Redhawks encounter peak, valley in same week

What a roller coaster of an Ohio Valley Conference season it has been for the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team.

Last week, which consisted of two games at the Show Me Center, was a perfect example.

After Tuesday's thrilling triple-overtime win over Austin Peay, the Redhawks again seemed to be on top of the ride.

But Saturday's 90-71 loss to Tennessee-Martin sent Southeast tumbling back to the bottom.

So let's review: Southeast wins its first six OVC games for just the second time in program history, then loses six straight, then posts the big victory over league-leader Austin Peay, and then gets humbled by UT-Martin.

I sure didn't see Saturday's blowout coming.

Not that I didn't think UT-Martin was capable of beating Southeast, but if it happened, I figured it would be in a down-to-the-wire affair.

Instead, the Skyhawks totally dominated the Redhawks in a contest that was only close for a short time.

Although the Redhawks (12-12, 7-7) are still just 1 1/2 games out of fourth place in the OVC, I'd say their chances of finishing in the top four and getting a first-round tournament home date appear slim right now, short of them running the table in their final six conference contests.

And the Redhawks are certainly no lock to even make the eight-team OVC tournament, since they're only a half-game removed from ninth place.

It sure was a disappointing performance as Southeast failed to capitalize on the momentum it gained from beating Austin Peay.

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It took place almost a week ago, and it has lost some of its luster because of what happened Saturday, but Southeast's 121-116, triple-overtime win over Austin Peay deserves special mention.

Some people are already calling Tuesday's wild affair perhaps the best game in Show Me Center history.

I won't go that far, because there have been a lot of classics in the building, but it certainly has to rank on the short list.

Sure, it was far from the most well-played game at the Show Me Center, even this season.

Southeast had 30 turnovers -- that area has been a season-long problem for the Redhawks -- and the squads combined to shoot 95 free throws.

But as far as excitement, drama and twists and turns, it would be hard to top what happened, especially in the three overtimes.

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Southeast could find out its BracketBuster opponent today, or at the very latest Tuesday.

The Redhawks will go on the road for the contest, either Feb. 22 or 23, but are guaranteed a home game with that squad next season, along with having their 2008-09 BracketBuster contest at the Show Me Center.

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The Southeast women's basketball team continues to roll.

Saturday's tougher-than-anticipated 58-51 overtime victory over UT-Martin was the Redhawks' sixth straight win and 11th in their last 12 games.

And, because of Eastern Illinois' double-overtime loss at Samford, Southeast moved into first place in the OVC.

After this week's trip to Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky, the Redhawks (15-6, 10-2) will have five of their final six games at the Show Me Center.

That's a favorable schedule that should put Southeast in the driver's seat as it chases a third straight OVC regular-season title.

One thing about the female Redhawks, no matter how they play -- good or bad -- they just always seem to find a way to win. That has basically been the case for the past three seasons.

That the Redhawks are such an experienced group -- they returned four starters from last season -- no doubt is a major factor in their ability to come through in crunch time.

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With so few seniors on the 2007 Southeast football team, coach Tony Samuel does not have many scholarships to dole out.

Many of the new players that will join the program for 2008 will be revealed Wednesday, the first day of the national letter of intent signing period for football.

The Redhawks will probably sign somewhere in the neighborhood of seven to 10 players.

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People who follow Southeast baseball no doubt remember Rowdy Hardy, who was the OVC pitcher of the year in 2005 while hurling for Austin Peay.

Hardy was recently named the Kansas City Royals minor league player of the year.

The left-hander turned in a dominant 2007 season in the Class A Carolina League, going 15-5 with a 2.48 ERA. He was named the Carolina League pitcher of the year.

Hardy was originally signed by the Royals as an undrafted free agent in 2006.

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Not that I'm ready for the basketball season to end -- far from it, because hoops is my favorite sport -- but mentioning Hardy gets my juices flowing for Southeast baseball.

It won't be long before the Redhawks play their first game -- less than three weeks, in fact, as they open Feb. 22 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Word around town is that coach Mark Hogan is extra excited about his 2008 squad.

Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.