INDIANS WILL RELY HEAVILY ON SENIORS

Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner believes the key to any successful season is strong senior leadership -- both on and off the court.

"Senior leadership is very important to any basketball team," said Garner, whose squad began practice for the 1999-2000 campaign Saturday. "We're going to be counting on our seniors to provide us that leadership and I really believe they will."

The 1999-2000 edition of the Indians features only three seniors, but all of them say they are more than willing to accept the role that their coach expects of them.

Roderick Johnson, a 6-foot-6 forward, is the Indians' top returning scorer and rebounder after averaging 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game -- while shooting 57 percent from the field -- in earning all-Ohio Valley Conference newcomer honors last year.

"It's my senior year and I feel like I know a lot of things, like our offense, better than most," said Johnson. "I want to try and lead by example and also help the younger guys out whenever they need it."

Mike Branson, a 6-6 forward, averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, which he capped with a big OVC Tournament by scoring 50 points in three games to earn all-tourney honors.

"Ever since last year, coach has been telling me about being a leader," Branson said. "I'm really trying to do that."

Brian Bunche, a rugged 6-8 forward/center, was a key backup behind OVC Player of the Year Bud Eley last season, averaging 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds.

"We have a lot of young guys who need somebody to lead them in the right direction," said Bunche. "That's what I'm here for."

The three seniors all say that what happened at the end of last season -- when the Indians came within seconds of making the NCAA Tournament after losing at the buzzer in the OVC tourney finals -- has served as an extra motivational tool for this year.

"I've lost two championships by one point now, one in junior college and last year," said Branson. "I don't want that feeling again."

Said Bunche, "What happened last year just motivates us even more to get to the NCAA Tournament. We can feel it."

Added Johnson with a laugh, "I watched the tape of that game (against Murray State) at least 150 times over the summer. I kept hoping the ending would be different, but it was always the same.

"For our three seniors, it's our last year and we want to finally get over the jinx of losing to Murray State. I have a good feeling this is our year."

If it is the Indians' year, then Garner will probably say that his team's senior leadership played a major role.