Despite the loss of Anthony Randolph, the 14th pick overall in the NBA draft, LSU has enough talent returning to be a contender in want looks to be a weakened SEC Western Division.

The Tigers return five players who had at least 14 starts last season, and that doesn't figure in junior Tasmin Mitchell, an all-star candidate at forward who played only three games before going down with a stress fracture in his leg. Mitchell has averaged in double figures throughout his career and is only 101 points short of 1,000 for his career.

It should make for a rosy debut for Trent Johnson, who came from Stanford as a bit of a surprise choice for the job over interim coach Butch Pierre. Pierre's brief tenure accounted for five of LSU's six SEC victories after he took over for John Brady.

Last season's top scorer, guard Marcus Thornton, and team leader and defensive specialist Garrett Temple return in the backcourt along with Terry Martin, who had 16 starts. Joining Mitchell up front will be Chris Johnson, who had injury problems himself before putting together a strong finish.

Johnson and Mitchell give the Tigers a big upside on the boards. Senior Quinton Thornton, who played only 17 games after tearing a pectoral muscle in the preseason, gives the Tigers another banger up front.

The Tigers lost one recruit in the coaching change when 6-10 J'Mison "Bobo" Morgan was given his release in May but have another top prospect coming in. Storm Warren, a 6-7 forward out of Monroe, La., could push the veterans for playing time.

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