INDIANS DISCOVER TOUGH SCHEDULE HAS BENEFITS SINCE OVC PLAY BEGINS

Maybe Southeast Missouri State University's brutal early-season schedule -- which virtually guaranteed the Indians a poor overall record at this point -- is paying dividends after all.

Among the Indians' non-conference losses in the first several weeks of the season were setbacks against Cincinnati, Missouri, Oklahoma, Old Dominion and Fresno State, who all should stand solid chances of making the NCAA Tournament.

Throw in losses to Southern Illinois and Samford -- also certainly no slouches -- and no wonder the Indians entered Ohio Valley Conference play over the weekend with a 3-8 record.

But the Indians had to open some OVC eyes as they began league play on the road against the teams picked to finish one-two in the 10-team conference.

First, Southeast gave preseason OVC favorite Austin Peay all it could handle before the Govs -- with Bubba Wells scoring 39 points in his first game back from an injury -- pulled away late for a 96-85 victory on Saturday.

Then on Monday, the Indians posted a surprisingly lopsided 71-53 win over Tennessee State, picked to finish second in the OVC. Granted, the Tigers played without injured standout Monty Wilson, but the 18-point victory was still mighty impressive.

"No question, playing the type of schedule we did had to help prepare us for the conference season," said Southeast coach Ron Shumate. "We took our lumps early against some outstanding basketball teams, but hopefully it's going to pay off."

Of course, as Shumate pointed out following Monday's win, it's hard to get too excited after only two league games.

The Indians will get a continued indication of where they stack up in the conference during a three-game homestand that begins Thursday night against Tennessee-Martin. Southeast will also host Eastern Kentucky (Saturday) and Morehead State (Monday).

"It's going to be an important homestand for us," Shumate said.

* Not surprisingly, as the Indians have improved their shooting percentage, they've become a lot more competitive, even against much higher-profile programs.

During the first seven games this season, Southeast shot only 37 percent from the field. But over the last six games, the Indians have shot 48 percent, including 51 percent against Austin Peay and 52 percent in the second half against Tennessee State.

A big factor in the improved shooting is that the Indians are simply getting better and closer shots. They've also started to work the ball in more and more to center Bud Eley, who is perhaps the OVC's dominant big men.

* Eley, forward Calvert White and guard Allen Hatchett shouldered much of the offensive load in the first two OVC games.

Eley scored 50 points, including a 31-point outburst against Austin Peay. White had 30 points while Hatchett had 29.

Hatchett, a sophomore who is not a true point guard but plays that role for the Indians, has been extremely impressive lately. He had a career-high 19 points against Fresno State in the final game of the Puerto Rico Classic, then played well against both Austin Peay and Tennessee State.

"Allen has really been playing well for us," said Shumate.

* Dante Bryant, also a member of the Southeast football team, made his first start against Tennessee State.

Bryant, although playing 19 minutes at shooting guard, failed to score as he missed all six of his field-goal attempts.

Still, he figures to help the Indians more and more as he shakes off the rust of not having played organized basketball for a few years.

Bryant, a wide receiver, caught 25 passes for the Southeast football team this year.

* Hatchett figures to get some help soon at the point from Lakeo Keller.

Keller, who has been bothered much of the season by a chipped bone in his foot, did not make the recent trip to Puerto Rico. He was with the team on its first OVC road trip but did not see any action.

A junior-college transfer, Keller is scheduled to return Thursday night. He played in four of the Indians' first five games, starting three and averaging 6.8 points and 3.1 assists per game. He has missed the last eight games.

* So far, things in the OVC are extremely scrambled, with nine of 10 teams having at least one loss.

Tennessee Tech (2-0) is the only undefeated league squad.