The LSU Tigers are on a two-game winning streak after beating Vanderbilt in overtime on Saturday. The Bayou Bengals host South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball rebounded from its first loss in Conference USA action by beating rice on Saturday 58-45. The Bulldogs are six and one in the league and they’ll host Western Kentucky on Thursday night, who is a perfect 7-and-0 in league play.

U-L-M, who once won six in a row, has now lost two straight. The Warhawks are at Troy this Thursday.

In the NBA…the Pelicans have won three straight as they defeated Dallas 109-to-106 last night. Anthony Davis had 28 points and 10 reobunds. The Pels will go for their fourth win in a row tonight as they host the 76ers.

In the NFL Pro Bowl last night…Saints tight end Jimmy Graham had two touchdown grabs as Team Michael Irvin beat Chris Carter’s team 32-28.

The LSU Tigers found out today that they are ranked second in the Baseball America preseason poll. Vanderbilt, who is the defending national champs, are ranked number one. Houston is number three. It was the Cougars who defeated the Tigers in last year’s regional.

When it comes to 2015, LSU will have several young pitchers on the mound, but Coach Paul Mainieri says he has confidence he’ll have a strong staff by the end of the season, because of pitching coach Alan Dunn…
cut 17 (20) “….special”
Jake Godfrey, Jake Latz, Doug Norman and Alex Lange are some of the freshmen pitchers who are competing to be in the weekend rotation.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson says he feels great, just like a 50-year-old. Benson made those comments to a television reporter who was standing outside of the Saints facility waiting for him to arrive yesterday. His daughter, Renee Benson, and two of his granddaugthers have filed a lawsuit against him in an attempt to stop a succession plan that will give control of the two teams to his wife Gayle.

Benson’s New Orleans Pelicans got a road win against the Minnesota Timberwolves last night 92 to 84. Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon combined for 37 points; and Anthony Davis had 21 in the win. The Pels are now a game above .500 at 22 and 21

In college hoops today…the LSU Tigers are seeking their second straight win as they visit Vanderbilt at 5 PM. Louisiana Tech is at Rice, U-L-M hosts Georgia Southern, the Cajuns are at Georgia State and Northwestern State hosts McNeese.
—————————–
College baseball teams have begun full squad practices as they get ready for the 2015 season. This year the NCAA will use a new baseball that has lower seems, in the hopes it leads to more home runs. Coach Paul Mainieri says it does appear that these new baseballs will go farther…
cut 30 (10) “…same hitters”
LSU goes into the season seeking its 17th trip to the College World Series.

In college football…LSU’s new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron’s has a contract for two years, with an annual salary of 450-thousand dollars. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve it at their next meeting.

Sunday is the N-F-L Pro bowl. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham says if he catches a touchdown, he’ll bring back his post-TD celebration by dunking the football through the goal posts.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson said today that he feels great, just like a 50-year-old. Benson made those comments to a television reporter who was standing outside of the Saints facility waiting for him to arrive this morning. His daughter, Renee Benson, and two of his granddaugthers have filed a lawsuit against him in an attempt to stop a succession plan that will give control of the two teams to his wife Gayle.

Benson’s Pelicans are in Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves tonight. New Orleans seeking to win back-to-back games for the first time in over a month. Tip off tonight is at 7:00.

In college hoops on Saturday…the LSU Tigers are seeking their second straight win as they visit Vanderbilt at 5 PM. Louisiana Tech is at Rice, U-L-M hosts Georgia Southern, the Cajuns are at Georgia State and Northwestern State hosts McNeese State.

College baseball teams have begun full squad practices as they get ready for the 2015 season. This year the NCAA will use a new baseball that has lower seems, in the hopes it leads to more home runs. Coach Paul Mainieri says it does appear that these new baseballs will go farther…
cut 30 (10) “…same hitters”
LSU heads into the season seeking its 17th trip to the College World Series.

In college football…LSU’s new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron’s contract is two years, with an annual salary of 450-thousand dollars. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve it at their next meeting.

Sunday is the N-F-L Pro bowl. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham says if he catches a touchdown, he’ll bring back his post-TD celebration by dunking the football through the goal posts.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has released a statement expressing his disappointment over the lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren claiming he’s mentally unfit to change a succession plan that puts Benson’s wife, Gayle, in control of both professional franchises once he dies. As far as that lawsuit goes claiming Beson is incapacitated, Legal analyst Tim Meche says the plantiffs will have to prove Benson is not capable of making decisions on his own…
cut 14 (11) “….bring to the table”
The lawsuit also paints Benson’s wife as a gold digger.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis has been named a starter in the NBA All-Star game. First one to do that from New Orleans since Chris Paul did it in 2011. The Pels are at Minnesota tonight.

The NFL Pro Bowl Game is this Sunday. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham tells the New Orleans Times-Picayune he’ll use this game to determine whether he’ll need surgery on his shoulder.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech lost its first Conference USA Game of the season on Saturday as the Bulldogs lost to North Texas 73-66. Tech trailed at halftime by 21 points. U-L-M’s six-game winning streak was snapped last night as they fell to Texas-Arlington 61-57. And the Ragin Cajuns ended a three-game losing streak with a 96-59 victory over Arkansas State.

Full squad practices begin today for college baseball teams. The LSU Tigers are ranked ninth in the Division One-Baseball-dot-com’s preseason ranking. One of there writers, Aaron Fitt, says LSU’s pitching staff is talented, but young and inexperienced…
cut 17 (10) “…those guys”
It’s possible two of the three weekend starters will be freshmen for the Tigers.

A day after Saints owner Tom Benson, who is 87, announced his wife will assume ownership of the Saints and Pelicans when he dies, his former heir files suit claiming her grandfather is incapacitated. Rita Benson LeBlanc, her mother Renee Benson and brother Ryan LeBlanc filed the petition in Orleans Civil District Court. Legal analyst Tim Meche…

cut 13 (12) “she has a chance”

Meche says they will have to prove that Tom Benson is not capable of making decisions on his own. Tom Benson says he is extremely disappointed by the lawsuit.

An M-R-I has revealed that Lakers star Kobe Bryant suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the second half of Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s not clear how long Bryant will be out. The Pelicans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night.

College baseball teams can begin full squad workouts today and for the LSU Tigers they enter the season ranked ninth in the country according to Division One-Baseball-dot-com. One of there writers, Aaron Fitt, says LSU’s line-up has the potential to score a lot of runs this year

cut 16 (14) “last year”

Fitt says LSU has a talented pitching staff, but they are young and inexperienced.

In Sun Belt hoops action, UL-Lafayette ended their three game losing streak with a 96-59 beat down of Arkansas State. Shawn Long lead the way for the Cajuns with 27 points. ULM’s six game winning streak came to an end last night with a 61-57 loss to Texas-Arlington. The Warhawks remain a half game ahead of Georgia Southern for first place in the conference.

In Conference USA, North Texas scored 49 first half points as they handed Louisiana Tech its first conference loss, 73-66.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson announces ownership of both teams will transfer to his wife, Gayle, upon his death. Eric Gill reports…
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Rita Benson Leblanc is fighting back, as she’s filed a lawsuit in Orleans Civil Court claiming that Tom Benson is incapiciated and not mentally fit to decide succession plans. In the suit, the former heirs claim Mr Benson has been heavily medicated, because of failing health.

An M-R-I has revealed that Lakers star Kobe Bryant suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the second half of last night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s not clear how long Bryant will be out. The Pelicans are off tonight as they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night.

In college basketball tonight…U-L-M looks for its seventh straight win as they host Texas-Arlington, who they beat earlier this season in overtime. Warhawks Coach Keith Richard expects another close game tonight…
cut 18 (12) “…to win”
Tip-off tonight is at seven o’ clock.

The Ragin Cajuns are also home tonight. U-L Lafayette looks to snap a three-game losing streak when they face Arkansas State. And Louisiana Tech looks to improve to 6-and-0 in Conference USA action as they visit North Texas.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has laid out a new succession plan and it does not include his granddaughter Rita Benson Leblanc. Instead, his wife Gayle, will take control of the Saints and Pelicans, when Tom Benson dies. The voice of the Saints. Jim Henderson, says this had to be an agonizing decision for Benson to make…
cut 3 (10) “…a rough one”
Benson says the reason for his decision is about laying the foundation for the Organiziation to continue to be successful.

Benson’s Pelicans won last night, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 96-80. Anthony Davis scored 20 of his 29 points in the second half. The win puts New Orleans back at the five-hundred mark at 21-and-21. And they’ll be without point guard Jrue Holiday for the next two to four weeks because of a stress reaction in his right leg.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has confirmed that former Dolphins general Jeff Ireland has joined the Saints’ front office. Ireland doesn’t have an official title yet, but he is expected to oversee college scouting and help in other areas of the organiziation. Not only is Ireland a former general manager, but he’s also worked as a scout with the Chiefs and Cowboys. Loomis says Ireland has done some great work in the NFL…
cut 20 (18) “….good fit”

In college football…Louisiana Tech has named Rick Petri as its new defensive line coach. He held the same job at Duke over the last four seasons, helping the Blue Devils win 28 games during that span. He was also was an assistant coach for the Bulldogs in 1992.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says, when he dies, ownership of both teams will to to his wife, Gayle, and not his granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc. It was expected that Benson’s granddaughter would succeed him in leading the two teams. Benson said this change in plan is necessary for the long-term success of both the football and basketball team. Benson LeBlanc’s offices at team headquarters have been vacated.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has confirmed the hiring of former Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland. Ireland’s exact title with the Saints has not been determined, but Loomis says he’ll be involved in college and pro scouting and assist in other areas within the front office. He says Ireland will be able to provide fresh ideas

cut 19 (12) “more efficient”

To make room for Ireland in the front office, the team fired director of college scouting Rick Reiprish, who had been with the Black and Gold since the 2004 season.

ULM takes a six-game winning streak into tonight’s home game against Texas-Arlington. Defense has been the key to the Warhawks success, as they are allowing just 60 points a game and opponents are shooting 37-percent from the field. U-L-M Coach Keith Richard credits the size and length they have in the front court…

cut 17 (07) “some shots”

The Mavericks come into tonight’s game with a 10-and-7 record. The Warhawks sit atop the Sun Belt standings.

Also tonight, UL-Lafayette will try to snap their three-game losing streak as they host Arkansas State. And Louisiana Tech will try to stay perfect in Conference USA as they travel to face North Texas.

Anthony Davis returned from a toe injury last night and lead the Pelicans to a 96-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Smoothie King Center. Davis scored 29 points in his return and Tyreke Evans added 19, while Eric Gordon pumped in 17. The Pels are 21-21 and four games behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

One of the top high school football prospects announced his decision to play at LSU today. Riverdale defensive back Donte Jackson chose the Tigers over Georgia and U-S-C. Football analyst Mike Detillier says Jackson is a great talent…:
CUT 9 (10) “in flight”
The five-foot-eleven cornerback from New Orleans had five interceptions in his senior and played well in the U-S Army All-American Bowl. Jackson is expected to sign with the Tigers on National Signing Day which is February. Detillier says LSU’s 2015 recruiting class also features a couple of other outstanding defensive backs in Kevin Toliver and Xavier Lewis.

In high school football coaching news…East St. John has named Alden Foster as their new head coach. Foster led the Amite Warriors to the Class Three-A Championship this past season.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the hiring of former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland and the firing Rick Reiprish, who was the director of college scouting. Loomis made the comments after watching practice at the Senior Bowl in Miami…
cut 30 (28) “….Super Bowl”
Loomis added that the organization was in need of some fresh ideas.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis is expected to play tonight against Lakers after missing the last three games, because of a sprained left toe. And Kobe Bryant is also expected to play tonight after missing the last two games to rest his 36-year-old body. Tip-off is at 7 PM.