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BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU coach Johnny Jones might need the Tigers to considerably exceed expectations if he wants to keep his so-called dream job much longer.Jones doesnt deny that failing to make the NCAA Tournament last season was a disappointment in light of the fact that the Tigers roster featured the NBAs top 2016 draft choice , Ben Simmons.But Jones also stresses injuries to key contributors, including guard Keith Hornsby, which in the short-term undermined LSUs ability to win, allowed a number of young players gain experience in high-pressure situations. Jones hope is that with maturity and the chance to assert themselves more following Simmons departure, LSUs top returning players might develop into a cohesive, balanced and highly competitive force in the Southeastern Conference.When you talk about last years team, you talk about guys who played in (Simmons) shadow, Jones said. I thought it was healthy for them to play in the environment that they did last year because of -- No. 1 -- what we got from other teams; Every team that we played last year, we took their best shot.We did that with a lot of guys who didnt have a great deal of experience, Jones added. So from that and the pressure and everything they played under last year, they should have an opportunity to improve and play extremely well this year.Simmons averaged 19.2 points and 11.2 rebounds last season, but LSU lacked the depth of talent to consistently make opponents pay for running multiple defenders at Simmons in an effort to contain him.This season, Jones promises, Well be different. Well look for different scoring opportunities.It remains to be seen how good those opportunities will be. With Simmons gone, LSU was picked to finish 12th in the 14-team SEC when the conference released its preseason coaches poll.Jones expects perimeter scoring from Antonio Blakeney, as well as sophomores Brandon Sampson and Jalyn Patterson. Inside theyll rely again on junior Craig Victor, as well as 6-foot-10 junior college transfer Duop Reath, who grew up in Australia after his family fled war in Sudan.We know that we have some areas that were certainly going to have to grow, Jones said. Were going to do that by committee.Some other things to know about LSU:GETTING DEFENSIVE: While Jones doesnt plan on abandoning the up-tempo style he prefers, he said LSUs defense was deficient last season and he has emphasized a need to improve on that end.We feel that chemistry will play a big part of that, Jones said. You cant be selfish now on the defensive end of the floor. You have to play as a team, and thats a commitment that we have to make as a group.HELP INSIDE: Reath is no Ben Simmons, but hes the same height and LSU coaches suggest he has the potential to influence outcomes on both ends of the court with his raw athleticism. He transferred from Lee College (Texas), where he averaged 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.Hes done a great job of filling in and filling something that we feel like we missed from last year -- a rim protector, Jones said, adding that Reaths ability to run and shoot gives him an opportunity to stretch opposing defenses.BLAKENEYS SLATE: During his final 11 games last season, Blakeney averaged about 18 points -- all against SEC competition. If he can sustain that this season, hell be in the mix for an All-SEC selection. An All-SEC freshman last year, Blakeney is also expected to emerge as a locker room leader.SAMPSONS CHALLENGE: Coaches have praised Sampson for working hard this summer and looking like a player who can contribute consistently after failing to live up to his recruiting hype as a freshman. LSU wants Sampson, one of its best ball-handlers, to be the type of dynamic scorer who is as likely to pull up from outside as drive to the hoop.NEWCOMERS: LSU is hoping two freshmen from Baton Rouge -- guards Skylar Mays and Wayde Sims -- will contribute this season. More help could come if Branden Jenkins, a transfer who averaged 15.6 points and made 50 steals in junior college last year, recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery in time for the second half of the season.---Online: www.collegebasketball.ap.org Basketball Shoes For Sale Canada . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Discount Basketball Shoes Canada . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. http://www.cheapbasketballshoescanada.com/ . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Cheap Basketball Shoes Online Store Canada . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Cheap Basketball Shoes Canada . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets have promoted cornerback Dexter McDougle from the practice squad and waived/injured tight end Kellen Davis.The team also announced Saturday that it has signed linebacker Victor Ochi to the practice squad.McDougle will help replace cornerback Marcus Williams, whos expected to miss a few weeks with a sprained ankle.McDougle was a third-round draft pick out of Maryland in 2014 but missed his rookie season with a torn knee ligament. He played in 14 games last season, was waived after traaining camp this summer and signed to the practice squad.ddddddddddddDavis injured an elbow at Cleveland on Oct. 30 and hadnt played since. He was used primarily as a blocking tight end and didnt have a catch this season.Ochi, a rookie from Stony Brook, played in two games with New York before being waived Nov. 5.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '