Feb. 8: LSU's 2024 signing class is complete. Where do the Tigers stand?

Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais and beat writer Sheldon Mickles join sports editor Perryn Keys to break down what happened Sunday when a great SEC championship game between LSU and South Carolina was marred by a fourth-quarter fight.

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Rab takes a moment to break down LSU's march through the SEC tournament, during which the Tigers showed quite a bit of toughness — including Angel Reese's swollen ankle, Last-Tear Poa's scary hit to the head and Mikaylah Williams' return to action — before the fracas that erupted late in the fourth quarter.

The guys then break down the wild scene and the fallout. Rab takes a moment to state that from his perspective, there was plenty of blame to go around — players, officials, perhaps the coaches and the league itself.

We also discuss SEC commissioner Greg Sankey's statement, as well as the arrest of Flau'jae Johnson's brother, Trayron Lenorris Milton, for leaping the scorer's table to defend her sister against Kamilla Cardoso.

We then give our 2 cents on the coaches' reactions, as well — and, oh by the way, LSU's prospects for a No. 2 seed in next week's NCAA tournament.

Sheldon and Rab then stick around to discuss Matt McMahon and the LSU men's team, which wrapped up the regular season with a 9-9 conference record — a big jump from last year and far better than most of us expected.

The Tigers begin the SEC tournament on Thursday against Mississippi State, with a real chance at earning a bid to the NIT.

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0:00-LSU loses to South Carolina in SEC championship
10:16-Thrilla in Greenvilla! Breaking down the fight and fallout
32:00-LSU men close out regular season — better than expected

Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais and beat writer Koki Riley join sports editor Perryn Keys to break down what appears to be LSU's deepest pitching staff under Jay Johnson, as well as updates on women's basketball, gymnastics and spring football.

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Koki begins with a breakdown of the Tigers' sweep of Texas, UL-Lafayette and Texas State the previous weekend in Houston, as well as their ninth-inning rally to win Wednesday at Southeastern. With a lights-out effort by Kade Anderson and a much cleaner performance in Houston by Thatcher Hurd, the Tigers appear to have their deepest starting rotation of the Jay Johnson era. They are still experimenting with the outfield, however, mixing and matching among four players.

We then turn to Scott, who breaks down the LSU gymnastics team's pursuit of a national championship. Two regular-season meets remain for the Tigers, who slipped to No. 3 in the national rankings because of an oddity — but Rab explains why LSU will be in the hunt for a FInal Four berth when it's all said and done.

We then close out the show by taking stock of LSU's journey in the SEC women's basketball tournament, which concern about Mikaylah Williams' playing status and the Tigers' overall depth. (Yes, they're still in line for a No. 3 seed in the NCAAs.)

Finally, Rab gives his top three takeaways from the beginning of LSU's third spring practice under Brian Kelly.

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0:00-LSU baseball is off to a fine start

5:30-LSU's ninth-inning rally to win in Hammond

8:40-A dominant starting rotation

12:50-Where LSU stands in the outfield

19:00-Can the LSU gymnasts win It all?

28:00-LSU women's basketball in the SEC tournament

30:00-NCAA projections for Kim Mulkey and LSU

32:00-LSU spring football takeaways 

LSU beat writers Reed Darcey and Sheldon Mickles join sports editor Perryn Keys to take a look at basketball as we barrel toward March Madness.

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Reed begins with a recap of the LSU women's regular season, which ended with a ho-hum win over Kentucky. The Tigers finished second in the SEC and have a double-bye in the conference tournament — and Reed explains why he feels LSU looks and feels like a more complete team compared to a month ago. We also take a look at NCAA tournament projections.

We then turn to Sheldon to discuss the LSU men's basketball team. Don't look now, but Matt McMahon's team has won four five, and with two games to go, the Tigers can finish above .500 in SEC play. Doesn't seem like much? Consider that in Year 1 under McMahon, they were 2-16 in conference play.

We then close out the show by making our case for simply recognizing greatness from both NCAA career scoring leaders — women's leader Caitlin Clark, who can now say she has scored more points than Pete Maravich, and the Pistol himself, who still owns the men's record (and, by the way, averaged 44.2 points per game).

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0:00-LSU women enter SEC tournament as No. 2 seed

13:00-Will Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith go pro?

20:00-LSU men earn fourth win in five games

29:00-Assessing the Tigers' prospects for the NIT

35:00-Caitlin Clark surpasses Pete Maravich. Discuss!

LSU beat writer Wilson Alexander and columnist Scott Rabalais join sports editor Perryn Keys to take a looooong look at the LSU defense as spring practice begins.

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Wilson begins with a broad view of the defense, starting with new coordinator Blake Baker and what head coach Brian Kelly expects to see from the revamped staff.

First things first: Harold Perkins will move back inside. It's a move that is sure to concern the fan base, but Wilson and Scott give arguments for why it might still be a shrewd move.

The guys then take a deep dive on each position, starting with what looks like a solid linebacking unit, followed by some very unsettled spots, including the edge, the (thin) group at defensive tackle and in the secondary, where there are few clear answers but plenty of potential solutions.

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LSU beat writers Koki Riley and Reed Darcey join sports editor Perryn Keys to break down what we've learned about the baseball team and where the LSU women stand as they hit the homestretch.

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Koki comes on to discuss the Tigers' first eight games. Some good signs: Luke Holman looks strong, LSU has options in the infield and the bullpen has looked fairly solid, especially from the right side. Some concerns: LSU's approach at the plate has been uneven (at times), as as its starting rotation.

Koki looks ahead to Wednesday's game at Rice, followed by the Tigers' tip to Minute Maid Park to face Texas, UL and Texas State in the Astros Foundation Classic.

Reed is back from Knoxville, Tennnessee, where Hailey Van Lith had her most complete game as a Tiger and the LSU women played strong defense — yet again — in a 15-point win over the Tennessee Lady Vols. We also take a look at Angel Reese's, ahem, spirited discussion with some Lady Vols players as well as LSU's NCAA tournament projections with two regular-season games to go.

We also touch on Caitlin Clark's scoring barrage and (some) nationwide concerns over fans rushing the court.

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0:00-Intro

3:30-What's up, what's down for LSU baseball

9:30-Steven Milam is an option at shortstop

14:30-Bullpen looks strong ... and who is Fidel Ulloa?

20:05-Starting pitchers vs. Rice and Texas

23:40-Looking ahead to Rice, Texas, UL, Texas State

27:52-Impressions of Knoxville and the Lady Vols

31:25-Hailey Van Lith's best game as a Tiger

36:00-LSU's defense stands tall yet again

39:45-Looking at LSU's postseason projection

42:32-Choice words from Angel Reese!

45:15-Iowa's Caitlin Cark: appointment viewing

50:25-Fans rush the floor, some players take issue

LSU columnist Scott Rabalais and beat writer Wilson Alexander join sports editor Perryn Keys to break down the Tigers' thrilling upset of Kentucky and take an early look at spring football practice.

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The guys discuss back-to-back signature wins for Matt McMahon and the men's basketball program — most recently the Tigers' comeback win over Kentucky on an electric night in the PMAC. Scott takes a short-term look at LSU's final five regular-season games and a long-term look at the progress McMahon has made in his second year at LSU.

Wilson comes on to take a fresh look at the LSU football team, which begins spring practice in less than two weeks. The Tigers still have roster-improvement work to do, specifically at the running back and the defensive tackle positions.

The guys also discuss what they'll be looking for from new offensive co-coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton, who begin their first spring in change of the offense. We also take a look at the receiver position, Garrett Nussmeier and a sturdy offensive line.

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0:00-Intro

4:00-An electric night in the PMAC vs. Kentucky

6:30-A fresh look at LSU"s postseason prospects

8:20-Tangible signs of progress for LSU men's basketball

12:22-Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson storm the court!

13:20-A look at the homestretch for the LSU men's team

16:00-Spring football is upon us; where the roster stands

18:05-A fresh look at the RB position

22:00-Kaleb Jackson's potential role on the 2024 team

24:55-Potential targets for Garrett Nussmeier

26:10-What to expect from Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton

28:45-Utilizing more tight ends in Brian Kelly's offense

35:00-All eyes on Garrett Nussmeier

42:00-A look at CJ Daniels and the receiving corps

45:30-The luxury of four returning offensive linemen

51:00-The 3 most intriguing players in spring practice

58:10-Other unproven players to watch

LSU baseball writer Koki Riley and men's basketball writer Sheldon Mickles join sports editor Perryn Keys to break down the first weekend of baseball season and the LSU men's basketball team's big upset of No. 11 South Carolina.

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Sheldon comes on to break down how the Tigers beat South Carolina — even without star Jalen Cook, and even after they had fallen behind by 16 points in the second half. It was the first road win over a Top 15 team for second-year coach Matt McMahon, and it came shortly after LSU had dropped several one- or two-possession games against Texas A&M, Georgia and at Florida.

LSU hosts big, bad Kentucky at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the PMAC.

Koki chimes in with takeaways from the Tigers' first three baseball games — including a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas in which five pitchers combined for a shutout, followed by a record-tying 27-5 blowout of VMI on Sunday.

Koki also breaks down the pitching staff's performance, Thatcher Hurd's opening-day struggles and whether Javen Coleman will be a weekend starter moving forward.

Also, Sheldon takes a moment to discuss two former LSU track stars, Mikiah Brisco and Aleia Hobbs, who finished 1-2 in the U.S. indoor championships — and how both sprinters will make a play this summer to join Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics.

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0:00-Intro

3:30-How LSU rallied from a 16-point deficit

4:45-Where Matt McMahon's team stands in Year 2

9:00-Why LSU gets behind early, then fights to rally

10:30-How a great defensive play led to the LSU win

14:30-Was this Matt McMahon's first signature win?

15:15-Kentucky at LSU, 8 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN

21:10-LSU track superstars make their mark

24:20-Breaking down LSU baseball's first weekend

26:00-Thatcher Hurd's early struggles; bullpen's early success

28:40-Is the starting rotation all but set already?

31:45-Taking it slowly with Gage Jump

34:00-Takeaways from LSU's eruption at the plate

LSU baseball writer Koki Riley and columnist Scott Rabalais join sports editor Perryn Keys to preview the 2024 baseball season, which gets underway Friday at Alex Box Stadium, as well as another perfect 10 for Haleigh Bryant, the amusing Livvy Dunne Mardi Gras float and the latest on the LSU women's basketball team.

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Koki comes on to discuss his feature story Tommy White, who took an odd path to become an LSU folk hero and projected first-round MLB draft pick. We also take a position-by-position look at the Tigers, who are loaded with experience behind the plate but are breaking in new starters in the infield and outfield.

Scott joins the discussion to break down Haleigh Bryant's 13th career perfect 10 and her first career 10 on beam last week at Georgia, cementing her status as one of LSU's greatest gymnasts. We also have a laugh at last week's Livvy Dunne Mardi Gras float in New Orleans — but we also take a moment to note how Dunne has played a key role on this year's team and has been an exceptional teammate through the years at LSU.

Finally, we take a quick look at the LSU women's basketball team, which is now a projected No. 3 seed for next month's NCAA tournament.

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0:00-Intro

4:15-LSU baseball season gets underway

7:20-Tommy Tanks: Tommy White's path to stardom

10:30-The LSU infield: Josh Pearson at second base

12:05-Michael Braswell at shortstop

13:50-Jared Jones takes over at first base

16:40-The outfield, starting with Mac Bingham at CF

17:30-Jake Brown in left, Paxton Kling in right

19:00-Scott Rabalais: The deepest LSU has been at C

21:25-Taking a look at other key reserves

26:30-America's sweetheart, Livvy Dunne, at Mardi Gras

29:30-Haleigh Bryant completes the gym slam

36:25-Taking stock of LSU women's basketball

39:58-Why the Tigers are a projected No. 3 seed

LSU beat writers Koki Riley and Reed Darcey join sports editor Perryn Keys to crank up baseball season and check in on the resurgent LSU women's basketball team.

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Koki comes on to take a wide-angle look at the Tigers as they begin their season ranked No. 4 in D1Baseball's preseason poll, aiming to repeat as national champions. The guys then take a deep look at the LSU pitching staff, which brings back some familiar names but is also bolstered by 10 —10! — left-handers.

Koki also takes a look at LSU's first weekend, which includes two games each against VMI and Central Arkansas.

Reed also breaks down the LSU women, who are on a three-game winning streak and have found a (partial) solution to their problem with a short bench. We break down the Tigers' third-quarter surge against Alabama, Angel Reese's continued dominance and Last-Tear Poa's emergence as a player who can give LSU some (much-needed) extended minutes.

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0:00-Intro

3:20-LSU baseball is ready to begin

5:40-The projected weekend rotation

12:55-A wealth of options from the left side

15:10-Other key relievers and spot starters

22:22-A look at LSU baseball opening weekend

25:30-What to watch for: Plate discipline

27:14-The LSU women turn it on vs. Alabama

29:00-Last-Tear Poa: her career-best game

32:35-Angel Reese playing like an All-American

35:18-Can the LSU women make it six straight?

LSU beat writer Wilson Alexander and columnist Scott Rabalais join sports editor Perryn Keys to wrap up LSU's 2024 signing class, take a long look at the Tigers' roster, a sneak peek at spring football and weigh in on Nick Saban's new job on ESPN's "College GameDay."

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The guys discuss five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley, who signed with LSU, as well as Terry Bussey, the five-star athlete who opted for Texas A&M instead. Nonetheless, the Tigers finished with the No. 7 overall class.

But they do have holes to fill. Wilson and Scott break down LSU's remaining needs at defensive tackle and what the Tigers can do about it.

The guys also discuss potential early impact players in the 2024 class and discuss what spring practice might look like with an entirely new defensive staff.

Finally, Wilson and Scott discuss Nick Saban's move to "College GameDay" and why they think he'll be exceptional on the set.

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0:00-Intro

3:08-Dominick McKinley finishes LSU's class

7:00-The importance of Louisiana connections

10:00-LSU misses out on Terry Bussey

13:30-In the end, it's a Top 10 class

15:15-2025 looks like a blockbuster class

17:25-Filling major needs at defensive tackle

24:40-Potential early impact freshmen

32:20-Rab asks: Does LSU need another RB?

33:30-Trey'Dez Green and the use of the TE

35:55-What we'll watch in spring practice

41:41-Nick Saban joins 'College GameDay'