| Just in case you were needing a break from the ongoing slog of LSU's football season or the concurrent coaching search, the NCAA is back in town putting a magnifying glass to men's basketball coach Will Wade. Wade interviewed for two days last week with the Complex Case Unit, the latest step in an NCAA investigation into the program that has dragged on more than two years. Are we closer to closure on the case? Who knows? Meanwhile, there is more traditional basketball news in the form of a men's notebook and an advance on the LSU women's second exhibition game Thursday against Loyola. There is still plenty of football to talk about as the Tigers head toward Saturday's game at CFP No. 2 Alabama (6 p.m., ESPN). Check out my column on Mel Tucker and the similarities the Michigan State coach shares with two of the most revered coaches in LSU history. There's also Leah Vann's feature on the return of running back Tre Bradford, another profile of wide receiver Malik Nabers, and practice reports concerning Maason Smith, Cordale Flott and running backs coach Kevin Faulk. Oh, and one more thing: linebacker Damone Clark, arguably LSU's best remaining healthy player, is now a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. To our subscribers: Thank you for supporting our sportswriters' work. We'll be here for all the latest on the rest of the 2021 football season, the coaching search and everything that comes afterward, including recruiting — not to mention men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, track and gymnastics as well. If you're not a subscriber: Please consider joining us. Click here and take a look at several options, including our digital package. Until we meet again, Scott Rabalais | 