took a pass from William Nylander and fired a wrist shot over

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwells prime goal this season is qualifying for the NCAA Tournament -- and hes not giving up on it because most of the guys he played with last year are gone.I think that we still have the potential to make the tournament, Thornwell said.Thornwell and the Gamecocks thought they had done enough a year ago to get there with a 15-0 start, going 11-7 in Southeastern Conference games and finishing the regular-season 24-9.But on selection Sunday South Carolina was remembered more for the text it initially -- and mistakenly -- received from the NCAA saying it was in instead of breaking 12-year tournament drought.We were older last year. We had been together last year for three years, said Thornwell, South Carolinas top returning scorer at 13.4 points a game. I was kind of easier for us last year.That team featured all-SEC first-team selection Michael Carrera, plus front court seniors in Mindaugas Kacinas and Laimonas Chatkevicius, all three who were seniors. Thornwell was picked for the league all-defensive team and Duane Notice was picked as the SEC sixth man of the year.Now, Notice joins Thornwell as the leaders of a team with only two other players in P.J. Dozier and Chris Silva with significant experience.This year, us older guys have to work harder and the team is going to move a little different and play a little different with the younger guys and us older guys being all guards, Thornwell said. I think we still have the same type of potential, its just that the game will be played a little different.Different is good, fifth-year coach Frank Martin said. The returners are players whove learned Martins approach and can share it with newcomers.Theres a confidence level about the older guys that I like a lot, but theres also a realistic approach to what they do every day, Martin said. They stay humble and they stay committed to the work. They keep the young guys on edge.---Some other things to watch for at South Carolina this season:DOZIERS RISE: Martin said sophomore point guard PJ Dozier was worn down as a freshman (he started 28 games) and needed a break from basketball last spring. Dozier has come back stronger and better prepared and Martin said hes poised to take a big step forward with the Gamecocks. The McDonalds All-American averaged 6.7. points, 3 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season.FRONT COURT CONCERNS: With the loss of four front-court players 6-foot-7 or taller, South Carolina will be in need of some gang rebounding. Martin has liked the play of Chris Silva, a 6-9 forward who he said was rebounding in practice as well as anyone hes coached. Four of the five tallest Gamecocks are first-year playes.MARTINS STAY: South Carolina took away concerns of Martin looking elsewhere with a four-year contract extension that ties him to the school through 2021-22 season. Martin has gone from 28-38 his first two seasons to 42-25 the past two years.ROSTER PROBLEMS: Martin has not had the easiest time retaining players during his stay. Just before the Gamecocks NIT opener last March, five players were suspended and three were arrested. Four expected returnees (Marcus Stroman, Jamall Gregory, Eric Cobb and Raymond Doby) left the program leaving Martin relying on untested first-year players this season.NEW FLOOR: The Gamecocks will play on a new floor at Colonial Life Arena, one designed to be shock absorbent. The flooring features power shock pads that should give players more cushioning when playing or working out. The surface replaces the one that was put in nearly a decade ago.---Online:More AP College Basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.orgNBA Jerseys Wholesale . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Wholesale NBA Store . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. http://www.nbacheapjerseysstore.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Cheap Basketball Jerseys China .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Wholesale Jerseys Basketball . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.BOSTON -- The Toronto Maple Leafs found a way to overcome a poor opening period.Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman scored in the second period, Frederik Andersen made 32 saves and the Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Saturday night.The last three games the first period kind of did us in, Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. We didnt start on time. We were able to hold on. It still wasnt the first period we wanted, but we didnt give up the goals and we were able to execute a little bit.After managing only two shots on goal in the first, Toronto was happy to get to the dressing room with the game scoreless.I dont think we gave up too much even though we didnt produce anything, Andersen said. To come out 0-0 is pretty good. We came out better in the second and the third. It was a good turnaround.James van Riemsdyk scored in the third for Toronto, which was 0-2-1 in its last three games. Connor Brown added an empty-netter and Andersen improved to 6-0-0 in his career against Boston.Brad Marchand had the Bruins goal, and Tuukka Rask stopped 16 shots.Former Bruins defenseman Matt Hunwick had two assists.Boston lost to Colorado, then-the NHLs worst team, on Thursday night at TD Garden and followed that by losing to the team that entered as the Eastern Conferences last-place club.Boston fell behind 3-0 in its previous two games before the Maple Leafs went up 2-0 in the second.Its tough. We try to score that first goal and get the lead and the last couple of games weve been letting in like two or three goals and trying to catch up, Rask said. Today was one of those. Its not easy. It takes a lot out of you.Boston had earned points in 12 of the last 13 meetings against Toronto (9-1-3).Like a number of games this season, the Brruins have been frustrated by their inability score.ddddddddddddGoalies are too good in this league if you dont make it hard on them, Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said A lot of it is that.Toronto moved ahead on Matthews goal 1:44 into the second. The NHLs No. 1 overall draft pick last summer took a pass from William Nylander and fired a wrist shot over Rasks left shoulder.Hyman redirected defenseman Jake Gardners shot from the slot, and the puck dipped and fluttered by Rask to make it 2-0 with 4:46 remaining in the period.Marchand took advantage of a turnover behind Torontos net, slicing it to 2-1 with 1:21 left in the second. Andersen misplayed a clearing attempt, firing the puck off a player where it dropped next to the rear boards. He had a second chance to clear or cover it, but Marchand beat him to it, circled and put in his own rebound.The Bruins had the best chance in the first period when David Pastrnaks one-timer from the left point caromed off the left post early into the game.Tyler Bozaks shot was tipped in by van Riemsdyk midway into the third.Game notesThe Bruins recalled forwards Noel Acciari and Danton Heinen from Providence of the AHL before the game and assigned F Anton Blidh to the AHL. ... The first game between the two clubs was just over 92 years ago: Dec. 3, 1924, when the Toronto St. Pats beat the Bruins, 5-3. ... Toronto won the only other meeting so far this season, 4-1 at home on October 15.UP NEXTMaple Leafs: Host Colorado on Sunday in the opener of five straight at home -- four against teams from the Western Conference.Bruins: At Montreal on Monday night. ' ' '