Hold that Tiger: LSU ranks No. 13 in ESPN.com’s ranking of the best FBS programs since 1936. The Tigers are third among SEC schools—behind No. 6 Alabama and No. 12 Tennessee and ahead of No. 14 Georgia and No. 15 Florida. In compiling its rankings, ESPN.com assigned point values for certain successes (25 points for a national championship) and failures (minus-two points for a postseason ban). LSU ranked 16th from 1936-58, 9th from 1959-68, 10th from 1969-78, 12th from 1979-88, 15th from 1989-98 and 7th from 1999-2008. To check out the rankings, click here.
Caught on tape: South Carolina rallied from a five-point deficit in the final 35 seconds for a 70-69 victory Wednesday night over Florida. South Carolina’s Zam Fredrick took an on-target pass in stride from Mike Holmes and scored the winning basket just before the buzzer sounded. It was pandemonium at the Colonial Life Arena after Fredrick’s shot went through. His momentum took him into the seats where several Gamecocks football players watched. Fredrick’s teammates soon joined the celebratory scrum. To watch the final moments of the game, click here.
Play ball! The finishing touches are being made to the new Alex Box Stadium, and LSU officials told The Times-Picayune they’re on track for its scheduled opening—if not even ahead. The Tigers will throw out the first pitch at the new ballpark at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 against Villanova. LSU is ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll. “How often do you get to move into a brand new stadium and ranked No. 1 in the polls?” asked baseball coach Paul Mainieri. Read the story here.
