Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least si

Western Kentucky knows it will be tough trying to follow up a 12-win season that clinched Conference USA, a second straight bowl victory and No. 24 final ranking.Especially since the Hilltoppers must replace key personnel such as career passing leader Brandon Doughty and tight end Tyler Higbee, both of whom are now in NFL training camps. But WKU has plenty of talent left for coach Jeff Brohm on both sides of the ball to expect continued success.Our team understands that this is a new team, said Brohm, who agreed to a four-year contraction extension in February. We lost some key players and some people out there might think that (because of) the fact that we lost them, were not going to be as near as good. Its up to guys to prove that they were a big part of that success. ... I like the nucleus of this team.WKU returns seven offensive starters from a high-octane squad that averaged 50 points per game while going unbeaten in league play. Five are on an offensive line that helped running back Anthony Wales rush for 1,091 yards over the final nine contests, and they should provide ample protection for Doughtys successor in the pocket.Senior receiver Taywan Taylor -- who set single-season school records with 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns on 86 catches -- and fellow wideout Nicholas Norris (63 receptions, 971 yards) are also back along with tailback DAndre Ferby, who rushed for 650 yards and 11 TDs.The Hilltoppers may look different offensively this season, but tackle Forrest Lamp likes their continued capability to pile up yards and points.Its fun and we get to do a bunch of different things, Lamp said. We pass it, run it and have trick plays. Theres nothing more fun than blocking for a couple of seconds and seeing (wide receiver) Taywan (Taylor) run down the field and catch the ball wide open off a flea-flicker.Though WKU returns just four defensive starters, it has plenty of depth with nearly two dozen players who participated in at least three games last season. The `Toppers also added Louisville graduate transfers Keith Brown and Nick Dawson-Brents, beefing up a unit that might have to carry the load while the offense retools.The ability to prove consistency and the fact that we can do it for more than one year is going to be important, Brohm said. But the bullseye will be on our chest and we understand that we have a challenging schedule.QB BATTLESeveral players are competing to fill the big void left by Doughtys departure and Brohm will take as much time needed to examine a group including junior transfer Mike White -- a former starter at South Florida -- graduate transfer Tyler Ferguson, sophomore Drew Eckels and freshman Steven Duncan. Senior Nelson Fishback is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.ALLENS RECOVERYThe NCAA granted running back Leon Allen a medical hardship waiver for another season of eligibility, but theres no timetable for the seniors return from a serious knee injury sustained in last years second game. He rushed for 1,542 yards and 13 TDs in 2014.KEY GAMESWKU faces two SEC teams in three weeks when it travels to defending national champion Alabama on Sept. 10 and hosts Vanderbilt on Sept. 24. The `Toppers also travel to face East division favorite Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15) and perennial contender Marshall (Nov. 26).PREDICTIONSeven wins and another bowl appearance are within reach for Hilltoppers.SEASON OPENERThe Hilltoppers host Rice on Sept. 1.Ecco Shoes NZ . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. Authentic Ecco Shoes NZ Outlet . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.clearanceecconz.com/ . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Discount Ecco Shoes NZ . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Cheap Shoes NZ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand.CANCUN, Mexico -- DMarcus Simonds scored 26 points and Georgia State came back from an early 10-point deficit to beat NJIT 74-53 in the opening game of the Cancun Challenge on Tuesday.It was the freshmans best scoring performance, shooting 11 of 15. Isaiah Dennis added 10 points for the Panthers (2-2), who shot 57.1 percent, making 32 of 56, though they sank just 2 of 13 3-pointers and 8 of 16 free throws.The Highlanders (2-3) made 10 3-pointers but shot just 34 percent overall,, committed 21 turnovers and were outrebounded by 10.dddddddddddd Damon Lynn led NJIT with 15 points and Osa Izevbuwa 13.The Highlanders led 16-6 with 12:59 left in the first half but the Panthers finished the final four minutes on a 14-0 run to lead 39-27 at halftime.NJIT cut the lead to eight early in the second half before the Panthers pulled away. ' ' '