Revamped SEMO MBB roster should be improved defensively

At the end of the day, it is difficult to find fault with the 2022-23 edition of the Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball season. After all, it was an historic year that culminated in the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship, and the subsequent berth into the NCAA Tournament.

But…

But in reality, the Redhawks left a lot to be desired on the court – from a defensive perspective – and that should change for the better with the altered 2023-24 roster, according to fourth-year coach Brad Korn.

“We’re going to be way longer and way more athletic than we were a year ago,” Korn said recently. “What does that translate to? I don’t know, but it should translate to more disruption defensively and should translate into better rebounding.”

Within OVC play last season, SEMO ranked dead last in scoring defense, ninth (out of 10 teams) in field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense, and seventh in rebounding margin.

“Those two areas,” Korn said of defensive pressure and rebounding, “if we improve on those alone, to go along with our offensive scheme system, those are hopefully the reasons we can keep this thing going.”

The Redhawks have added eight players into the 2023-24 rotation that weren’t a part of it last season, and several of those players should make a positive impact, particularly at the defensive end of the floor.

Korn signed Murray State transfer Braxton Stacker (6-foot-5, guard), as well as freshman Marqueas Bell (6-foot-3, guard) and junior college transfer TJ Biel (6-foot-7), while returning Gavyn Elkamil (6-foot-5, guard), who sat out most of last season with an injury, and junior guard Dylan Branson (6-foot-5).

“Braxton brings a crazy level of athleticism,” Korn said. “He is an elite defender. He is a big-time, big-time athlete.”

A key returnee, according to Korn, is junior guard Aquan Smart.

“You throw Aquan out there,” Korn said, “he has length and speed.”

Smart started 25 of the 32 games in which he played a year ago and averaged over 24 minutes per game.

Another key returning player, from a defensive standpoint, is junior forward Kobe Clark, who was very impactful defensively until suffering a season-ending knee injury after 19 games.

The Vashon High School grad was averaging nearly nine rebounds per game when he got hurt.

“Kobe has more of that physical toughness,” Korn said in comparing Clark and Stacker athletically. “Braxton is probably the best athlete on the team. He can get off the ground.

“But especially with Kobe and the knee injury, we’ll see where his progression is.”

If Clark can return to health, Korn can roll out senior center Josh Earley, who is physically strong and tough on the block, Clark, Stacker, Smart, and an array of other athletes, who can pressure the ball on the perimeter.

Community invite

The Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball program will be hosting its annual Block Party at Arena Park on July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is free to attend and will include food, games, activities, and lots of “face time” with the Redhawk student-athletes and coaches.

Canned food donations will be accepted and delivered to local food banks.