LSU has 12 new players on this year's team.

But it might be the return of forward Jalen Reed that is most important to the Tigers' fortunes as they open the season against Tarleton State on Wednesday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Reed was averaging 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds through eight games last December when the team captain sustained a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee.

"(Reed) has really been an inspiration through this process," LSU fourth-year head coach Matt McMahon said. "He is in a really good place mentally. Sometimes you see guys come back from an injury like that and there is a lot of hesitation. He's very confident."

The Tigers have surrounded redshirt junior Reed with a combination of transfers and freshman recruits in hopes of improving on last season when they f

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