FAMILIARITY AIDS FIRST WEEK OF HOOP PRACTICE

Save for an injury to Demetrius Watson, Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner said he couldn't be more pleased with the way the first week of practice went.

"I'm really happy," said Garner prior to Monday's workout, which marked the beginning of the second week of practice for the Indians. "The attitude and work ethic of our team is just really good. Our players are working extremely hard and I feel really positive about that.

"We are definitely further along right now than we were at this time last year. We still have a long way to go, but if we keep working like this, we'll get there."

Watson, a senior forward and a returning starter, suffered a concussion in practice last week that will sideline him for about 10 days.

Garner said the fact that he and his staff are now in their second season at Southeast has made for a much smoother start to practice.

"We're moving at a faster pace, especially offensively, because of the guys we had returning," he said. "They've kind of picked up where they left off last year as far as understanding and knowing what we expect out of them and it's also easier for them to pass things on to the younger guys.

"Being in our second year here also makes a big difference for our staff. We were all new last year and I don't think people realize what a big adjustment that is for a staff. Last year was my first time to work with Tom (Schuberth) and Anthony (Beane) and Keno (Davis). For my staff to have had a year now, it makes practice go so much smoother."

Garner said he has been particularly impressed with the way senior center Bud Eley, the Ohio Valley Conference preseason player of the year, is going about his business.

"Bud's work ethic and attitude, his leadership on the floor by example, are just outstanding," Garner said. "I just could not ask for more. Bud is really doing well."

Eley and Watson are two of six returning lettermen for the Indians, the others being senior guards Cory Johnson and Kahn Cotton and sophomore guards Nathan Owen and Matt Morris.

Morris, a walkon who was a major surprise last season, has impressed Garner.

"Matt has just improved so much," said the coach. "He's worked really hard in the weight room to get bigger and stronger. We've been thinking about redshirting him because we've got more depth at guard this year, but we're not going to redshirt him if he can help us."

The Indians have five newcomers, including junior forward Roderick Johnson and sophomore guard Jeramy Biles, who both practiced with the team last year but could not participate in games because of NCAA transfer rules. The other newcomers are junior center Brian Bunche, junior forward Mike Branson and freshman guard Fred Abraham.

"I think they're all picking things up pretty well, but it's always a little tougher on the new players," Garner said. "We just have to keep working like we have been."

Southeast's first exhibition game is not very far off. The Indians will host the Dreambuilders Nov. 5 and have a final home exhibition against Slovakia Nov. 9. The season opener will be Nov. 14 against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at home.