COLLEGE BASKETBALL: SOUTHEAST TIPS OFF SEASON TONIGHT

It's a game his team should definitely win but that doesn't mean Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner still isn't fretting as the Indians prepare to open the regular season tonight.

In Division II Truman State, which will be at the Show Me Center for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, Garner sees a potentially dangerous foe that will have nothing to lose and could literally make its season by beating the Indians, an NCAA Division I Tournament squad from last season.

"It's a dangerous game," said Garner. "We should win the basketball game. They're Division II, we're Division I. We have better players. But psychologically, they'll be ready to play. It's a big game for them. If they beat us, they'll be talking about it at their banquet (after the season).

"Truman State is a good Division II team. They're organized. They can beat you. You hope your players won't take the game for granted. I know I won't. I've been Division II."

Garner is correct in saying that Truman State is a good Division II team. The Bulldogs, who will also be opening their season tonight, went 16-11 last year. And two years ago they made the Division II Final Four.

Still, Truman State coach Jack Schrader acknowledges just how tough a challenge his Bulldogs will be facing against the Indians, who went 24-7 last year and made the NCAA Division I tourney for the first time ever.

"It'll be an awfully tough challenge for us. They have a very good program and they're Division I. It's a step up," said Schrader. "But I feel like it's a good opportunity for us. It's sort of an honor for the guys, to go to a real nice place to play. It's special for our players, to play a Division I team, especially one that went to the NCAA Tournament.

"It's a situation where we have nothing to lose, but you hope you don't get thumped bad and lose confidence."

The Bulldogs return just a handful of players off last season's team, and only two starters: 6-foot-6 senior forward Brian Brown and 5-11 senior guard Mike Peterson, who both averaged a little more than 10 points per game a year ago.

"We've got a lot of new faces and I'm trying to sort a lot of players out," Schrader said. "It's going to be a building block game for us, to see where we're at."

One of the Bulldogs' new players is a local product, former Cape Girardeau Central High School all-stater Nathan Owen. A 6-2 junior guard, Owen started his college career at Southeast and played for the Indians two seasons before transferring to Truman State. Owen redshirted last year as he practiced with the Bulldogs but was not allowed to play in games.

A broken hand has slowed Owen during preseason practice. Schrader said Owen might be able to see some action tonight, but the coach isn't sure.

As for the Indians, they're also a bit banged up. Starting senior small forward Emmanuel McCuthison suffered a dislocated shoulder during last Saturday's exhibition contest against the Dreambuilders. He could see some action tonight but probably won't open the game.

And starting senior shooting guard Antonio Short -- one of only two returning regulars from last year -- will miss the contest as he finishes up a three-game suspension for violating unspecified team rules. Short was suspended for the two exhibition games and the regular-season opener.

Scheduled to start tonight for the Indians are senior point guard Michael Stokes (the other returning regular), senior shooting guard Amory Sanders, senior center Nyah Jones, sophomore power forward Drew DeMond and either senior Matt Morris or sophomore Tim Scheer at small forward in place of McCuthison.

Sanders and Jones led the Indians offensively during the two exhibition games, Sanders shooting well from the outside while averaging 20 points and Jones dominating on the inside while averaging 17 points.

Stokes was his usual steady self, averaging nine points and seven rebounds, while DeMond was a pleasant surprise with averages of 7.5 points and eight rebounds. DeMond saw limited action off the bench last year, primarily in a defensive role.

Asked whether his team is ready to open the season, a smiling Garner said, "I always have a fear that we're going to lose every game, but things always seem to fall into place."