Optimism abounds at Southeast basketball media day

Southeast Missouri State basketball teams held their media day Wednesday at the Show Me Center, an annual event that gives players and coaches an opportunity to tout their prospects for the upcoming season.

The mood is generally upbeat during these types of gatherings, not only at Southeast but at other programs around the country. Optimism for successful campaigns abounds, even if those hopes might not be realistic.

Both Southeast squads, however, believe their enthusiasm is very realistic -- and that appears to have merit.

Southeast's men begin their fifth season under coach Dickey Nutt widely regarded as among the Ohio Valley Conference favorites, with several publications picking the Redhawks to win the OVC West Division after they finished second last year.

"We want to stay humble, but if we do the little things, it's [an OVC title] definitely in front of us," junior forward Nino Johnson said.

Added senior all-conference forward Tyler Stone: "We're not planning on selling ourselves short this year. We've got monsters at every position. We want to bring home the championship."

Southeast's women, entering their third year under coach Ty Margenthaler, appear ready to make a major jump forward after Margenthaler took over a totally floundering program, much like Nutt did.

"We want to build the program. ... we're headed in the right direction," sophomore guard Kara Wright said. "I feel like we can make some noise this year, especially with our conference being so senior-heavy last year."

Added senior point guard Jordan Hunter: "I think we're all excited. We're here to prove a point this year."

Nutt's Redhawks have improved the program's record during each of his four seasons and last year they went 17-16 for their first winning mark since the 2004-05 team went 15-14.

Southeast recorded the program's most victories since the 2000-01 squad won 18 games and claimed a win in the OVC tournament for the third consecutive year -- a first for the program.

"I'm very excited," Nutt said. "Expectations are very high but I think that's good. We're not going to shy away from it. I think it's good for our program, for our fans, for recruiting."

Despite losing three key seniors, the Redhawks return a strong talent base and added several key newcomers, including Auburn transfer Josh Langford, who practiced with the squad during last year's second semester and will become eligible following the end of this year's first semester in late December.

"I think we really have a chance to win the OVC championship, get to the NCAA tournament and compete. I really believe it," said Langford, who at 6-feet-7 can play multiple positions, including guard.

Margenthaler's Redhawks have also made steady progress during his first two seasons and he expects that trend to continue.

Although the Redhawks failed to make the OVC tournament for the fourth straight year last season, they posted the program's most overall and conference wins since the 2008-09 campaign.

Southeast went 11-18 overall and 5-11 in OVC play, which tied the Redhawks for ninth place among 12 teams, their highest finish since 2008-09. Only the top eight finishers qualify for the OVC tournament.

"I'm excited about where we are. We've added with our recruiting to go along with the players we have returning," Margenthaler said. "We really feel like we can make a big push and compete for the championship."

The Redhawks, like their male counterparts, lost three key seniors but return a solid talent base and added eight newcomers.

"I think we're ready [to make a big improvement]," said junior guard Allyson Bradshaw, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate.

Southeast's men have two home exhibition games, Oct. 29 against Hannibal-LaGrange and Nov. 2 against Ouachita Baptist, before opening the season Nov. 8 at Saint Louis University.

Southeast's women play their only exhibition game Nov. 2, hosting Maryville. The season opener is Nov. 8 at Alabama A&M.

Women's breakfast

Southeast's women and the Hoop Troop have partnered with My Daddy's Cheesecake to host a free monthly breakfast with the Redhawks for the second straight season.

Beginning Nov. 7 at 7 a.m., Margenthaler, along with other team representatives, welcome all Redhawk fans to start their day at My Daddy's Cheesecake (265 S. Broadview in Cape Girardeau) to get updates on the season. Fans in attendance will receive free coffee and breakfast.

The event will run on the first Thursday of each month until the end of the women's basketball season in March. The other dates are Dec. 5, Jan. 2 and Feb. 6. The March breakfast will be held following the conclusion of the women's basketball season, its date to be announced later.

The Hoop Troop, in its second season, is a group dedicated to supporting the' women's basketball program. A perk package is available for different levels of membership, those levels are Bronze ($100-249), Silver ($250-499) Gold ($500-999) and Platinum ($1,000 and above).

The Hoop Troop is also installing a Three-Point Society, where members can pledge a dollar amount for every three-pointer the Redhawks make this season.

Captains named

Senior point guard Lucas Nutt and Johnson were voted team captains for the men, while Hunter and senior forward Patricia Mack received the nod for the women.

Men add walk-on

Southeast's men have added a fourth invited walk-on guard to the roster, junior Caleb Woods from Dyersburg State Community College.

Woods had been practicing with the Redhawks for the past couple of weeks.