Redhawks hope nonconference tests have prepared them

~ The Southeast women open conference play tonightat Tennessee State.

One thing appears certain regarding Southeast Missouri State's current 2-3 record.

After playing three opponents that advanced to at least the second round of last year's NCAA tournament, it's doubtful the Redhawks will face anything as rugged in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Redhawks will start to see if that's true today as they begin OVC play with a 5:30 p.m. game at Tennessee State (1-2). The Tigers also will be playing their conference opener.

Southeast will remain on the road Saturday for another 5:30 p.m. OVC contest at Tennessee Tech (1-5), which has lost its only league game.

"We've played a very tough schedule so far, with three very good teams," said John Ishee, Southeast's acting head coach who found out Wednesday he will finish out the season in that role. "It should help prepare us well for conference play. That's the plan."

The Redhawks are coming off their only non-competitive performance of the young season, Saturday's 81-47 loss at 12th-ranked Baylor, the 2004-05 NCAA champion and a Sweet 16 participant last year. That was Southeast's first game since a Nov. 21 win against Harris-Stowe, an NAIA team.

Prior to the Baylor game, the Redhawks lost by 13 points both to Florida State and to Tulsa, squads that won first-round NCAA tournament games last year.

"We didn't compete in the first half [at Baylor]. That's the first time all year we haven't competed," Ishee said. "I think we just got a little intimidated, and I think another thing that hurt us was that long layoff, but we played a lot better in the second half.

"If you learn from your experiences, then playing Baylor, Florida State, Tulsa ... I don't think anybody in our league is going to have any three more quality opponents than we have had."

As the Redhawks begin defense of the program's first OVC title, they'll have to avoid looking past a Tennessee State team that failed to win a game last season.

But Ishee doesn't envision that being a problem.

"You can't overlook anybody. When you do, you disrespect the game," Ishee said. "I think we'll be ready to play."

The Tigers appear improved, and they have already won a game. Tennessee State ended a 30-game losing streak by beating Lipscomb 64-52 last week in its most recent outing.

Tennessee State's previous victory had come in the final regular-season game of the 2004-05 campaign. The Tigers were 0-27 last year.

The Tigers have been led so far by sophomore guard Kendra Appling, who is averaging 19.3 points per game.

Meesha Jackson, a 6-foot-4 junior center, is averaging 16 points and 14 rebounds.

"They're better than they have been," Ishee said. "They'll be plenty athletic, and Appling is a handful."

Saturday's opponent, Tennessee Tech, has arguably been Southeast's top rival over the past few years, as the teams have been among the OVC's premier squads.

Last season, the two tied for the OVC regular-season title, but the Redhawks hammered the Eaglettes in the OVC tournament championship game to make their first NCAA Division I tournament appearance.

Both teams are in something of a transition. Southeast lost six key seniors while Tennessee Tech lost conference player of the year Emily Christian and is off to a particularly slow start.

"But I know they'll still be really tough," Ishee said.

As for the chances of Southeast successfully defending its OVC title, Ishee said, "I think if we can stay away from major injury ... as long as we play as hard as we can, I think we can play with anybody in the conference."