inside the Maravich Center tonight as the LSU Tigers host the number one ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Tigers Coach Johnny Jones calls this Kentucky squad one of the best college basketball teams ever assembled…
cut 18 (14) “…for you”
LSU beat the Wildcats in the PMAC last year 87 to 82.

In other hoops action tonight….Southeastern Louisiana hosts Central Arkansas. The Lions are looking to improve on their three and six league record. Nicholls State is 4-and-6 in the Southland. The Colonels are at Incarnate Word tonight.

The Pelicans host the Pacers tomorrow night. Anthony Davis is questionable with a shoulder injury and Ryan Anderson will not play because of an elbow injury. Davis and Anderson didn’t play last night as the Pelicans lost to Utah.

A New Orleans judge ruled this morning that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson must undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he’s mentally fit to make sound business decisions. Analysts say it’s a legal victory for Benson’s relatives, who are trying to prevent Tom Benson’s wife, Gayle Benson, from getting the two professional franchises.

The Fighting Tigers battle the undefeated and top ranked Wildcats tonight at the Maravich Center. Kentucky is 23-0, while LSU is 17-6 and can use a high-profile victory to boost its NCAA Tournament resume. Coach Johnny Jones understands the significance, but it’s not a must-win situation…
cut 17 (17) “….our schedule”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

In the NBA…the Pelicans were without the injured Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson last night and lost to the Utah Jazz 100 to 96. The Jazz’s Gordon Hayward had 32 points, while Eric Gordon had 31 to lead the Pelicans, who lost their third consecutive home game. They host Indiana on Wednesday and then it’s the All-Star Break.

Northwestern State’s four game winning streak in men’s basketball ended last night as the Demons lost to Stephen F Austin 93-82. The Lumberjacks shot 53-percent from the field as they have now won 32 straight regular season games. Jalen West had 28 points for the Demons.

Former Alexandria Senior High standout Christavious Gill and Kevin Hill each scored 21 points as U-N-O defeated McNeese State 81-71. The Privateers shot 59-percent from the field in the victory.

In the SWAC…Alcorn State beat Grambling 91-77 and Jackson State knocked off Southern 62-52.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a chance to hand top ranked Kentucky its first loss of the season tonight. The two teams will square off in the Maravich Center at six P-M. Coach Johnny Jones knows his players are excited, but they’ll need to be focus when the ball is tipped…

cut 16 (13) “controlled”

Kentucky is 23-0 on the season, while LSU is 17-6 and can use a high-profile victory to boost its NCAA Tournament resume.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Central Arkansas while Nicholls travels to Incarnate word.

The Pelicans had a 14-point lead in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Utah Jazz last night 100-96. Eric Gordon scored 31 and Tyreke Evans added 18 as the Pels were without Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson who missed the game due to injury.

Last night in Southland Conference basketball action, Stephen F. Austin blew past Northwestern St. 93-82. The Demons’ Jalen West lead all scorers with 28 as his team falls to 7-4 in league play. The Lumberjacks remain unbeaten in the Southland.

And UNO defeated McNeese State 81-71. Kevin Hill and Christavious Gill each had 21 to lead the Privateers, while the Cowboys were lead by Desharick Guidry and Keelan Garrett who each scored 20. Both teams now have a 3-8 conference record.

In the SWAC, Southern fell to Jackson State 62-52. The Jaguars were lead by Adrian Rodgers 15 points. The Jags fall to 8-3 in the league, two games behind conference leader Alabama State.

And Grambling remains winless in the conference after their 91-77 loss to Alcorn State. The Tigers were lead by A’Torri Shine’s 23 points. Grambling will next try for their first league win Saturday when they host Texas Southern.