JUCO STANDOUT OPTS FOR SOUTHEAST

It didn't take long for Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner and his staff to pick up their recruiting pace after hearing from the NCAA.

Thursday, the NCAA handed down its decision regarding violations under the previous coaching staff, giving the Indians three years probation and the loss of a scholarship -- but no postseason ban.

Tuesday, the Indians announced the signing of their first recruit for the 1998-99 season, forward Mike Branson from Meramec Community College in St. Louis.

Branson, a 6-foot-6, 195-pounder who will have two seasons of eligibility at Southeast, earned second-team National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American honors this year as he averaged 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

"We're very happy to have Mike Branson join our program at Southeast," said Garner. "He is an athlete who can play inside or outside. He shoots the three well and he is an excellent leaper."

A graduate of Lafayette High School in St. Louis, Branson was a two-time all-conference performer at Meramec. He earned Region 16 MVP honors this year.

"We're getting a complete player," said Garner. "He's mainly a three (small forward), but he can play the two (off-guard) and even some four (power forward) if need be.

"He's just a very solid player who we can win with. And he's a very good student. He'll probably make academic all-american."

Garner said Branson caught the eye of Southeast's coaching staff at a junior-college workout last summer and the Indians recruited him hard ever since.

"We liked him right away and we've been on him ever since," Garner said. "We feel fortunate to sign him."

Garner said he expects to sign at least one more player today and perhaps even two more.