BURNABY, British Columbia -- DeMarre Carroll is ready to start over.A prized free-agent acquisition for the Toronto Raptors last year, Carroll played only 26 regular-season games because of a right knee injury that had to be surgically repaired in January.The small forward worked hard to rejoin the club in time for Torontos run to the NBAs Eastern Conference finals, but wasnt the same player the Raptors signed to be difference-maker from the Atlanta Hawks.And while not yet 100 percent after a month of rest followed by a strenuous summer of rehabilitation, Carroll is looking forward to hitting the reset button.I look at it as basically my first season (with Toronto), the 30-year-old Carroll said as the Raptors opened training camp this week. A new season, a new beginning. Ive just got to come in and get back to playing DeMarre Carroll basketball when Im healthy.Apart from locking up DeMar DeRozan to a long-term contract extension and bringing in Jared Sullinger, the Raptors had a relatively quiet break.However, finally having a healthy Carroll would be a major bonus for a club looking to take the next step.A big difference, DeRozan said. It was tough for us last year to figure out ways to play without him. Even when he was playing early on he was hurt (and) even when came back he wasnt his full self and we still managed to make history.To have him back at the start of camp, start of preseason, to be able to implement him fully is going to give us everything that weve been searching for.The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Carroll only returned to the court for live action last week, and said his offseason regimen included making sure all the proper steps were taken to ensure his knee is ready for the season.We took a hard approach about it and we did it the right way, said Carroll, who took a month off after the playoffs in hopes of reducing the swelling. Last season it was more of a rush, trying to get me back. We didnt go through the whole thing we needed to go through to get the knee to where it needs to be. I feel that were on the right track.Carroll, who averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, came through the first two days of camp unscathed for the Raptors, who open their exhibition schedule on Saturday at Vancouvers Rogers Arena against the Golden State Warriors.(The team) has talked about bringing me along slowly, not trying to kill myself in pre-season, Carroll said. Just be ready and healthy for the first game of the season.Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Carrolls presence on the floor, including his ability to hit from three, helps create openings on a team that is thin at small forward.Really gives us the spacing that we need with Kyle (Lowry) and DeMar handling the ball, attacking of the dribble, Casey said. Thats what we need from him, his spacing and his defensive presence. He did a great job accepting that role last year. He takes us from a good team to a pretty good team when he does that.For his part, Carroll said the mental side of the injury was tough, but something he forced himself to push through.Youve got to stay strong, especially in this league. Nobodys going to feel sorry for you, he said. It can be draining to keep on going through the same thing, having the same setbacks. But Im happy right now because I havent had any setbacks. Ive just got to look at the positives and keep trying to work towards the future.Joel Matip Liverpool Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Jersey . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. http://www.footballliverpoolstore.com/Women-Joe-Gomez-Liverpool-Jersey/ . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Joe Gomez Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Nathaniel Phillips Liverpool Jersey . 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.By Doug Bean, The Sports XchangeCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 2 Ohio State barely made it through its first big challenge of the season on Saturday night, escaping Wisconsin with a 30-23 overtime victory after a clutch second-half rally.Now its on to Penn State for another prime-time matchup this Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC) against a Big Ten opponent.Coach Urban Meyer summed up the attitude of the Buckeyes after the hard-fought win at Wisconsin when he said, That was a ballgame.Indeed it was. Ohio State fell behind 16-6 at halftime but outscored Wisconsin 23-7 in the second half and overtime to remain unbeaten and atop the Big Ten East Division standings with Michigan.We did get outplayed, Meyer said. I wouldnt say we got out-toughed. They didnt out-effort us. They had some very good stuff. Very good team, very good coaches, and you keep swinging.As anguished as that was, as much of a root canal as that was, Id much rather have it that way for that kind of game, for the development of your team.This week, Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) will be trying to extend its road winning streak to 21 games, the longest in the country, when it visits Happy Valley. Penn State (4-2, 2-1) is not quite up to its usual standards of the Joe Paterno era but always seems to give Ohio State a game in State College.Two years ago, quarterback J.T. Barrett and defensive lineman Joey Bosa helped the Buckeyes get out of town with a double-overtime road victory before a raucous white-out crowd. Barrett turned in a gutty performance after suffering a sprained MCL, leading the Buckeyes to the comeback win.Meyer thought that game was lost.I just remember thinking what am I going to say to this team afterwards? It crossed my mind, Meyer recalled. And he kind of just took it on his shoulders. I get to see things that all fans do not get to see. I get to see him about six inches from my face and see the intensity and the focus and the human spirit that is as good as Ive ever been around.Barrett did the same Saturday night against Wisconsin, where he led a second-half comeback against the formidable Badgers.The redshirt junior ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 21 ccarries and completed 17 of 29 passes for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception.dddddddddddd Barretts 7-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Noah Brown in the overtime was the difference.In the win, Barrett set a school record for touchdowns responsible for with 89, breaking the mark set by former quarterback and wide receiver Braxton Miller from 2011 to 2015.Ive been lucky, you know. You look at some of the quarterbacks that Ive been blessed to coach and Ive been around and I know in that situation thats who I want behind center, Meyer said of Barrett. He didnt play his best game, when he does its incredible. The absolute test of a leader is to raise the level of play of those around you and hes surrounded by a bunch of guys who are newbies this year.Its a quarterbacks responsibility to pick up his level of play, same with a bunch of new receivers so thats what makes J.T. so special.Ohio States defense gave up 236 yards on the ground and 45 total yards against Wisconsin. But like the offense, the Buckeyes made adjustments at halftime and limited the Badgers to one touchdown in the second half.This week, Ohio State will see one of the Big Tens best running backs. Sequon Barkley has rushed for 582 yards and eight touchdowns on 117 carries. Barkley ran for 202 yards against Maryland a week ago.Thats number one on the hit parade as far as Penn State, to stop them, Meyer said of Barkley. You wont stop him, but minimize the impact the running back has on us.Penn State is hoping that a bye week and a White-Out game with 107,000 fans in Beaver Stadium will inspire an upset. The Nittany Lions, though, are just 1-4 in White-Outs since 2011, including two losses to the Buckeyes.Were going to need the fans, Penn State coach James Franklin said. Were going to need the alumni. Were going to need everybody. This is a tremendous challenge we have that were facing all together, and were going to need the stadium to be the most difficult environment in the history of college football come Saturday night. ' ' '