INDIANS SHOOT FOR AT LEAST SHARE OF OVC TITLE; SOUTHEAST ATTEMPTS A SCHOOL FIRST TODAY AT EASTERN KENTUCKY

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Like most basketball coaches, Gary Garner takes nothing for granted.

That's why Garner claims he is plenty worried about Southeast Missouri State University's final regular-season opponent.

Eastern Kentucky, which will play host to Southeast in a 3:15 p.m. tipoff today, has lost 15 straight games and the Colonels have long been eliminated from contention for a berth in the Ohio Valley Conference postseason tournament.

Still, Garner is wary of the Colonels, the last remaining obstacle between Southeast and at least a share of its first-ever OVC regular-season championship.

"The scary thing is they have absolutely nothing to lose. They can just relax and shoot the basketball," said Garner. "They'll be able to play free and easy, and that's the kind of situation that worries you." On the other hand, however, it's very possible that EKU with absolutely nothing to play for has pretty much already thrown in the towel.

EKU's performance Thursday night hinted of the above as the Colonels were destroyed by visiting Eastern Illinois 90-47. It was EKU's worst home loss ever.

"That's really a surprising score, to get beat that bad at home," Garner said.

The Colonels have been beaten soundly both at home and on the road this season, as their 6-20 overall record and 2-15 OVC mark suggests. EKU is assured of finishing last in the 10-team OVC.

Southeast, on the other hand, has a lot going for it entering today's game. The Indians, 20-6 overall and 13-4 in league play, will clinch at least a tie for its first OVC regular-season title with a win. And a victory would put serious heat on Murray State, which would then need to win at Tennessee Tech tonight to gain a share of the crown.

"With so much on the line, I'd be surprised if we don't come out really ready to play," said Garner.

Garner's job Friday during practice was to keep his players relatively grounded and focused on the Colonels.

The Indians had a mini-celebration in their Morehead (Ky.) motel late Thursday night after learning of Murray State's loss to Middle Tennessee. Coupled with Southeast's 74-58 win over Morehead State earlier that evening, the Indians pulled into a first-place OVC tie with the Racers.

"We got great news (Thursday night), but we have to not think about that so we can concentrate on Eastern Kentucky," Garner said. "We just have to take care of what we can control by winning (today). Then we'll root for Tennessee Tech to beat Murray State.

"But either way, as long as we beat Eastern Kentucky, we're conference co-champions, which would be quite an accomplishment. Winning the championship outright would just be that much sweeter."

Despite its struggles, EKU actually gave Southeast quite a run for its money during an earlier meeting in Cape Girardeau. The Indians broke open a close game late and pulled away for a 77-65 victory on Jan. 29.

Sam Hoskin, a 6-8 sophomore forward, leads the Colonels offensively with 15.9 points per game. EKU's only other double-figure scorer is 5-11 sophomore guard Whitney Robinson, who averages 12.2 points a contest.

"They're a young team, but their talent level is really good," said Garner of a Colonels squad that starts three sophomores, one freshman and one junior. "With a young team, you're going to have ups and downs."

Southeast has three double-figure scorers, led by senior forward Roderick Johnson, who is first on the team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.2).

Johnson leads the OVC in field-goal percentage, his .622 mark also ranking fifth in the nation.

Also averaging in double figures for the Indians are junior point guard Michael Stokes (12.4 ppg) and senior forward Mike Branson (12.2 ppg).

Stokes, who leads Southeast in assists, has been on fire from 3-point range lately and he has taken over the team lead in that department, shooting 41.4 percent, including 45.8 percent in OVC play.

Garner figures getting off to a strong start today will be important. The Indians did that against Morehead State Thursday, jumping out to a 12-2 lead and basically never letting the Eagles in the game after that.

"It's very important, like Thursday, that we get off to a good start," Garner said. "It really deflates a team, when they're not having a good year, when you start fast. We really have to jump on them early."

INDIAN NOTES: Garner figures winning at least a share of the OVC regular-season title would greatly help Southeast's chances of gaining an NIT bid if it doesn't win the OVC Tournament to qualify for the NCAA tourney.

If the Indians win the rest of their games but lose in the OVC Tournament finals, they would be 23-7. That in itself would give Southeast a shot at the NIT, but the fact the Indians won at least a piece of the league title would definitely boost their chances.

Of course, Garner and the Indians have their sights set on making the NCAA field for the first time ever on the Division I level. But if that doesn't happen, the NIT would be a nice consolation prize for Southeast's young Division I program.

"I think being at least conference co-champions would definitely help us with the NIT, if we don't make the NCAA Tournament," said Garner.