Tasmin Mitchell wants people to know he's back.

"Let people know," the 6-foot-7 LSU junior forward said. "I feel great."

Remember, Mitchell missed nearly the entire season last year after surgery to insert a pair of screws into his ankle to correct a stress fracture.

"I'm 100 percent. It feels like a new ankle," Mitchell said. "I'm just working out and getting my wind back."

Mitchell said while it was difficult to sit and watch former coach John Brady fired in the middle of the season, he is ready for a fresh start with new coach Trent Johnson.

"Change is for the better," he said. "There's no sense crying about the past. I like Coach J (Johnson). He gets down to business and I can't wait to go to war together."

Mitchell received a medical redshirt and will have two years remaining with the Tigers. This is a guy who averaged 14.7 points and 6.0 rebounds as a sophomore and 11.4 points, 5.6 rebounds in 34.4 minutes in LSU's magical Final Four run what seems like an eternity ago.

LSU finished 13-18 last season and the Tigers lost talented forward Anthony Randolph to the NBA after just one season, but Johnson still has a solid nucleus with Mitchell, guard Marcus Thornton (19.6 ppg), long forward Chris Johnson (11.6 ppg), Terry Martin (8.3 ppg) and solid veteran guard Garrett Temple.

"We've got more than enough," Mitchell said.

N.C. STATE BEGINS PRE-LABOR DAY PRACTICE

N.C. State began practice yesterday in preparation for its Labor Day trip to Toronto.

Sidney Lowe doesn't have Farnold Degand and Johnny Thomas for the practices or for the trip as they are both recovering from injuries.

Also, Degand told me the other day that senior Courtney Feels could see time at the small forward spot - which could allow Degand to play with Javier Gonzalez in the backcourt.

RANDOM NOTES: Washington senior wing Joel Smith will transfer to D-2 Chaminade for his final year. ... St. Bonaventure freshman Marquise Simmons will redshirt this season due to a family emergency. ... Ole Miss guard Rodney Jones has transferred to Southeast Louisiana. ... Sporting News is reporting that USC point guard Angelo Johnson is expected to transfer to Southern Mississippi.