Griffin beefs up for even bigger season

Brandon Griffin was a rebounding terror last year --and his offseason work in the weight room could make it even more difficult for the opposition to keep Southeast Missouri State University's senior center off the boards.

The 6-foot-8 Griffin, who set Southeast's single-season rebounding record during his first year with the program, has added about 15 pounds to his already rock-solid frame, making him a robust 240.

"I worked pretty hard lifting weights," Griffin said. "I feel a lot stronger and I think it's going to help me."

Griffin was arguably the most pleasant surprise of last year's 11-19 season for the Indians.

Despite being lightly recruited out of Southwest Mississippi Junior College, Griffin was one of the Ohio Valley Conference's better centers, averaging 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to finish second in the voting for the league's newcomer of the year award.

Griffin's 314 rebounds were a Southeast record and he finished second in the OVC in rebounding while ranking 12th nationally. He almost single-handedly helped the Indians hold their own on the boards as no other Southeast player averaged more than four rebounds per game.

An accurate shooter

In addition, Griffin used a wise shot selection to hit 57.3 percent of his field-goal attempts, ranking eighth in the OVC and 26th nationally.

"Brandon had a great season. He's just so relentless around the boards," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "To average a double-double for the season is really hard to do. I don't know where we would have been as far as rebounding without Brandon."

And Garner, whose squad hosts Truman State in its exhibition opener Thursday night, looks for an even better Griffin to show up this season, although with more talent around him -- particularly on the inside -- his numbers might not reflect that.

"I really think Brandon is going to be a lot better," Garner said. "We were the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship and I don't know if he really knew he could play like that. Now he has so much more confidence."

Griffin agreed, saying, "I think I've improved a lot and I have a lot more confidence. I really didn't know what to expect last year."

What Griffin does expect this season is a lot more rebounding help that could make his average go down -- not that he would mind. The likes of junior-college transfers Dainmon Gonner, Reggie Golson and Norman Prather, among others, should aid Griffin around the glass.

"I'll have more help this year," Griffin said. "Dainmon, Reggie, even Norman, they can all rebound."

Griffin also expects a much better Southeast team this year, thanks to all five starters returning and the addition of five key recruits.

"I'm so excited about the season," he said, smiling. "I think we have the talent to compete for the conference championship."Noteworthy

***Brett Hale (knee) and Golson (sprained ankle) both missed several days of practice with injuries that are not considered serious. Hale should be able to play Thursday while Golson is questionable.

Prather (sprained ankle) went down during Sunday's practice and his status for Thursday is undetermined.