Louisiana

Louisiana continues to underwhelm when March Madness comes around

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

Press Room

Louisiana continues to underwhelm when March Madness comes around

Shahada Wells and McNeese carry Cinderella vibes in the NCAA Tournament (Photo: Michael Wade).

I watched the NCAA men’s basketball selections Sunday night, but not with the intensity of many years past.

Grambling made the field of 68 for the first time ever. McNeese won the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championship. The Cowboys are in the big dance for the first time since 2002.

Both had automatic bids.

For the rest of the state of Louisiana, it is time to move on from hoops quickly.

LSU hasn’t played in the tournament since 2022. Louisiana-Lafayette last appeared in 2023.

The University of New Orleans last appeared in 2017. Southern University, who made the NCAA’s four times under head coach Ben Jobe, haven’t appeared since 2016. Southeastern made the tournament in 2005 for the only time under head coach Billy Kennedy. It seems like yesterday, but 20 seasons have passed.

Northwestern State last appeared in 2013. The Demons’ upset of third seed Iowa was a classic NCAA moment but that was 18 years ago.

Louisiana Tech appeared five times in the NCAA’s from 1984 to 1991 but none since. Nicholls hasn’t appeared since 1998 under head coach Ricky Broussard. Louisiana-Monroe hasn’t made it since 1996.

Tulane’s last of three NCAA tournament appearances was in 1995.

A good bit of the lack of success for Louisiana teams comes from a decline in high school basketball in the state. It wasn’t always that way.

The top six scorers on LSU’s 2006 Final Four team hailed from Louisiana. Four of those – Darnell Lazare, Darrel Mitchell, Garrett Temple and Tyrus Thomas – hailed from Baton Rouge area high schools. Tasmin Mitchell played at nearby Denham Springs and Darrel Mitchell played at St. Martinville, about an hour’s drive from the LSU campus.

In the 1980’s head coach Dale Brown built one of the best programs in the nation recruiting Louisiana players. Howard “Hi C” Carter and Derrick Taylor hailed from Redemptorist. In DeRidder, Louisiana, Johnny Jones was legend. So was Nikita Wilson at Leesville. Ethan Martin played his high school basketball at McKinley. Leonard Mitchell hailed from St. Martinville.

The 1986 LSU Final Four team included Anthony Wilson (Plain Dealing) and Don Redden (Ouachita).

Those days are long gone.

One of the items that has hurt Louisiana basketball is out migration. The population of Louisianians heading to live in Texas only exacerbated after Hurricane Katrina.

So, at about 6 p.m. Sunday, I turned off the tube and started to write. Of course, my alarm was set to the women’s NCAA selection show an hour later. LSU is the third seed in the same region with Iowa.

Now that’s exciting.

A possible rematch of the NCAA championship game, in a regional final.

Louisiana is vested in the women’s game.

Other than in Grambling and Lake Charles, Louisiana’s lack of participation in the men’s Big Dance continues. Sadly.

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Louisiana

At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Yasin Gungor

19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026

At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.

Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.

The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.

The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.

Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”

No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.

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Louisiana

‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers .8 billion

As Louisiana becomes a destination for multibillion-dollar technological investments in the rapidly-expanding data center sector, leaders, including President Trump and Governor Landry, have developed strategies to support that growth without

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Louisiana

Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so

When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.

If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.

In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.

The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche

These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.

1. Oak Hills Place

Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.

2. Westminster

Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.

3. River Ridge

River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.

4. Westlake

Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.

5. Prien

Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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