OWEN PRACTICES AN OPEN MIND WITH SE

Nathan Owen doesn't really have any idea what kind of role he'll be playing for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team this season.

Owen does, however, know this: he's willing to do whatever coach Gary Garner has in mind for him and he's elated about being able to play his college basketball in his home town.

"I'm excited. I'm ready to get going," said the former Cape Girardeau Central High all-stater with a big grin as he anticipated today's start of official practice. "Wherever they (Southeast's coaches) need me, I'll try to do my best to help the team win.

"It's exciting to be playing here in Cape. And going to school here where I've been living, it's just been real easy. I haven't had to get used to much of anything new."

A physical 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard, Owen had his way with most of the high school competition he faced, earning Class 4A all-state honors twice. During his senior season at Central last year, Owen averaged 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals per game.

Owen then took his game to an even higher level during the summer when he was named an AAU All-American as he led all scorers during the AAU National Tournament.

But Owen is smart enough to realize that what he'll be facing on the Division I college level pales in comparison to what he's faced in the past.

"I know it's going to be a lot different," he said. "I think the biggest thing is it's a lot faster, with bigger players. The speed of the game will probably be a lot different.

"But I've tried to do my best to prepare for this. I worked out well and played a lot over the summer."

Owen has already made something of an impression on Garner, the Indians' first-year head coach.

"During our (preseason) conditioning, he was winning some of the time, which is very unusual for a freshman," said Garner. "He'll help us this year."

Owen said he can't wait to play a game at the Show Me Center. He's seen plenty of Southeast games in the past and also had his share of success on that very floor, including leading Central's Tigers to last season's University High School Christmas Tournament championship.

"I've seen a lot of games here and I've had a lot of good times playing on this court," he said. "I'm really looking forward to getting out there and playing."

He won't have to wait long, since the Indians' first exhibition game is set for Nov. 10.