Link Gumbo: 1-4-18

Last week when I did my first one of these things I said it should be a busy couple weeks at LSU. I had no idea. Yesterday it escalated even more with drama surrounding LSU’s defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda. We still are waiting for the Matt Canda news to be made official. There was also a report yesterday stating that Arizona and Les Miles have a mutual interest in each other. And, oh yeah, LSU Basketball almost beat a ranked team yesterday. Why don’t we take a look at a timeline of yesterday’s news?

11:38 CT - Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle reports that Texas A&M is not moving on from Aranda and they will come back with a better offer than the previous one.

11:53 CT - A report surfaces stating that Les Miles and Arizona have a mutual interest in each other. Just in case you didn't know, Arizona fired Rich Rodriguez Tuesday night.

12:14 CT - Dellenger reports that LSU officials are aware of the A&M and Aranda situation and hope for a meeting with their defensive coordinator.

12:21 CT - Cody Worsham of Tiger Rag reports that A&M is rolling out the red carpet for Aranda and would let him handpick his staff.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at what Ed Orgeron had to say about Aranda just two weeks ago.

2:06 CT - Zwernman tells Finebaum that Aranda is likely headed to A&M.

3:24 CT - Dellenger reports that LSU is using “every available resource” to keep Dave Aranda.

7:10 CT - LSU AD Joe Alleva is seen courtside at the basketball game. Is it possible he got a deal worked out with Aranda?

The next several hours were quiet regarding Aranda. Now we got a basketball game to get to.

7:11 CT - THE BAND PLAYS NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7:27 - Will Wade is ready for GQ with his amazing purple jacket.

Credit @_Andrew_Lopez for the picture

7:30 CT - UK @ LSU tips off.

8:06 CT - The Tigers go on a 6-0 run that gives LSU a 29-25 lead. Waters and Reath are balling out.

8:14 CT - LSU goes into the half leading 36-31.

8:40 CT - Kentucky takes the lead with 14:52 left to go in the second half. LSU is still only down by one.

9:01 CT - Ross Dellenger breaks the news that LSU will hold on to Dave Aranda. LSU fans everywhere were able to breathe. Gotta give credit to PodKATT, before the game he tweeted that someone is gonna leak this news to Dellenger during the LSU game.

Devin White, who is very close with Aranda, was very excited to have his DC back.

LSU DL Breiden Fehoko was also thrilled.

9:07 CT - A Reath 3-pointer puts the Tigers up 65-64.

9:09 CT - We learn Aranda’s salary. 2.5 million was expected, but still, woah.

9:10 CT - UK goes back up by one.

9:13 CT - Bruce Feldman tweets out a statement from Ed O regarding Aranda.

9:23 CT - LSU misses what would be a game-tying 3-pointer.

9:26 - LSU loses to Kentucky 74-71.

So busy day huh? I know Will Wade is not worried about moral victories, but I thought they played Kentucky well for a team that was picked to finish last in the SEC. And who doesn't love the gold jerseys? LSU might have lost but they sure looked good while doing it.

As for Dave Aranda, Coach O and the LSU faithful are glad to have him back. This personnel is made up of the type of players Aranda wants for his 3-4 and LSU will bring a lot of talent back on defense. I expect LSU to have a top 10 defense next year and you should too.

Sam Speigelman updated where LSU stands with their top remaining target, 5-star CB, Patrick Surtain Jr. Stop me if you have heard this before, but it is a race between Alabama and LSU right now.

Finally, #GYMSZN begins tomorrow against Arkansas. We still wait for news on Matt Canada. Maybe now that the Aranda situation is taken care of, LSU will make the Canada news official.