Redhawks get back to work for NCAA tournament opener

Southeast Missouri State is still a few days away from finding out the particulars regarding its first appearance in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

But the Redhawks don't have to know who their opponent is in order to work on their game in anticipation of their opening-round NCAA contest, which will be either March 18 or 19.

After taking some time off following Saturday's 71-50 win over Tennessee Tech in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., the Redhawks resumed practice on Wednesday.

"We gave them two days off, then we just shot around Tuesday, and Wednesday was our first real day back," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said. "We'll have some good practices before we find out who we play."

That will happen Monday, when the selection show is televised on ESPN from 6 to 7 p.m.

Southeast fans have the opportunity to gather with the Redhawks and watch the selections at the Show Me Center. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Popcorn and soda will be provided, and there will be a slide show and video prior to 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. Smith will address the gathering.

"It's a good way for us to get together with our fans, who were so great in Nashville, and watch the selection show together," Smith said.

Smith is hopeful the Redhawks (22-8) will be sent to a regional within reasonable driving distance of Cape Girardeau. Three that fit the bill are Nashville, Chicago and West Lafayette, Ind.

"I would love for us to be somewhere that our fans can get to pretty easily," Smith said.

As for what kind of seed the Redhawks might receive in the 64-team tournament, Smith said, "Right now we're probably looking at a 14, but if there are some upsets in conference tournaments, maybe a 12 or a 13.

"We would love to be a 12 or a 13. Where we go and who we play is a big part of it."

Eastern Kentucky, last year's OVC tournament champion after beating Southeast in double-overtime in the finals, received a No. 12 seed. The Colonels were sent to Fresno, Calif., where they lost to Arizona State 87-65 in the first round.

The OVC has not won an NCAA tournament game since the 1989-90 season, when Tennessee Tech beat South Carolina 77-73. The Eaglettes then lost in the second round to Auburn 73-54.

Smith said the Redhawks are not content to simply be in the NCAA Division I playoffs for the first time -- they're intent on making some noise.

"We don't want to just go there, we want to do something," he said. "I think we've got the team capable of doing that."

Southeast should enter the NCAA tournament as one of the nation's hottest squads. The Redhawks have won 16 of their past 17 games.

"I can't imagine too many teams going in with that kind of streak," Smith said.

As Southeast resumed practice this week, Smith said the focus is to make sure the Redhawks are not simply satisfied with being first-time OVC tournament champions and NCAA Division I tournament participants.

"Our biggest hurdle at this point is to get over the fact we won the OVC tournament, and to realize that we still have more basketball to play," he said. "They seem focused. I think we'll go into it with the right attitude."