Edgar sees promise as he prepares for his third season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Ohio Valley Conference's men's basketball coaches and sports information directors expect Southeast Missouri State's free-fall to continue.

That group voted the Redhawks eighth among 10 teams as the OVC preseason poll was announced at the league's media day Wednesday.

Southeast coach Scott Edgar believes he has the squad to prove people wrong.

"Every year there is a surprise team in the conference," Edgar said. "I don't see why that team can't be us."

Edgar's second Southeast squad got out of the gate with a bang last season, winning its first six OVC games as part of an 11-5 start overall.

Then top player Brandon Foust suffered a season-ending knee injury and the bottom fell out.

The Redhawks limped to the finish line by losing 13 of their last 14 conference games and 14 of their last 15 games overall.

Southeast wound up 12-19 overall and a ninth-place 7-13 in what was then an 11-team league. The Redhawks missed the eight-team conference tournament.

"We did have two seasons last year," Edgar said. "One started out spectacular and one did not end the way we wanted it to."

On the surface, it's not surprising Southeast is regarded so lightly.

The Redhawks are down to 10 healthy scholarship players due to injury, transfers and their top two recruits not qualifying academically.

Probable starting point guard Hank Harris, the 11th and final scholarship player, will miss the entire season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during a pickup game.

Still, Edgar sees potential light at the end of the tunnel.

Edgar said his players have displayed a strong attitude and work ethic during preseason workouts, and he believes team chemistry already is better than it has been at any time during his tenure at Southeast.

"Our chemistry has surpassed any we've had the first two years," said Edgar, whose initial Southeast squad in 2006-07 finished 11-20 overall and a sixth-place 9-11 in the OVC. "I don't think any group has put as much effort and interest into the preseason as we have.

"We may not have as many numbers as most people, but I think from an attitude and effort standpoint, we're second to none at this point."

But Edgar realizes chemistry, attitude and effort can only carry a team so far.

"We have some talent with it," Edgar said.

Edgar believes the Redhawks have three all-conference caliber players in senior forward Jaycen Herring, senior guard Kenard Moore and junior forward Calvin Williams.

Herring led Southeast in scoring last year with a 13.1 average and Moore averaged 10.4 points. The 6-foot-9 Williams averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, while leading Southeast with 32 blocks.

"I think we have three outstanding players," Edgar said. "All at times showed flashes of all-conference play last season."

The other seven players will have to fill roles, Edgar said.

Others returning are junior guards Jimmy Drew (4.2 ppg), and Johnny Hill (1.7 ppg), while sophomore forward Jajuan Maxwell is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Maxwell averaged 5.1 points as a freshman two years ago.

The newcomer with the best credentials is junior college transfer forward LaMont Russell, while other juco transfers are point guard Bijon Jones and center/forward Israel Kirk.

Forward Stuart Pirri is Southeast's lone freshman.

Edgar acknowledges that point guard is a major question mark. Jones is the only true point guard on the roster, but Edgar said players like Moore, Herring and Drew all could figure into the mix at that position.

"If the top three players can play near an all-conference level on a consistent basis and they're supported and surrounded by guys they can make better and can make them better ... I think we can have a good team," Edgar said. "I really think once fans get to know this Redhawks team, they'll embrace them."

Southeast begins practice Oct. 17.

Being embraced the most by the OVC coaches and sports information directors were Murray State and Tennessee-Martin. Those teams were a solid one-two in the preseason poll.

Murray State received 11 of 20 first-place votes, while UT-Martin nabbed six.

The Racers return four starters from a team that finished second in the league a year ago. Murray State has won a record 20 OVC regular-season titles, the last coming in 2005-06.

"We're honored to be selected preseason No. 1, but it's won and lost on the floor," third-year Racers coach Billy Kennedy said. "I'd rather be picked to win it than be picked last.

"What I'm excited about is we've improved."

So has UT-Martin, which tied for its highest finish — fourth — last year since joining the OVC in 1992. The Skyhawks have their highest-ever preseason ranking after being tabbed for the cellar a year ago.

The Skyhawks return the OVC player of the year in senior guard Lester Hudson — fifth nationally in scoring with a 25.7 average — and league freshman of the year Marquis Weddle, a guard who added 17.1 points.

"We're excited to be picked up toward the top," UT-Martin coach Bret Campbell said. "We're excited where our expectations are."

Two-time defending regular-season champion Austin Peay — last year's tournament winner — received two first-place votes and was tabbed third, while Morehead State received the final first-place vote and was picked fourth.