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It is time to give Tyson Chandler his due. Since Chandler returned, the Hornets have won all four games. Chandler's rebound total in those games are 10, 17, 9, and 12. The Hornets, currently ranked 27th in team rebounding in the NBA, outrebounded the opposition in all 4 Hornets victories.

Chandler has averaged 12 rebounds a game since his return Monday night February 23rd at Sacramento.

He has also been a defensive presence inside. That $11.85 million that Chandler is due to earn next season suddenly doesn't seem to be so onerous.

Maybe the Hornets should find another way to "balance their books" and not trade Chandler this off season to get under the NBA's luxury tax.

Ed Daniels

I attended the redistrict meetings Tuesday morning at the Radisson Hotel in Kenner.

Some random thoughts:

1) Expect Destrehan, Hahnville, East St John, Dutchdown, East Ascension, and St Amant to stay in the same league. The bayou schools do not want Hahnville and Destrehan. East St John's Larry Dauterive said he was willing to move "north" with the three Ascension Parish schools, and Assumption. But, Assumption's Don Torres said he has no interest in such a move. Torres said Assumption lost $25,000 in gate the two years they were out of the Bayou league. Expect the Bayou League and the Interstate 10 league (Hahnville, Destrehan, East St John, and the Ascension Parish schools) to stay the same.

2) St Charles and Riverside both requested a move to the northshore 2A. Both head football coaches, Frank Monica at St Charles, and Tim Taffi at Riverside, said travel was a concern and that both schools would save time by not going into the city. The two schools said getting out of a league with Curtis was not their main reason for the request to go north.

3) I keep looking at these districts. Tell me how Belle Chasse is in the same 4A league with Morgan City? You could fly to New York City in the time it would take to make this trek either way on a Friday afternoon.

Ed Daniels

The boys state quarterfinals has delivered us a delicious pairing in Class 4A.

For the second straight year, in the quarters Salmen will host the Peabody Warhorses. Last year, Salmen beat Peabody 50-49. Salmen's win ended Peabody's hopes for a second consecutive state title. And, in the process, ended Peabody's 38 game win streak.

It was quite an upset. On the bus trip home after Tuesday night's win in Abbeville, the Spartans were already talking about the rematch.

Like we said, can't wait.

Ed Daniels

The Tulane Green Wave hosted the Conference USA women's tournament in 1999, and then won it.

There's at least the chance it could happen again 10 years later.

Tulane isn't as talented as it was then. But, neither is the league the Wave plays in .

According to realtimerpi.com , Southern Methodist is the top club in the league with a ranking of 84. Houston is next with an RPI of 95. Both of those clubs are NOT in Tulane's half of the draw.

Southern Miss is: and the Golden Eagles are 146 in the RPI. Tulane is 121. If Tulane beats Tulsa Thursday, the Wave would play the Golden Eagles.

All 17-13 Tulane has to do is elevate its game a bit, and the Wave could find itself in Sunday's championship game.

But, you can say that about a lot of teams playing this weekend at Fogelman Arena.

Ed Daniels

The signing of free agent fullback Heath Evans is a good one. Evans is a good blocker, decent short yardage runner, and a solid receiver.

He will definitely help the Saints in short yardage situations, a place the club failed badly last year.

Mike Karney will catch on quickly with another team. He is a bruising blocker, and a great lockerroom guy.

But the move for Heath Evans makes sense. Evans also has one other key intangible: playoff experience. He has played in 9 post season games.

Ed Daniels

New Orleans Dominos coach Charlie Domino is at the Top 28 in Monroe. His organization has won 14 girls national championships. Here's Domino's picks on the championship games involving local teams.

2A championship Friday 6 pm - South Beauregard vs John Curtis - Domino likes South Beauregard as his upset special. Says Domino, "Curtis is so talented, anyone on their team can score. But, South Beauregard can win because they are very disciplined."

1A championship Saturday 5 pm - Block vs Country Day - Domino picks Country Day. He says "Country Day has good size and good guards. They are well coached, too." He says the only wildcard in this game is Country Day playing for a state girls title, something they are not accustomed to in girls hoops.

5A championship Saturday 6:30 pm - Lafayette vs Chapelle- Domino picks Chapelle. He says Chapelle is very "disciplined", but the Chipmunks could have a rebounding problem against a much taller Lafayette squad. Chapelle's Olivia Grayson, a Tulane signee, scored 28 points in a semifinal win over Walker.

4A championship Saturday 8 pm - Vandebilt Catholic vs St Michael's - Domino picks St Michael's. He says they are "solid at every position."

Watch Friday Night Fast Break 11:05 pm March 6th and 13th , ABC 26.

Thanks, Ed

One year ago this week, coaches of bigtime college programs started to realize this about Country Day's Eddie Ludwig: he will be an excellent player on the big time level.

Ludwig, an LSU signee, is again making noise in the Boys Top 28. In his team's semifinal win over Christian Life, Ludwig scored 21 points, played solid defense, and performed effectively despite drawing his second foul late in the first quarter.

The 6-8 Ludwig made 1 of 2 three pointers, and was 8-8 from the free throw line. He also showed off a great pair of hands, grabbing a bounce pass below his knees, and banking the ball in off the glass.

Ludwig and one of tonight's opponents will likely be teammates at LSU. A source said Christian Life's outstanding guard, Langston Galloway, attends many LSU games at the P-Mac. LSU is apparently on or near the top of his list.

Galloway is an outstanding player, and he is only a junior.

Ed Daniels

LSU heads to the NCAA tournament Thursday losers of three of the its last four games. Why?

All you have to do is check the box score for forward Tasmin Mitchell. In the last four games, Mitchell 17 baskets in 52 field goal attempts.

Against Vanderbilt at home, Mitchell was 3-9. At Auburn three days later, Mitchell was 1 for 10. Against Kentucky, LSU won despite Mitchell making only 6 of 15 shots. Against Mississippi State in the SEC semis, Mitchell was 7 for 18.

Mitchell shot 52 percent from the field for the season. But, in the last four games he is shooting 32 percent. And LSU has suffered the consequences.

This week in Greensboro, one of LSU's best players must step up.

Ed Daniels

In 2004, the Saints raised a few eyebrows when they traded a second round pick to Green Bay for cornerback Mike McKenzie.

The trade was a winner. McKenzie gave the club 5 very productive years. In 2007, he had 3 interceptions, 2 returned for scores. That season McKenzie also had 17 passes defensed.

McKenzie was then, unlucky: two major knee injuries in the space of a year, and his salary made McKenzie expendable.

Too bad the Saints can no longer find a spot for this 10 year veteran. In one of the least productive secondaries in the NFL, McKenzie stood out. He was dependable and productive.

Ed Daniels

It was a perfect storm for LSU basketball this season, something that is not likely to be repeated in 2009-2010. The Tigers had a ton of holdovers from last year's team, and got forward Tasmin Mitchell back from injury.

A good nucleus and the disciplined coaching of Johnson made for a good gumbo.

Guard Marcus Thornton is a senior. He averaged 21.1 points a game, the highest per game average in a season for LSU basketball in 13 years.

Guard Garrett Temple, the glue of the program, and its best defender, is a senior. Post players Chris Johnson and Quintin Thornton are seniors, too.

The key for next season is junior forward Tasmin Mitchell. If he returns, Mitchell gives LSU the go to scorer they desperately need. If not, the Tigers may have to depend on true freshman Aaron Dotson of Seattle for much of its scoring.

Guard Beau Spencer all returns.

Also on board next year: Country Day's Eddie Ludwig. Ludwig stands just under 6-8 and has the skills to play on the perimeter.

Next year, LSU is a reload mode. If the Tigers have a winning record in the SEC , and earn an NCAA tournament berth, the season will be a success.

Ed Daniels

It is time for Tulane head coach Bob Toledo to turn the fortunes of the Green Wave program in a winning direction.

Toledo has by all accounts, recruited two solid classes. Toledo has changed defensive coordinators, and thrown his quarterback battle wide open. Tulane has won 6 games in two years. Time for the Wave to make a leap forward.

Spring practice begins Tuesday March 31st. Here's a pre spring snapshot.

Toledo thinks his defensive will improve under new defensive coordinator Steve Stanard. Stanard has 14 years of experience as a coordinator on the college level. Toledo said he was not happy with big plays given up last season that cost his team at least two games. Said Toledo, "we had a couple of games won at the end and we are trying to blitz six and play zero coverage without a free safety in the middle, and we gave up too many plays." Toledo said Tulane will bliltz , but play more zone behind it.

Toledo will throw his quarterback job open to competition. Kevin Moore, who started all 12 games last season, will battle backup Joe Kemp and redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin and DJ Ponder for the job. Toledo said he plans to name a starter by the end of spring.

Toledo said he lost 17 players to season ending injuries. Wide receiver Jeremy Williams (5 td receptions in 5 games) and running back Andre Anderson (864 yards rushing), both lost to season ending injuries, will practice in the spring, but not be exposed to contact.

Said Bob Toledo of '08, "I was embarrassed by it. It won't happen again."

Byron Scott admitted the obvious after Wednesday night's 101-88 loss to Denver. The Hornets are missing Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic.

Peja missed his 10th straight game due to back spasms. When he's in the game the floor loosens up for Chris Paul's signature drives to the basket. The Nuggets at times doubled team Paul. Peja lurking in the corner would likely make them pay.

Without Tyson and Peja, the Hornets simply cannot win without outstanding games from Paul and David West. The pair were a combined 11 for 30 from the field.

Denver drove to the basket at will, and then kicked out for wide open threes. It was too easy.

The Hornets at 44-26, have never been able to find a rythym this season. That lack of "sync" will likely continue as the Hornets miss their big man and their designated three point sharp shooter.

Ed Daniels
New Orleans Arena
Wednesday 3 25 09

It is time to get real about the Hornets post season chances.

They aren't very good.

Let's see , Peja has missed 11 consecutive games with "back spasms". Center Tyson Chandler's tender left ankle has forced him to the sidelines for 7 to 14 days. Give the Hornets this: at least they now admit Chandler is not day to day.

The Hornets are somehow 44 wins, 26 losses.

But, how long can Chris Paul and David West play 40 plus minutes a game and still be effective? Against Denver, the Hornets scored 43 points in the second half. They didn't look like an energized basketball team.

If Paul and West aren't shooting well (11 for 30 against Denver) who will pick up the scoring slack?

With Tyson out, who can be a shot blocking presence and consistent rebounder in the post?

When (and if) Peja returns, will his legs be strong enough to make his shot consistent?

Lots of questions. And, teams with this many questions, often exit early in the NBA playoffs.

Ed Daniels

The Saints move from Jackson back to Metairie was long overdue.

In the three years the Saints trained in Jackson, head coach Sean Payton was flat out lucky. Only a handful of times did rain and/or lightning affect the Saints practice schedule. The Saints weren't ever in a position where they had bad weather in Jackson for a protracted period of time.

But, there's a bigger issue. The Saints facility is first rate and it is paid for by the taxpayers of Louisiana. The Saints should never, ever hold training camp outside of the state.

If the Saints ever feel the need to get away, they should stay in Louisiana.

Our Mississippi neighbors were great hosts. Millsaps was a nice setup. But, they didn't pay the freight, Louisianians did.

Ed Daniels