Redhawks step into conference play tonight

~ Southeast opens OVC action at home with winless Tennessee State.

Southeast Missouri State coach B.J. Smith thought his team would have a better record through six games.

But Smith and his Redhawks aren't all that concerned about their current 3-3 mark because today they begin what is basically a new season.

The Redhawks welcome Tennessee State (0-4) to the Show Me Center for a 5 p.m. tipoff that opens the Ohio Valley Conference schedule for both squads.

"We're not happy with 3-3, but in all honesty we're not all that disappointed," Smith said. "We can play a lot better, but we sure don't want to play our best basketball in November and December. We want to play our best basketball in February.

"This is the season that really counts, and we want to make sure we keep improving every game."

Southeast is coming off its best Division I season ever, thanks primarily to a sensational OVC showing that did not end until the Redhawks suffered an excruciating double-overtime loss to Eastern Kentucky in the conference tournament championship game.

The Redhawks went 14-2 in the OVC's regular season last year, which netted them second place, then won two games in the league tournament and came tantalizingly close to their first NCAA Division I tournament berth before falling just short against EKU.

With six key seniors back from that team -- led by OVC player of the year Tatiana Conceicao -- Southeast is expected to again challenge for the conference title.

And, the way the schedule is set up, the Redhawks close out this week's two-game homestand on Saturday with a much anticipated matchup against Tennessee Tech -- the OVC favorite that was picked just ahead of Southeast in the preseason poll.

But, said Smith, "I haven't even looked at them [Tennessee Tech] on tape. I've been focused on Tennessee State. You have to get through one before you get to two. We can't afford to look past anybody."

Tennessee State made one of the nation's biggest improvements last season, going from 1-25 overall and 0-16 in OVC play during 2003-2004 to 11-17 and 8-8 in 2004-2005 under first-year coach Tracee Jones.

The Tigers lost all but one starter from a year ago and are struggling so far -- being outscored by an average of nearly 23 points per game -- but Smith said he still expects them to be a tough opponent.

"They haven't started off great, but they've had a tough early schedule, with no home games," Smith said. "Last year, they were much improved. I think they're dangerous and we want to make sure we don't look past them."

Tennessee State, averaging 57.5 points per game and allowing 80 points a contest, features three double-figure scorers in 5-foot-9 senior forward Leslie Dean (11.5 ppg), 5-9 freshman forward Obiageli Okafor (11 ppg) and 5-7 freshman guard Kendra Appling (10.2 ppg).

Southeast continues to be led by Conceicao, the OVC's top scorer at 22.5 points per game.

Senior forwards Simone Jackson (13.5 ppg) and Natalie Purcell (10.2 ppg) also are averaging in double figures, while senior point guard Wanika Owsley leads the league in assists (36) and steals (15).

Although the OVC season is longer this year -- 20 games compared to 16 in the past -- Smith said it's always important to start strong.

"You do want to get off to a good start. You sure don't want to get off to a slow start," he said. "And I've always felt like you've got to win the ones at home, and you've especially got to win the ones you're supposed to win."