The New Orleans Saints have released running back Pierre Thomas from the team. The 30-year-old will save the Black and Gold $1.735 million dollars against the salary cap. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a heart breaking move, but not really a surprise…:

cut 13 (09) “a year too late”

New Orleans needs to continue to move or lay-off some players by March 10th to get below the salary cap.

Anthony Davis returned to the Pelicans lineup last night and poured in 39 as the Pels outlasted Detroit 88-85. Tyreke Evans added 21 and Alexis Ajinca scored 10 as the Pelicans have won five of their last six. The Pels remain one game behind Oklahoma City for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Tennessee erupted for 45 second half points as they defeated LSU 78-63. Keith Hornsby lead the way for the Tigers with 25 points, followed Jordan Mickey with 16. Tennessee has now beaten LSU five straight times at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

With just two regular season games left, the ULM men’s basketball team is in a three way tie for first place in the Sun Belt Conference. The Warhawks host Georgia State tonight, one of the three teams they are tied with at the top of the standings. ULM Coach Keith Richard likes the position his squad is in….

cut 16 (20) “we have an opportunity”

ULM lost to Georgia State by 20 points in the Sun Belt opener back on December 30th.

At the Girls Top 28 tournament…Mansfield had a convincing 60-44 victory over Ville Platte in the Class 3-A semifinal. The Lady Wolverines will face defending champion University Lab in Friday’s state championship game.

In college baseball…Second ranked LSU defeated Grambling 7-1 and UL-Lafayette completed a season sweep of Northwestern State with an 8-2 win last night.

There’s a report that New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas will be released from the team. The move would result in salary-cap space for the Black and Gold who need the extra cash. Thomas was set to make $2.1 million next season and $2.2 million in 2016 according records.

It’s also being reported that the Saints are looking to trade linebacker Curtis Lofton. The 28-year-old led New Orleans in tackles last season, but has a salary cap number of just over nine million dollars in 2015.

Also, Saints free safety Jarius Byrd tweeted out today that he’s been officially cleared for the 2015 season. Byrd missed most of the 2014 campaign after injuring his knee.

And there’s also a report the Broncos and Peyton Manning are in the final stages of a revised contract that will result in a four-million dollar cut in pay for the New Orleans native. The five-time NFL MVP is entering his 18th season and he would make 15-million dollars under the revised deal.

In the NBA…the Pelicans host the Detroit tonight, Anthony Davis is questionable with an injured shoulder.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts the Tennessee Volunteers tonight. The Tigers are 10-and-6 in league play. LSU guard Keith Hornsby says they are trying to close out the regular season on a strong note….
cut 18 (13) “….to us”
The Volunteers have lost five in a row, a losing streak that started with a loss to LSU on Valentine’s Day. Tip-off tonight is at 6 PM.

At the girls Top 28 tournament tonight, …Ville Platte hosts Mansfield in a Class 3-A semi-final match-up. Ville Platte lost in the state title game last year. Also tonight….a class two-a semi-final contest as top-seeded Pickering battles 29th seeded Lakeview.

Earlier today, fourth seeded Stanley upset top seeded Florien 43-38 to reach the Class B championship game on Friday.

The LSU men’s basketball team seeks its fourth straight victory tonight as the Tigers host Tennessee. The Volunteers have lost five in a row, but LSU guard Keith Hornsby says despite Tennessee’s struggles they can’t look past them…
cut 17 (09) “….battle of course”
LSU is 10-and-6 in the SEC and hoping to win its last two regular season games so that they can lock up a top four seed in the SEC Tournament, which means they would receive a double bye.

The Pelicans are one game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference heading into tonight’s home game against the Detroit Pistons. There’s a chance Anthony Davis will play tonight for the Pels as he’s listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. The Thunder host Philadelphia tonight at 7:00, a game they will likely win, so New Orleans also needs to get a victory.

The LSU baseball team improved to 11-and-1 on the season last night with an eight to one victory over Stephen F Austin. Danny Zardon hit his second home run of the season and Kyle Bouman struck out a career-high six hitters. LSU will host Grambling State this afternoon.

In other action today….the Ragin Cajuns host Northwestern State. U-L Lafayette is coming off a series victory over Alabama, while the Demons have won four in a row, including a seven to nothing victory over ULM last night.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts Southern. The Lions have won four in a row as well, as they defeated Alcorn State 13 to 3 last night. Southeastern’s Kyle Keller struck out eight to get the win.

Louisiana Tech was scheduled to be at Arkansas tonight, but that game has been cancelled because of the weather.

So the attention turns to the Bulldogs basketball game tomorrow night against Southern Miss. A win for Tech and they win an outright Conference USA Championship.

ULM is also home tomorrow as they host Georgia State in a battle for first place in the Sun Belt.

The number seven LSU Baseball team blew out Stephen F. Austin last night 8-1 at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers’ Kyle Bouman struck out a career-high seven in picking up win. LSU’s Danny Zardon had two hits, including a 400 ft. plus solo home run. The Tigers have now won eight in a row to improve to 11-1. LSU hosts Grambling this afternoon at 3PM.

25th ranked Tulane shutout Nicholls State 5-0. The Green Wave’s Patrick Duester gets his second win of the season after pitching six shutout innings and striking out seven. Second baseman Jake Willsey drove in two runs as Tulane improves to 11-2 on the season.

Northwestern State rolled past ULM 7-0. Demons’ sophomore Evan Tidwell threw a complete game two hit shutout. Second baseman David Fry cracked a three-run double to help Northwestern to even up their record at 6-6.

McNeese State beat Sam Houston State five to two. Junior Ethan Stremmel picked up the win for the Cowboys while left fielder Lewis Guilbeau drove in two runs.

Southeastern Louisiana thumped Alcorn State 13 to 3. Outfielder Ryan Byers drove in three runs and Senior Kyle Keller pitched six shutout innings for the Lions.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays its final home game of the year tonight as they host the Tennessee Volunteers at six pm in the Maravich Center. These two teams met in Knoxville on Valentine’s Day and it was all LSU as they won by 18 points. LSU forward Jarell Martin expects a tougher game this time around…

cut 16 (10) “hard fought battle”

The Volunteers bring a five-game losing streak to Baton Rouge.

The Pelicans look to get back to their winning ways tonight when they host the Detroit Pistons. Dallas broke the Pels five game winning streak Monday night and the Pistons come into tonight’s game looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat. Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7PM.

And at the Girls Top 28 tournament in Lake Charles…Summerfield and Pleasant Hill have advanced to the Class C title game. North Central and Vermilion Catholic have reached the Class 1-A title.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Saints will likely restructure wide receiver Marques Colston’s contract. Colston’s salary counts nine-point-seven million dollars against the 2015 salary cap and the Black and Gold need to trim about 22-million dollars in salaries to get under the salary cap. Schefter also added that he doesn’t expect Colston to be cut.

The LSU baseball team is set to host Stephen F Austin at Alex Box Stadium tonight. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri is still looking for a starting third baseman he can count on. Tonight he’ll give Conner Hale a chance at the hot corner. Hale has started at first and second base this season.

In other college baseball action tonight…Northwestern State hosts ULM. The Demons are five and six on the year, while the Warhawks are six and three.

McNeese State is at Sam Houston, Tulane travels to Nicholls State, who is 7-3-and-1 on the season. And Southeastern Louisiana hosts Alcorn State.

Spring football gets underway today for the Ragin Cajuns. There will be a battle for quarterback as Terrance Broadway has used up all of his elgibility. Coach Mark Hudspeth has hinted that Brooks Haack has a slight edge over two other Q-B’s in camp, Jalen Nixon and Jordan Davis.

Spring football also got underway today for Nicholls State and its new head coach Tim Rebowe. Grambling State spring football starts tomorrow.

You can make the case that Tim Quarterman is the most improved player on LSU’s basketball team. He’s averaging 12 points a game , compared to just three points a contest last year. The Georgia native says positive conversations with Coach Johnny Jones during the offseason gave him the confidence he could have a big impact on this year’s team….
cut 18 (15) “….mindset”
LSU hosts Tennessee tomorrow night.

The LSU baseball team is set to host Stephen F Austin at Alex Box Stadium tonight. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri is still looking for a starting third baseman he can count on. Tonight he’ll give Conner Hale a chance at the hot corner. Hale has started at first and second base this season.

In other college baseball action tonight…Northwestern State hosts ULM. The Demons are five and six on the year, while the Warhawks are six and three.

McNeese State is at Sam Houston, Tulane travels to Nicholls State, who is 7-3-and-1 on the season. And Southeastern Louisiana hosts Alcorn State.

In college hoops last night, the Lions lost to Northwestern State 92-79. The Demons improve to 12-and-4 four in the Southland. McNeese State got a big win as they look to make the Southland Tournament. The Cowboys edged Lamar 70 to 69. And Nicholls State beat UNO in overtime.

LSU sophomore guard Tim Quarterman is the SEC player of the week. Quarterman had a triple-double versus Ole Miss on Saturday. Quarterman is the third player in LSU history to record a triple-double, Shaquille O’ Neal and Pete Maravich are the other two. Quarterman says his mother is really proud of what he did…
cut 17 (14) “…it was just special”
Quarterman and the Tigers host Tennessee tomorrow night.

In the NBA…the Pelicans five-game winning streak ended last night as New Orleans fell to Dallas 102-93. The Pels will try to start a new win streak on Wednesday when they host Detroit.

And there are reports the Saints will need to shed 22-million dollars by March tenth to get under the NFL salary cap. That means some high-priced players could be released over the next week.

The Pelicans’ five game winning streak came to an end last night with a 102-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Norris Cole came off the bench to lead the Pels with 19, followed by Eric Gordon’s 18. The third quarter was the key as the Mavs held the Pelicans to 26-percent shooting from the floor while outscoring the Pels 25-13. The Pelicans remain one game behind Oklahoma City for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot. The Pels will host Detroit tomorrow night.

In Southland Conference basketball last night, Kevin Hardy hit a layup with six seconds remaining to give McNeese State a 70-69 win over Lamar, last night. Desharick Guidry lead the way for the Cowboys with 23, Hardy followed with 19. With the win, McNeese improves to 7-10 in the league.

Nicholls State beat UNO 89-79. Ja’Dante’ Frye lead the Colonels with 23.

And Northwestern State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 92-79. Zeek Woodley lead the Demons with 21, while the Lions’ Cedric Jenkins lead all scorers with 25. The loss puts Southeastern a half game behind Houston Baptist for the final spot in the Southland Conference tournament.

LSU sophomore guard Tim Quarterman is the SEC player of the week. Quarterman had a triple-double over the weekend, the first one for LSU since Shaquille O’ Neal did it in 1992. Quarterman had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Ole Miss on Saturday and he didn’t know he was close to accomplishing the feat…

cut 16 (16) “Pistol Pete”

Quarterman is the third player in LSU history to record a triple-double, Shaquille O’ Neal and Pete Maravich are the other two.

In college baseball, the second ranked LSU Tigers host Stephen F. Austin tonight. Senior left-hander Kyle Bouman will get the start tonight for the Tigers, while the Lumberjacks will counter with junior left-hander Eric Polivka. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30.

Nicholls State hosts number 25 Tulane tonight at Ray Diddier Field.

And Southeastern Louisiana will take on Alcorn State tonight in Hammond. First pitch is at 6PM.

The Pelicans take a five-game winning streak into Dallas tonight. New Orleans has been able to get on this nice roll despite not having the services of Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson because of injuries. New Orleans begins action tonight, just a half game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

A legal battle is brewing between LSU and its former defensive coordinator John Chavis, as LSU is seeking a 400-thousand dollar contractual buyout from Chavis. Both sides have filed lawsuits and Legal Analyst Tim Meche expects this case will be settled out of court…
cut 5 (11) “…to the public”
Chavis claims he doesn’t owe the money, because he took the proper steps when he left LSU to avoid the buyout.

In the NFL, the Steelers released former Saints wide receiver Lance Moore.

Spring football begins today for the ULM Warhawks. ULM has to find a new starting quarterback. Brayle Brown is listed number one on the team’s depth chart, after completing 12 passes last year, but Coach Todd Berry says Brown will compete against a couple of other quarterbacks….
cut 19 (22) “…grow up”
Spring football begins tomorrow for the Ragin Cajuns and the Nicholls State Colonels.

The latest D-1 baseball rankings are out…LSU is number seven after sweeping Princeton. Tulane has cracked the rankings as the Green Wave are ranked 25th and they are 8-and-3 heading into tomorrow night’s game at Nicholls State.

LSU’s Tim Quarterman has been named the SEC men’s basketball Player of the Week. Quarterman had a triple-double in Saturday’s win over Ole Miss. The sophomore guard is only the third player in LSU to record a triple double. He had 18 points, ten rebounds and ten assists. The win gives LSU a 21-8 record and improves its chances of making the NCAA Tournament.

The Pelicans won their fifth straight last night as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 99 to 92. New Orleans remains a half game back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tonight the Pels are at Dallas, who is seeking its 40th win of the year. Tip-off is at 7:30.

The latest D-1 baseball rankings are out…LSU is number seven after sweeping Princeton. Tulane has cracked the rankings as the Green Wave are ranked 25th and they are 8-and-3 heading into tomorrow night’s game at Nicholls State.

ULM officials break ground today on a new facility that will be located behind the end zone at Malone Stadium. It will feature a new locker room, a Hall of Fame area and new coaches’ offices. Warhawks Coach Todd Berry says the facility will have an impact on their current players and recruiting…
cut 18 (15) “…period of time”
Today is also the first day of spring football for the Warhawks.

LSU and its former defensive coordinator John Chavis are in a legal battle over whether “The Chief” owes LSU a 400-thousand dollar contractrual buyout. Chavis doesn’t believe so and filed a lawsuit in Texas, LSU countersued and Legal analyst Tim Meche says the courts have determine where the case will be heard, Texas or Louisiana…
cut 4 (10) “…jury”

The Pelicans have now won five in a row after defeating the Denver Nuggets last night 99-92. Tyreke Evans lead all scorers with 22. Eric Gordon threw in 18 as the Pels handed the Nuggets their tenth straight home loss. The Pelicans improve to 32-27 and trail Oklahoma City by a game and a half for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Pels are on the road again tonight to take on Dallas.

In College Baseball over the weekend, The UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns took two of three from 25th ranked Alabama after yesterday’s 14-2 victory over the Crimson Tide. The Cajuns improve to 6-5 on the season and host Northwestern State Wednesday.

The second ranked LSU Tigers swept Princeton at Alex Box Stadium. The three wins improves LSU to 10-1. LSU returns to action tomorrow night when they host Stephen F. Austin.

ULM swept Sam Houston State at Warhawk field. This is the Warhawk’s first three-game series sweep in nearly a year.

LA Tech took two of three this weekend from Oral Roberts. And Nicholls State defeated Utah 4-1 in their weekend series finale. The Colonels won three out of four against the Utes at Ray Didier Field.

ULM officials will break ground today on a new end zone building at Malone Stadium. It’s the first new athletic facility built on campus in 1983 and it will feature a new locker room, a Hall of Fame area and new coaches’ offices. Coach Todd Berry says the project has been a long time coming for the program….

cut 17 (16) “excited about it”

Today is also the first day of spring football for the Warhawks.

In college basketball, LSU won their third straight after defeating Ole Miss 73-63. Jarell Martin and Tim Quarterman lead all scorers with 18 each.

It was Louisiana Tech over UT-San Antonio 76-66. All five Bulldog starters scored in double figures. Tech has a game and a half lead over UAB for the Conference USA lead.

UL-Lafayette upset Georgia Southern 68-58. And ULM lost to Appalachian State 66-43. Despite the loss, the Warhawks remain in a three way tie for first in the Sun Belt.