If the Pelicans win tonight’s regular season finale against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs they are in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2011. Pelicans head coach Monty Williams says the players are embracing the situation before them…
cut 16 (11) “…awesome opportunity”
If the Pelicans lose, they’ll have to hope that Oklahoma City loses to the worst team in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris will split reps in this Saturday’s spring game. Miles says he wants to see Jennings and Harris to run the offense, take care of the football and move it aggressively.

In college baseball last night, Southeastern Louisiana scored three runs in the eighth inning to beat U-L Lafayette five to three. The loss snaps the Cajuns six-game winning streak, while the Lions are now 27-and-11. Also last night…LSU-Shreveport beat Centenary six to one. Tonight, Northwestern State is at ULM and LSU hosts Lamar. Freshman starting pitcher Alex Lange says he’ll be able to pitch this weekend for the Tigers after missing his start last weekend, because of arm tightness.

Former Louisiana prep football star and Ragin cajuns standout Ike Taylor has announced he’s retiring after a 12-year career in the NFL. The graduate of Abramson High School in New Orleans had 636 tackles in the NFL and won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins will be one of 26 players to attend the NFL draft in two weeks. Collins is expected to be selected in the first round. Former Dutchtown star and Alabama defensive back Landon Collins will also be present for the draft.

It’s simple for the Pelicans tomorrow, if they win, they get into the playoffs. But it will take a big effort for New Orleans to get a victory as they host the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. New Orleans enters the final game of the regular season in a tie with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder are at Minnesota tomorrow night.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that that free-agent receiver Greg Jennings plans to visit with the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old Jennings also visited with the Jaguars today. He’s caught 552 passes for just over eight-thousand yards and 63 touchdowns during his nine-year career.

And former New Orleans prep star and former Ragin Cajun Ike Taylor announced his retirement from the NFL today. Taylor played for 12 seasons in Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowls. The 34-year-old had 14 interceptions during his career.

Weather has wrecked havoc on the college baseball schedule. Northwestern State at Mississippi State has been cancelled, Nicholls State versus South Alabama has been postponed, LSU-Alexandria at McNeese State has been cancelled and ULM versus Arkansas Pine-Bluff has been postponed. The Ragin Cajuns are still planning on hosting Southeastern Louisiana tonight.

In the latest college baseball polls….Baseball America has LSU ranked second in the country, while Collegiate Baseball has LSU ranked third. Texas A-and-M, who is 33-and-3 on the season, is ranked number one in both of those polls. LSU hosts Lamar tomorrow night.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Ranaudo is expected to be called up to the big leagues and he’ll start for the Texas Rangers tomorrow night against the Angels. Ranaudo started the season with Texas’ Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express.

In the latest college baseball polls….Baseball America has LSU ranked second in the country, while Collegiate Baseball has LSU ranked third. Texas A-and-M, who is 33-and-3 on the season, is ranked number one in both of those polls. LSU hosts Lamar tomorrow night.

Wet weather is leading to cancellations and postponements for tonight’s games. Northwestern State’s contest at Mississippi State has been cancelled, while the Nicholls State-South Alabama game in Thibodaux has been postponed.

ULM is at Arkansas Pine-Bluff this afternoon. The Warhawks are looking to rebound after getting swept by Georgia State this past weekend.

Former Ragin Cajuns standout Ike Taylor has retired after a 12-year-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Taylor won two Super Bowl rings during his time with Pittsburgh, after he was picked by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.

In the chase for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Pelicans and Thunder both won last night, so it all comes down to the final regular season game of the year. New Orleans will host San Antonio, while Oklahoma City has a much easier task against Minnesota. A win for the Pels over the defending champs and they secure a playoff spot. San Antonio has something to play for too as they are battling for seeding.

The Sun Belt Conference has announced the 2015-16 men’s and women’s basketball schedule. The conference will once again utilize a 20-game conference schedule and men’s and womens’ basketball games will be played as doubleheaders. The Ragin Cajuns will host ULM on February second, while a date has yet to be determined for when the Warhawks host U-L Lafayette.

Fox Sports Mike Garafolo reports that Nebraska’s Randy Gregory will visit with the Saints this week. Gregory is considered a first-round talent, but he failed a drug test at the NFL combine and he’s also tested positive for marijuana while at Nebraska.

After a tough loss in Houston last night, the Pelicans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight, while Oklahoma City hosts Portland. New Orleans can clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference, if they beat the Timberwolves and the Thunder lose to the Trail Blazers. Russell Westbrook will play for O-K-C as his 16th technical foul that he picked up last night, which could have led to a one-game suspension, has been rescinded by the NBA.

Tonight on the SEC Network, LSU basketball fans will want to watch “Shaq and Dale” which is a documentary on the special relationship between Shaquille O’ Neal and Dale Brown. ESPN’s Hannah Storm directed it and country music star Tim McGraw handles the narration.

The Sun Belt released its men’s and women’s basketball conference schedules today. For a second straight year, each team will play a 20-game conference schedule and men’s and women’s basketball games will be played as doubleheaders.

The LSU Tigers took two of three from Auburn this past weekend to improve to 10-and-5 in SEC play. Three LSU pitchers held Auburn in check during a six to two victory yesterday. Parker Bugg and Jesse Stallings each gave up a run in relief, but Zac Person picked up the win by throwing three shutout innings. Person says he received some good advice from pitching coach Alan Dunn before making his first start of the season…
cut 18 (10) “….went about it”

LSU baseball beat Auburn six to two yesterday to claim a series victory over the War Eagles. The Tigers scored all of their runs in the first three innings, as Chris Sciambra and Mark Laird each had two hits. That was enough offense for starting pitcher Zac Person and two relievers. Person made his first start of the season and Coach Paul Mainieri made that decision on Sunday morning…
cut 17 (16) “….good start”

Nice weekend for Northwestern State baseball as they swept its series with UNO. The Demons are at Mississippi State tomorrow. McNeese State took two of three from Lamar. Nicholls State won two of three from Central Arkansas. And Southeastern Louisiana lost two of three from Utah.

The Ragin Cajuns completed a three game sweep of Jackson State with a a six to two win over J-S-U yesterday.

The Pelicans had a great opportunity last night to take a huge step forward in clinching a playoff spot. But New Orleans let a nine-point second half lead slip away in Houston and the Rockets soared past the Pelicans 121 to 114. Oklahoma City also lost last night, so with a win tonight by New Orleans over Minnesota and an O-K-C loss to Portland, the Pelicans can clinch a playoff spot. And Russell Westbrook will be able to play tonight, the NBA has rescinded the technical foul he picked up last night or else he was facing a one-game suspension.

The ESPN produced film “Shaq and Dale” debuts tonight on the SEC Network at eight PM. Country music superstar Tim McGraw does the naration and it examines the special relationship between Shaquille O’ Neal and Dale Brown.

James Hinchcliffe won the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana yesterday at NOLA motorsports Park.

The fourth ranked LSU baseball took two of three from Auburn this past weekend. The Tigers lost for just the sixth time all season on Saturday, but rebounded with a six-to-two win on Sunday to avoid their first two-game losing streak of the season. Coach Paul Mainieri on bouncing back from a loss on Saturday…

cut 16 (16) “certainly did”

The Tigers will host Lamar Wednesday night before hitting the road to Athens for a weekend SEC series against Georgia.

The Pels’ defense held James Harden scoreless in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t quite enough as Houston defeated New Orleans 121-114. Harden lead all scorers with 30 and Anthony Davis lead the Pelicans with 27. Jrue Holiday came off the bench to add 17. Despite the loss, New Orleans remains in a tie with Oklahoma City for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference after the Thunder lost to the Pacers 116-104.

In college baseball action, Tulane avoided a sweep of Houston after a 3-1 victory over the Cougars.

Louisiana Tech dropped two out of three to Middle Tennessee State in Conference USA action.

In the Southland, Northwestern State swept three from UNO, McNeese State took two out of three against Lamar, Nicholls State won two of three against Central Arkansas this weekend, and Southeastern Louisiana dropped two out of three in Salt Lake City against Utah. Southeastern remains atop the Conference standings, followed closely by Northwestern State and McNeese.

In Sun Belt action, ULM was swept by league leading Georgia State and UL-Lafayette took three this weekend from Jackson State.

James Hinchcliffe is the inaugural winner of the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana in Avondale. A rainy day at NOLA Motorsports Park saw the race being called after 47 laps of a scheduled 75. 20 of the last 26 laps were raced under caution due to rain.

After a two-hour rain delay, LSU takes game one in their weekend series with Auburn 3-2. Jared Poche’ picked up his sixth win of the season as the third ranked Tigers have now won seven in a row. Game two is scheduled for 6:30 at Alex Box Stadium.

A walkoff hit in the bottom of the ninth gives 22nd ranked Houston a 4-3 win over Tulane. The teams will meet again this afternoon at 2PM.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech beat Middle Tennessee 7-3. That series resumes at 4PM.

In the Southland, Northwestern swept a double header against UNO. The Demons took game one 5-4 and game two 5-3. Game three is at 2PM.

Central Arkansas blanked Nicholls State 7-0 and Southeastern Louisiana upended Utah 3-2.

In the Sun Belt, the ULM-Georgia State game was suspended due to rain after two innings with ULM ahead 2-0. They’ll resume that game at two o’clock and play another after that. UL-Lafayette pushed the opening game of their series against Jackson State. The two teams will play a double-header today.

The Pelicans bounced back from Wednesday’s ugly performance to score a 90-75 win over the Phoenix Suns. Anthony Davis lead the way with 19 points followed by Eric Gordon with 15 and Tyreke Evans with 14. Jrue Holiday returned after missing 41 games with a leg injury. Holiday had two points and five assists in about 16 minutes of action. The Pelicans remain tied for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with Oklahoma City, who defeated Sacramento last night 116-103.

The Saints have signed veteran linebacker Anthony Spencer. The 31-year-old has played his entire eight-year career in Dallas and had a big season in 2012 with 11 sacks. Current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was the D-C in Dallas that year. Spencer injured his knee in 2013 and only had a half sack last season.

The first ever Grand Prix of Louisiana takes place Sunday at NOLA motorsports in Avondale. There are seven American drivers that are part of the field that also includes international stars Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves. They will travel around the 2.7 mile course 75 times. The green flag is set to drop at 2:30.

The Saints announced the signing of veteran linebacker Anthony Spencer. The 31-year-old has played his entire eight-year career in Dallas and had a big season in 2012 with 11 sacks. Current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was the D-C in Dallas that year. Spencer injured his knee in 2013 and only had a half sack last season.

The LSU baseball begins a weekend series tonight against Auburn. Jared Poche will toe the rubber for the Tigers, while Auburn counters with sophomore right-hander Cole Lipscomb. Coach Paul Mainieri says LSU’s hitters will see some good pitching this weekend…
cut 18 (19) “….against Arkansas”
First pitch, weather permitting is at 7 PM.

The Pelicans face the Phoenix Suns tonight as New Orleans continues its push to get into the playoffs. The Pels are tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and there’s just four regular season games left. Point guard Jrue Holiday, who has missed the last 41 games with a stress reaction in his right leg, is listed as questionable for tonight’s game, which tips off at 7 PM.

The first ever Grand Prix of Louisiana takes place Sunday at NOLA motorsports in Avondale. There are seven American drivers that are part of the field that also includes international stars Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves. They will travel around the 2.7 mile course 75 times. The green flag is set to drop at 2:30.

The rainy forecast will have an impact on baseball games this weekend. U-L Lafayette and McNeese State have already decided not to play play their baseball games tonight and they’ll try to play a doubleheader tomorrow.

The Pelicans resume their playoff chase tonight as they host the Phoenix Suns. The Pels are a nine point favorite to win tonight as the Suns are struggling. They’ve lost seven of their last eight. New Orleans is tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

LSU baseball begins a weekend set tonight against Auburn, but the forecast doesn’t look great. There’s a 90-percent chance of rain on Friday and Sunday. Coach Paul Mainieri hopes the weather will not be a distraction…
cut 17 (13) “….same thing”
Jared Poche will get the start on the mound tonight for LSU. Auburn counters with sophomore right-hander Cole Lipscomb, who is 4-0 with a 2.65 ERA.

And former LSU Tiger and St. Thomas More star Mikie Mahtook has been called up to the Big Leagues by the Tampa Bay Rays.

It looks like former Saint Jimmy Graham doesn’t have the respect of one of his new teamamtes. Seattle defensive lineman Michael Bennett called Graham soft after the Seahawks played the Saints in the 2013 playoffs. Bennett was asked during a radio interview in Seattle if he still felt that way, and Bennett said he sure does.

The Saints have released their upcoming preseason schedule. New Orleans will begin the four-week exhibition slate at Baltimore and then host defending Super Bowl champion New England and the Houston Texans in week two and three. The Black and Gold visit Green Bay in the preseason finale. The only specific date and time that’s been finalized is the game against the Texans, which is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday August 30th at 3 PM.

Former Ragin Cajuns star Charles Tillman has signed with the Carolina Panthers. Tillman leads active defensive backs with 41 forced fumbles and is fourth with 36 interceptions, but has only played 10 games the last two seasons because of triceps injuries.

The LSU Tigers put their six-game winning streak on the line tonight when they host Auburn to begin a weekend set with the War Eagles. In their last 12 games, LSU has had at least 10 hits in each of those contests and shortstop Alex Bregman says there’s not an easy out in their line-up…

cut 16 (09) “keep doing that”

Jared Poche will get the start on the mound tonight while Auburn is expected to counter with sophomore right-hander Cole Lipscomb. Tonight’s game is set to begin at 7 PM, but the forecast doesn’t look good for the weekend as there’s an 80 to 90-percent chance of rain each day.

Former LSU standout Mikie Mahtook will get a taste of the big leagues tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays called up Mahtook from Triple-A Durham to replace John Jaso in the lineup. During his time at LSU, Mahtook batted .344, with 35 home runs, and 60 stolen bases. The Rays play the Marlins in Miami tonight.

The Saints have released their upcoming preseason schedule. New Orleans will begin the four-week exhibition slate at Baltimore and then host defending Super Bowl champion New England and the Houston Texans in week two and three. The Black and Gold visit Green Bay in the preseason finale. The only specific date and time that’s been finalized is the game against the Texans, which is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday August 30th at 3 PM.

In other NFL news…former Ragin Cajuns star Charles Tillman has signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. The 34-year-old cornerback has 36 interceptions in his career, but only played two games for the Chicago Bears last year because of a triceps injury.

Former LSU running back Stevan Ridley has signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. Ridley spent his first four seasons with the Patriots, but his season ended last year in October with an ACL injury.

The Pelicans are tied with Oklahoma City for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both teams are in action tonight as the Thunder host the Kings while the Pels take on Phoenix in the Smoothie King Center. There are just four games left in the regular season.