SEMO basketball

After last year's dismal season, the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team is looking much improved this year.

Coming into last night's game against Austin Peay at the Show Me Center the Redhawks had a record of 10-9 overall and 5-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

In the coming days the team will be tested as it goes on the road to play Eastern Illinois and Murray State. Murray State was recently ranked 11th in The Associated Press college basketball poll.

The Redhawks will be back at the Show Me Center Feb. 4 when they play Tennessee State at 7:30 p.m. But if you can't wait that long to cheer on the team, consider taking advantage of the Southeast promotion for the Murray State game. For $30, which includes the cost of admission, you can take a bus with other local fans to the game. The deadline for this promotion is 5 p.m. Tuesday. A similar offer is planned for the Feb. 11 game at SIU Edwardsville.

After several lean years, the men's team has shown marked improvement this season. Now's a great time to encourage the Redhawks, especially by attending a home game. And don't forget to catch the women's team play at the Show Me Center as well.