Key role suits Southeast freshman

Terrick Willoughby entered his freshman year at Southeast Missouri State University hoping to earn a little playing time.

Instead, he's been the Indians' regular point guard since the beginning of the season and will make his eighth straight start tonight when Southeast (4-3) welcomes Division II Oakland City (5-5) to the Show Me Center in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

"I hoped to play some, but I didn't think I'd have a role like this," Willoughby said.

Although Willoughby has, like most freshmen, had his ups and downs, Southeast coach Gary Garner has been more than satisfied with the way he has handled himself -- particularly since he was only moved to point guard during preseason practice.

"For a freshman, I think Terrick is doing very well," Garner said. "He's getting better with each game, more and more comfortable. He's a really good kid with a great personality and I think that helps him handle situations."

Willoughby acknowledges that his outgoing personality -- featuring a ready smile and laugh -- has made it relatively easy for him to fit in with his new teammates.

"It helps a lot," he said. "But this is a great bunch of guys to play with and we all get along great."

Willoughby, a 6-foot-4, 180-pounder from Biloxi, Miss., has put up solid -- if not spectacular -- statistics. Playing 21.7 minutes per game, he's averaging 4.3 points while shooting an impressive 41.2 percent (7 of 17) from 3-point range. And perhaps best of all from a team standpoint, he has committed just 10 turnovers.

"I feel like I'm doing pretty good, but I can do so much better. There's always room for improvement," Willoughby said.

Willoughby came to Southeast primarily as a shooting -- or two -- guard. But the Indians already had two of their top overall players from last season returning at that position in Derek Winans and Brett Hale. In an attempt to get more athleticism on the floor, Southeast's coaches tried Willoughby at the point and liked what they saw.

"I hadn't played much point guard before at any level, but I wanted to do anything to get on the floor," Willoughby said. "With Derek and Brett at two guard, that made me third string. I would have never found the floor.

"It's been an adjustment. The main thing is I was used to shooting. That was my game. I have to show a lot more patience now as the quarterback of the team."

Willoughby said returning point guard Kevin Roberts, who led the Ohio Valley Conference in assists last year, has been a big help even though Roberts' playing time has declined dramatically with the addition of Willoughby and Valparaiso transfer Mike Nelke.

"Kevin has taught me a lot about the game, a lot I can't see. He's been a big help to me and we get along great," said Willoughby, who averaged 18 points per game as a high school senior and was ranked among the top 10 players in Mississippi. "Mike has also helped me a lot."

Willoughby would not even be at Southeast had Murray State not forced out coach Tevester Anderson following last season. Anderson, who officially resigned, is now at Jackson State. Willoughby originally signed with Murray State but was released from his scholarship after the coaching change.

"When coach Anderson left, the coaches they brought in didn't seem that interested in me. I hear they didn't think I was a Division I caliber player," said Willoughby, who was later contacted by Southeast assistant Gary Abner.

"Coach Abner heard I wasn't going to Murray State and he called my assistant coach," Willoughby said. "I had heard nothing but good things about coach Garner and all the other coaches and I'm really happy the way things worked out. I love it here."

And don't be surprised if Willoughby has a little extra motivation when the Indians battle the rival Racers this season. In Southeast's media guide, Willoughby states he "holds a grudge against Murray State" in a profile that asks each player something not many people know about them.

When the media guide comment was mentioned, a grinning Willoughby said, "Every time you go out on the floor, you have to take it personal because you want to do better than the other team. But I guess It will be more personal when we play Murray State."