Optimistic Redhawks take court for first practice

~ Southeast men figure to feature a different type of team this season.

Excitement was the operative word as the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team held its first official practice Tuesday afternoon at the Show Me Center.

"It's a very exciting day, to get started again with practice," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "We're all excited."

Optimism is high for the Redhawks, who have improved their record during each of Nutt's four seasons as coach.

Southeast returns four starters and has added what Nutt believes are several impact newcomers as the Redhawks figure to rank among the Ohio Valley Conference preseason favorites.

While the official OVC preseason poll won't be out for a few weeks, at least two magazines have picked the Redhawks to win the OVC West Division.

Southeast finished second in the OVC West last year but figures to rank as the favorite this season after Murray State lost all of its top players.

"I think we have all the pieces. We know what it takes hopefully," senior point guard Lucas Nutt said. "We're bigger, stronger. ... it's probably the most athletic team we've had since I've been here."

The Redhawks will rely on that athleticism on both ends of the court as they feature somewhat of a different type squad this year.

Southeast connected on a program single-season record 256 3-pointers in 2012-13, ranking first in the OVC and eighth nationally in 3-point field goal shooting at 39.8 percent.

Last year's three seniors -- Corey Wilford, Southeast's second-leading scorer; Marland Smith, the program's career record-holder for 3-point baskets; and Nick Niemczyk -- were all shooting guards who hit the bulk of the Redhawks' 3-pointers.

Returning players accounted for only 61 of those 256 3-pointers, led by senior guard A.J. Jones (30, on 42.9-percent shooting) and Nutt (19, on 38.8-percent shooting).

"We don't have the type of shooters we had last year," Lucas Nutt said. "But we'll be a lot more physical, a lot more athletic. I feel like there will be a lot more drives to the basket."

Dickey Nutt said the Redhawks will be relying on the likes of Jones and his son for long-range shooting, along with several newcomers.

But the coach believes what the Redhawks might lack in 3-point shooting they can more than make up for in other aspects of their game.

"We're going to be looking for some guys to shoot the basketball, but we've got a lot of guys who can really drive the ball to the basket," Nutt said. "We're going to put a long and athletic team out on the floor. I think we'll have a lot of depth and we should really be able to stretch the floor defensively."

Last season's Redhawks went 17-16 for the program's first winning record 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.

The Redhawks have their sights set much higher this season as they aim for a major breakthrough.

"We're all really excited," Lucas Nutt said. "We just have to keep working hard but we all feel like this can be a really big year."

Southeast has 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.