Indians' point guard has eligibility problem

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team will be minus a squad member when the Indians play three exhibition games in Canada this weekend.

Coach Gary Garner is keeping his fingers crossed that junior college transfer guard Ryan "Fuzzy" Belcher will miss only those three contests and not the entire season as his eligibility recently came into question.

Belcher has not been able to practice with the Indians in preparation for this weekend's trip while Southeast officials await word from the NCAA on a waiver regarding Belcher's eligibility.

According to Southeast coach Gary Garner, at question is a three-hour class that the university has not accepted toward Belcher's graduation from Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis.

Garner said Southeast probably won't learn of Belcher's fate for several weeks. In the meantime, he has been held out of practice for the Canada trip. The Indians began their allotted 10 days of practice last Monday.

Belcher, one of five junior college transfers for the Indians, was considered a leading contender for the starting point guard position this season.