Paradoski's paradox: Redhawks seek more points from their point guard

Paul Paradoski had a solid freshman season after being thrown into the fire as Southeast Missouri State's starting point guard last year, leading the Ohio Valley Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio.

But Paradoski struggled with his shooting, hitting just 32.8 percent overall and 24.3 percent from 3-point range as he averaged 1.9 points per game.

Getting more offensive production from Paradoski -- and keeping defenses honest in the process -- is an emphasis for the Redhawks this year.

While Paraodski still has to prove it during the season, he certainly displayed a better stroke Saturday night, when the Redhawks ended their two-game exhibition schedule by beating Arkansas Tech 59-55.

"I feel a lot better about my shot this year," Paradoski said.

Against Arkansas Tech, Paradoski scored 10 points as he hit four of nine field-goal attempts, including two of six from 3-point range.

That might not sound like an offensive outburst, but it is certainly an improvement from last year, when Paradoski not only struggled with his stroke but was reluctant to shoot, attempting just 58 field goals all season.

"We don't need Paul to be a great scorer, we just need him to contribute some and be an offensive threat so the defense can't forget about him," said Southeast coach Gary Garner, whose squad opens the season Friday night at home against Division II Truman State.

Garner has seen enough from Paradoski during practice and the Redhawks' two exhibition games to believe defenses won't be able to leave him alone this year.

"I think Paul has really improved his shot," Garner said.

Paradoski, who scored a total of 17 points in Southeast's two exhibition contests, said it's all about confidence -- and this year he believes he has it.

"I worked on my shot a lot and I feel way more confident," he said. "Last year it was a confidence thing. I was scared to shoot, with all the seniors we had.

"It was kind of embarrassing last year. They'd lay off me and I still wouldn't shoot. I always shot pretty good in high school, and coach has told me I need to shoot."

Added a laughing Paradoski, "Last year, I thought if I missed, I might come out. This year, coach has said if I don't shoot, I'm coming out."

While Paradoski's offense continues to be a work in progress, the rest of his game certainly is not.

The 6-foot, 160-pound Paradoski, a former standout at Vianney High School in St. Louis, has the look of a natural point guard, with his quick feet, flashy ballhandling and ability to find the open man.

"Paul really has a great feel for the game," Garner said. "He's a good athlete, he's quick, and he's also a good defensive player."

Paradoski didn't originally expect to see much action for the Redhawks last year, and he thought he might even spend his true freshman season as a redshirt.

But Garner wasn't happy with his team's point guard play early in the season, so he soon inserted Paradoski into the lineup.

Paradoski wound up starting 27 of Southeast's 29 games -- he played in every contest -- and handed out 94 assists against just 36 turnovers. He led the Redhawks in assists and also ranked second in steals with 35.

"For a freshman, Paul had a very good season," Garner said. "We didn't know if he would play all that much. We thought we might even try to redshirt him. He ends up being our starting point guard, and he probably ran the team as well as any point guard in the league."

While Paradoski's offense picked up during the exhibition season, his overall floor play has been up to its usual standards. In the two games, Paradoski had 17 assists against five turnovers, along with four steals.

"Paul has worked hard and he has really gotten better," Garner said. "He's playing well. We look for him to have a very good year."