INDIANS' DEBUT TAPE LEAVES GARNER SINGING UPBEAT TUNE

After watching the film of Monday night's 97-80 exhibition victory over Dream Builders, first-year Southeast Missouri State University head basketball coach Gary Garner came away even more pleased than he had been right after the game.

"After watching the tape, I saw more positive things than I saw on the bench (during the game)," said Garner during his first weekly media conference of the season Tuesday morning. "Sure, we made a lot of mistakes and our timing on offense was off. But there were so many positive things.

"Overall, at this time of the year, with a new system, I was pleased. We played hard and unselfishly, and like I said after the game, if you do those things, then good things will happen."

Defensively, said Garner, "It was kind of like our offense. In our help and recover, our timing was a little off. And our post defense was probably the most negative part. But consistency will come with practice."

The Indians scored 97 points against the squad made up primarily of former collegiate players from Drake and Iowa State, but Garner said, "We won't average 97. They weren't real strong defensively. But we do want to run and get as many easy baskets as we can."

Added Garner, "Every negative I saw, I think time will take care of. We just need more practices and games. But right now I'm really pleased."

Garner then expounded on needing more time, saying with a laugh, "For right now we're okay. But seven days from now, we better be a lot better or I'll be singing a different tune."

* Southeast's second and final exhibition game will be Friday night when Albacomp of Hungary comes to the Show Me Center for a 7:30 tipoff.

Albacomp, one of the better professional teams in Hungary, has lost to Utah 60-56 and Brigham Young 89-61 so far. Albacomp was scheduled to play at San Francisco Tuesday night and will play at Murray State Thursday night before coming to Cape Girardeau.

* The Indians' first regular-season opponent, Colorado, won both its exhibition games, beating Basketball Travelers 88-60 and the California All-Stars 90-72.

Colorado went 22-10 last year, finished second in the Big 12 Conference and routed Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Buffaloes lost their top three scorers from last year but they return two starters.

Sunday's tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CST in Boulder, Colo.

* With senior point guard Lakeo Keller sidelined while he rehabilitates a knee that has been slow to respond after surgery, Garner said shooting guard Cory Johnson will back up Kahn Cotton at the point.

"We'll just hold Lakeo out until he's ready," Garner said. "We want him 100 percent by January."

* Today marks the first day of the early signing period for high school seniors and junior-college players but Garner said he and his staff don't plan to sign anybody early.