Arnzen's farewell deserves to be made memorable

For whatever reason, Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball has never really caught on with area fans, much to the chagrin of Otahkians coach Ed Arnzen.

Arnzen has told me often how frustrated he's been by that, especially when he sees other communities -- Springfield, Mo., is one fairly local example -- go crazy for their women's teams.

The Otahkians have fielded some outstanding squads, particularly in their former Division II days. But except for when they play before the men and the crowd starts filing in around halftime, it's been rare when more than a few hundred fans showed up.

Arnzen is about to coach his final home game as he is retiring at the end of this season following a long and distinguished career that has featured as much class as success on the court.

And it will really be a shame if there aren't more than a smattering of fans at the Show Me Center Monday to pay tribute on Ed Arnzen Appreciation Night.

Southeast's men have three more scholarships to dole out and, in an attempt to get better in a hurry next season, the Indians are committed to filling those spots with junior-college players, which makes sense.

But that doesn't mean Southeast isn't still in the running to land New Madrid County Central senior point guard Dereke Tipler, the area's premier high school player who also ranks as one of the state's better prep performers.

Tipler is reportedly seriously considering enrolling at Southeast next school year, paying his own way the first semester and technically joining the Indians as a walk-on, after which he could be put on scholarship starting the second semester, with that scholarship counting toward Southeast's total for the following season under NCAA guidelines.

I have watched Tipler play in several games over the last two seasons and have come away impressed every time. For whatever reason, he's being lightly recruited by Division I programs, but he's a tremendous floor general and an impressive, strong athlete in addition to being a quality young man.

As somebody who would love to see Southeast get back toward the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings in the next few years -- and as somebody who believes that's going to take place -- I hope Tipler becomes an Indian and helps make it happen.

I at least got one prediction right this year when I wrote recently that I didn't think Tennessee Tech would go through the OVC season without a loss.

Not that it was a very bold forecast, since it's hard for a team to finish undefeated in any conference.

Still, the Eagles -- as expected -- breezed to the OVC title. They clinched the crown with several games remaining, although a real dogfight for the next several spots is under way heading into the final week of the regular season.

The Southeast football schedule released Friday is interesting, with two Division I-A opponents and 12 games, the latter being something that has happened just once before in school history.

While it's always tough to beat a I-A foe, if Eastern Michigan doesn't improve considerably from last year, the Indians figure to have a real shot at the upset. They almost pulled it off in 2001 before falling 16-12. But knocking off Middle Tennessee, while not a powerhouse, will be a much more formidable task.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian