Close decisions hold key to success for Southeast in conference

Winning its share of close Ohio Valley Conference games figures to be a big key to expected improvement for the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team this season.

Last year, Southeast suffered eight OVC losses by a total of 27 points, with seven of those contests decided by four points or less.

The result was a 4-12 conference record, which saddled Southeast in a tie for last among 11 squads. Not even a strong nonleague start could help Southeast's final overall mark of 11-16.

"We just lost so many close games last year, especially early in the conference season, and I think that really took a toll on our team," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "One of the contributing factors in losing the close games was a lack of experience.

"With six experienced players returning, we now have the experience, and we have added some talented new players to our roster. I really think we can be an improved team this year."

And if Southeast is to get back on track after three straight down years -- the squad has gone 28-57 during that span compared to 62-28 the prior three seasons -- Garner acknowledged that defensive improvement is another must.

Last year, Southeast was 10th in the OVC in field-goal percentage allowed (47.2), and ranked last in conference games (49.9). Southeast also was 10th (37.4) overall and last (38.9) in conference games as far as 3-point field-goal percentage allowed.

"I think we'll be able to score enough points, but we've got to get better on the defensive end of the floor," Garner said. "Can we be better defensively than last year? No question. How good we can be, I don't know, but we've got to get a lot better."

Topping the list of experienced players is 6-foot-2 senior guard Derek Winans, the squad's leading scorer the last three seasons who is seventh on the school's career scoring list with 1,253 points.

Winans, who averaged 14.5 points per contest a year ago, was scheduled to miss the first few games of the season because of a stress fracture in his leg that has kept him from practicing so far.

"We'll miss Derek, but hopefully he'll come back healthy," Garner said. "The main thing is for him to get well so this thing doesn't linger the whole season."

The five other returning players all saw at least some starting action last season, led by 6-6 senior forward Dainmon Gonner, who averaged 12.3 points per game to tie for second on the team with departed center Brandon Griffin.

Reggie Golson, a 6-7 senior forward, averaged 7.1 points overall, but 17 points over the last five games of the season after entering the starting lineup.

Also returning are 6-3 senior guard Brett Hale (7.1 ppg), 6-0 senior guard Mike Nelke (6.2 ppg) and 6-4 sophomore guard Terrick Willoughby (3.3 ppg). Garner planned to start Willoughby at the point after he played the other guard spot most of last season.

Trying to fill the shoes of Griffin -- Southeast's leading rebounder last year who completed his eligibility -- will be two junior college transfers, 6-7 Ketshner Guerrier and 6-8, 240-pound Waylon Francis. Garner figures they'll share the center position most of the season.

"We'll miss Brandon, but I think we'll be all right there," Garner said.

Four more newcomers complete the roster: 6-2 junior guard Ryan Belcher, 6-7 junior forward James White, 6-8 sophomore forward Cody Lewis and 6-0 freshman guard Paul Paradoski.

Belcher, who can play both guard positions, is noted for his defense, and Garner thinks he'll help Southeast improve in that area. The other three players will be counted on to add depth.

"With the returning players and newcomers, I'm optimistic about the season," Garner said.

So is Golson, who believes Southeast's experience will help lead to a turnaround even though the squad has been picked to again finish toward the bottom of the OVC.

"We're going to surprise a lot of people," Golson said. "A lot of people have counted us out, but we lost so many close games last year and we've got five seniors. That's going to make a big difference."

Southeast opened the season Friday against Bradley and hosts Rockhurst tonight.