The heirs to Tom Benson’s professional franchises say they would like to see the Saints and Pelicans flourish as world champions in New Orleans. Michelle Southern has the story…
cut 3 (28) “…reporting”

In other Saints news…the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Black and Gold offered cornerback Brandon Browner a contract that would pay him over five million dollars a season. Browner helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl this past season. And free agent running back CJ Spiller is in New Orleans today visiting with the Saints.

Louisiana Tech will play Rice tonight at 8:30 in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament. If the Bulldogs win tonight, they’ll play in the semi-finals on Friday at 5:30. Coach Michael White says it’s a disadvantage to play late tonight and then turn around and play another game in less than 24 hours….
cut 17 (10) “…won’t be correct”
Tech beat Rice earlier this season 58-45 in Ruston.

At the Southland Tournament…McNeese State and UNO advanced last night and tonight the Cowboys will play Northwestern State, while the Privateers take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi at 7:30.

In LSU spring football news…Jerald Hawkins has been working out at left tackle. He could be a possible replacement to La’el Collins at that position. Hawkins started at right tackle last season.

And the number one ranked LSU baseball team blanked McNeese Seven to nothing.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team begins play tonight in the Conference USA tournament. The Bulldogs won the regular season title and a conference tournament championship will give them an automatic berth in the Big Dance. Tech Coach Michael White believes the CUSA Tournament is up for grabs…

cut 16 (09) “handful”

Tech plays tonight at 8:30 PM against Rice, who defeated North Texas 82-54 last night. If the Bulldogs win tonight, they’ll play in the semi-finals on Friday at 5:30.

In the Southland tournament, UNO eliminated Nicholls State 82-73 and McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana had to go to overtime before the Cowboys could squeak out a win 62-60.

The Pelicans now hold sole possession of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after Chris Paul and the Clippers raced past Oklahoma City 120-108. The Pels will look to strengthen their hold Sunday when they host Denver.

Tom Benson files a lawsuit that attempts to secure the ownership shares of the Saints and Pelicans from a trust fund that his relatives currently have control over. The federal suit is aimed at Robert Rosenthal who has blocked a previous effort by Benson to remove the teams from the trust. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this is a desperation move on Benson’s part…

cut 4 (08) “from the trust”

Meche gives Benson very little chance of winning, here.

There are reports that free agent running back CJ Spiller will visit the Saints. Spiller has spent his five years in the league with the Buffalo Bills, with his best season coming in 2012 when he rushed for over 1200 yards. Injuries allowed Spiller to only play in nine games last season.

In other Saints news…linebacker David Hawthorne has reportedly taken a pay cut to remain with the Black and Gold. Hawthorne’s base salary went from two million to one-point-one-nine million dollars.

At the Boys’ Top 28 tournament in Lake Charles … Anacoco and Midland have advanced to the Class B Championship game. The Class 1-A title game will pit Madison Prep against Lafayette Christian.

So now that the Saints have traded tight end Jimmy Graham, what’s next for the Black and Gold. There are reports that the Saints are interested in bringing running back Reggie Bush back. The former first round pick, who helped New Orleans win a Super Bowl is coming off an injury plagued season in Detroit. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Bush would be a nice pick up, if the price is right….
cut 15 (08) “….settle for”
The Saints are not the only team interested in Bush. He’s reportedly visiting the 49ers today.

In other Saints news…linebacker David Hawthorne has reportedly taken a pay cut to remain with the Black and Gold. Hawthorne’s base salary went from two million to one-point-one-nine million. And former Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has signed with the Oakland Raiders. And Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis has apparently told the team to guarantee the remaining three years of his contract or cut him.

The Pelicans are off tonight as they get a chance to rest after winning back to back road games in Milwaukee and Brooklyn. The Pelicans cut down the Nets 111 to 91 to move into a tie with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder host Chris Paul and the Clippers tonight.

The Southland Conference Tournament cranks up today in Katy, Texas. On the men’s side McNeese State battles Southeastern Louisiana, while Nicholls State takes on UNO. The Colonels have won three straight.

Louisiana Tech senior guard Speedy Smith has been named Conference USA Player of the Year and the Bulldogs Michael White has been named Coach of the Year. Tech enters the Conference USA Tournament as the top seed and they’ll play either North Texas or Rice in the quarterfinals tomorrow night.

Today at the Boys Top 28 Tournament in Lake Charles…it’s the Class B Semi-finals….Florien versus Midland and Anacoco against Fairview.

Many in the Who Dat Nation are in shock after the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham plus a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’s draft. Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says it will be hard for New Orleans to replace that kind of production…
cut 14 (08) “give up something”
There are reports the Saints are also looking at bringing back running back Reggie Bush. But CBS Sports reports that Bush is visiting with the San Francisco 49ers today.

And former Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has reportedly signed with the Oakland Raiders. And Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis has asked the team to guarantee the remaining three years of his contract or let him go.

The Pelicans are now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after cutting down the Brooklyn Nets 111 to 91 last night. New Orleans is now 36-and-29 and there’s 17 games left in the regular season.

Louisiana Tech senior guard Speedy Smith has been named Conference USA Player of the Year and the Bulldogs Michael White has been named Coach of the Year. Tech enters the conference USA Championship as the top seed and they’ll play either North Texas or Rice in the quarterfinals tomorrow night.

The Southland Tournament starts today in Katy, Texas. Southeastern Louisiana takes on McNeese State, while UNO faces Nicholls State at 7:30. The Colonels enter the tourney on a three-game winning streak.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team has won six in a row and they were scheduled to play at Southern tonight, but that game has been delayed until April 8th because of poor field condition.

The LSU baseball team will attempt to play at four PM today against McNeese State.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the decision to trade tight end Jimmy Graham was a difficult one and they wish him the best. New Orleans pulled off a shocking deal with Seattle yesterday that sent Graham and a fourth round pick to the Seahawks for center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’ draft. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Unger improves a Saints o-line that has some holes in it….
cut 13 (11) “….in there”

In the NBA, the Pelicans had six players who scored in double figures last night in a 111-91 win over Brooklyn. Quincy Pondexter and Alexis Ajinca each had 17 points, Eric Gordon and Norris Cole had 16 points a piece and Anthony Davis had 15 for New Orleans, who is now tied with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot int he Western Conference.

LSU baseball will face McNeese State at four o’ clock today. The game was moved up two and a half hours in the hopes of avoiding expected rainfall tonight. Also at four o’ clock today, Louisiana Tech hosts long-time rival Northwestern State. U-L-M is set to host Grambling at six P-M. The Ragin Cajuns, who have won six in a row, are at Southern. And Southeastern Louisiana is at South Alabama.

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris spoke last night and told reporters his second spring practice is easier mentally than his first….
cut 29 (11) “…quarterback here”
Harris is battling Anthony Jennings for the starting quarterback spot at LSU.

At the Boys Top 28 Tournament in Lake Charles, Natchitoches Central and Scotlandville advanced to the Class 5 A Championship, while Atlanta and New Living Word will battle for the Class C title on Friday afternoon.

It may go down as one of the biggest trades in franchise history. The Saints have reportedly sent Pro-Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year’s NFL draft. Reports of the trade started coming out around three o’ clock just as the NFL free agency period began.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints have three areas on their football roster that need to improve and offensive line is one of those….
cut 18 (11) “….free agency”
Unger is considered one of the best centers in the NFL, even though he’s coming off a season where he missed ten games because of injuries.

In other Saints news…running back Reggie Bush is consdering a possible return to the Saints and cornerback Keenan Lewis wants the remaining three years of his contract guaranteed or else he wants to be cut.

The Pelicans are at Brooklyn tonight. A win for New Orleans and they move into a tie with Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tyreke Evans will not play tonight for the Pels, after injuring his ankle in last night’s win over the Bucks.

LSU’s Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey have been named first team All-SEC players. Mickey is also on the All-SEC defensive team.

ULM’s Keith Richard has been named Sun Belt Coach of the Year. The Warhawks finished third in the league this year.

The Ragin Cajuns head into the Sun Belt Tournament on a six-game winning streak. They’ll play on Friday against either U-T Arlington or Texas State. The Cajuns won the tourney last year and Coach Bob Marlin believes his team can do it again, based on how they are playing….
cut 20 (13) “….of the year”

NFL teams can begin signing free agents this afternoon and football analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints biggest needs are at cornerback and and offensive line. Detillier says the team also needs to revamp their linebacking corps as well. He says the Saints don’t have a lot of money to spend, because of the salary cap, but that won’t stop them from getting the players they need…
cut 17 (08) “….free agency”
The Saints have freed up some money releasing veteran linebacker Curtis Lofton and re-working Junior Galette’s deal.

Anthony Davis played like an MVP last night as he scored 43 points and hit several big shots down the stretch to lead the Pelicans to a 114 to 103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Davis also had 10 rebounds for his 34th double-double of the season. New Orleans is at Brookyln tonight.

Jordan Mickey and Jarrell Martin have been named first team All SEC as selected by the league’s coaches. Martin is averaging close to 17 points per a game, while Mickey is averaging 16 points a contest. Mickey has also been named to the all-sec defensive team.

U-L-M’s Keith Richard has been named the coach of the year in the Sun Belt…
cut 30 (12) “….to the tournament”
The Warhawks will play either South Alabama or Arkansas Little Rock in the Sun Belt Tournament on Friday.

Also, U-L-M’s Tylor Ongwae and UL Lafayette’s Shawn Long have been named to the first team Sun Belt All Conference squad.

And Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Smith and Michale Kyser have been named to the Conference USA All-Defensive team.

The Boys top tournament gets underway today in Lake Charles. Tonight it’s the Class Five-A semifinals.

The roster purge continued for the Saints today as the team has cut linebacker Curtis Lofton. The move is expected to free up four-million dollars in salary cap space. The 28-year Lofton had 144 tackles last season, fourth most in the NFL. New Orleans had to move Lofton, because they need to get under the NFL’s salary cap by tomorrow afternoon.

Spring football is underway for LSU and it’s an opportunity for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to install his defense. Coach Les Miles says the Tigers “D” will look familiar to fans…
cut 18 (15) “….carry over”
It doesn’t look like defensive tackle Travonte Valentine will be involved in Kevin Steel’s defense. Miles says Valentine is not a guy they are counting on at this point. NOLA-dot-com reports Valentine is dealing with personal issues.

The Pelicans will continue their playoff push tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. New Orleans is coming off a win over Memphis on Saturday and Anthony Davis has been playing at a high level in the three games he’s played since returning from a shoulder injury, during that stretch he’s averaged 30 points and 12 rebounds a game. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

LSU’s Keith Hornsby has been named a co-Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Hornsby hit the game winning three-pointer against Arkansas on Saturday to help the Tigers get the four seed in the SEC Tournament.

The other winner is Southeastern Louisiana guard Cedric Jenkins, who had 39 points in a loss to UNO last week. S-L-U has lost five in a row, but they are still in the Southland Tournament. The Lions are an eight seeed and they’ll face McNeese State at five P-M on Wednesday in Katy, Texas.

And in college baseball…LSU is ranked number one by Baseball America. The Tigers are coming off a weekend in which they beat Houston, Baylor and Nebraska at a tournament in Houston.

The LSU Tigers won all three of its baseball games in Houston this past weekend and they are now ranked number one by Baseball America. The Tigers completed the weekend sweep with a four to two win over Nebraska. Conner Hale drove in two runs and Jake Godfrey pitched seven strong innings for his third win on the season. LSU is now ranked fourth in both the D-1 baseball-dot-com poll and Perfect Game.

The Ragin Cajuns are off to a 3-and-0 start in the Sun Belt as U-L Lafayette swept Troy. The Cajuns beat the Trojans ten to five yesterday as senior first baseman Greg Davis drove in five runs.

Northwestern State is 3-and-0 in Southland play. The Demons took three from Lamar, while Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese and Nicholls took two out of three from their repsective opponents.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech’s Speedy Smith was named to the Conference USA First Team for a second straight year.

Over the weekend, the Saints signed running back Mark Ingram to a four-year, 16-million dollar contract. Ingram will reportedly receive seven-point-six million in guaranteed money and a 3-point-six million dollar signing bonus and the cap hit for this year is one-point-nine million dollars.

Spring football is underway for the LSU Tigers. Coach Les Miles says quarterbacks Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings have matured since the end of the 2014 season…
cut 17 (19) “….those things”
LSU’s next practice is tomorrow.

Tonight the Pelicans are at Milwaukee. New Orleans is one game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Spring football is underway for the LSU Tigers. A point of emphasis is the passing game. The Tigers ranked 114th in the country in pass offense last year and Coach Les Miles says they will throw it a lot this spring…

cut 16 (11) “will be fun”

Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris will once again battle to be the starting quarterback.

Kyle Hornsby’s three pointer as time expired lifted LSU over 18th ranked Arkansas 81-78 in Fayetteville. The Tigers finish the regular season 22-9 record and get the fourth-seed in the SEC Tournament. LSU’s first tournament game will be Friday afternoon in Nashville.

The Sun Belt tournament kicks off Thursday in New Orleans. ULM earned a number three seed in the tourney, while UL-Lafayette picks up the four seed. Both teams receive first round byes and will play Friday.

The Southland Conference tournament gets underway Wednesday with number 8 Southeastern Louisiana facing fifth seed McNeese followed by seventh seeded UNO versus number six Nicholls State.

In college baseball, the second ranked LSU Tigers went 3-0 at the Houston College Classic after Sunday’s 4-2 win over Nebraska at Minute Maid Park. The Tigers extend their winning streak to 12 games, their longest since 2013. LSU will host Nicholls State Wednesday night at Alex Box Stadium before opening SEC play over the weekend when Ole Miss comes to Baton Rouge.

UL-Lafayette swept their three game series with Troy over the weekend opening their Sun Belt Conference Schedule. The Cajuns improve to 10-5 on the season and will host UNO tomorrow night.

ULM lost two out of three against Texas State. The Warhawks are 7-6 and will host Grambling tomorrow night.

In the Southland, McNeese took two of three over Houston Baptist, UNO was swept by Sam Houston State, Nicholls won two of three over Abilene Christian, Southeastern Louisiana bested Incarnate Word two out of three game, and Northwestern State swept their three game series over Lamar.