BECK DONS INDIAN UNIFORM, BUT WILL FACE SE SATURDAY

There might have been some people who doubted whether Scott City High product Jon Beck could make an impact as a freshman on the Arkansas State basketball team.

Beck's head coach in Jonesboro even wondered just how much Beck might be able to help the Indians right away.

Everybody, it seemed, had some questions about Beck's ability to contribute as a rookie -- except for Beck himself.

"It was a goal of mine to play this year," said Beck. "If they wanted to redshirt me, that would have been fine. But I really wanted to play, and I thought I could play."

Beck has been right -- he could play right away. The 6-foot guard has been a key contributor for ASU, averaging 16 minutes of playing time and 7.4 points per game as one of the first players off the bench for the Indians, who were 1-4 prior to Thursday's contest against Memphis.

"He's certainly been a pleasant surprise so far," said ASU head coach Dickey Nutt, who admitted, "No, I didn't expect him to do this well this soon. But he works so hard. He's fit in well."

"We felt like he was a very good high school player, but I felt like the difference in the level of play would take a while for him to adjust to. But he's such a winner. I don't think he's lost a sprint (in practice and conditioning drills) yet."

Beck, whose No. 1 asset right now is his exceptional long-range shooting, will bring his feathery touch to familiar territory Saturday night when Southeast Missouri State University hosts ASU in a 7:30 tipoff at the Show Me Center.

That matchup has had Beck salivating for a while now.

"I can't wait. I've been waiting for it all year," said a laughing Beck during a telephone interview from his dorm room in Jonesboro. "I've been talking to a lot of my friends. I think all of Scott City will be there."

Beck, who was also recruited heavily by Southeast before signing with ASU, played in the University High School Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center all four years of his celebrated high school career.

"Our guys (at ASU) have never played there before and I've told them what it's like," said Beck. "I think I'll have confidence when I go there because I've played a lot of games there."

During his days at Scott City, Beck earned a pair of Class 2A all-state honors and helped the Rams average an impressive 26 wins a season over four years.

As a junior, Beck hit 16 3-pointers during a game against Egyptian, Ill., to set a state record and rank high on the all-time national list. He scored 59 points during that game, which ranks ninth all-time in Missouri.

While Beck hasn't yet put up any eye-opening numbers on the collegiate level, he has been impressive, scoring 15 points on five 3-pointers against Austin Peay and 12 points on four 3-pointers against Jackson State to be named ASU's Player of the Game in both contests, which the Indians lost.

"That was really a thrill, but I wish we could have won those games," Beck said.

Prior to Thursday's game against Memphis, Beck had hit 10 of 22 3-pointers for an impressive 45.5 percent. But he said shooting is not the only way he can help the Indians.

"Being a freshman, I just want to help the team any way I can," he said.

But Nutt likes to utilize Beck's shooting whenever possible.

"I have the green light. Coach says there's not a bad shot for me, which is a nice feeling," said Beck, who added with a chuckle, "but I know to use good judgment."