SE CHANGES FACES AFTER MEMORABLE SEASON

Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner believes the Indians will have more talent than they had last season, which is certainly a big statement.

That's because Garner's second Southeast team a year ago had the school's best-ever Division I season, going 20-9, finishing second in the Ohio Valley Conference and coming within seconds of gaining its first NCAA Division I Tournament berth.

But Garner is quick to point out that talent doesn't always translate into performance. The Indians will have to mix in eight new players with four returning scholarship performers and Garner believes how well that process goes will be the key."Having so many new players is always a concern," said Garner. "Last season, four of our starters had all been in the system the year before, which makes such a big difference."That being said, Garner is confident that the Indians will end up being an extremely solid team."We've got eight new players, so it might take us a while to get going," said Garner. "But we'll be more athletic, we'll have more depth, and I really like the attitude of this team."At the end of the year, we could be better (than last season). I feel really good about this team."Surpassing last year's performance certainly won't be easy. In addition to having their best Division I season, the Indians also recorded the second-highest number of wins ever for an OVC team as they went 15-3.

And the Indians very nearly advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time, losing in the OVC Tournament championship game on a buzzer-beating shot by Murray State."Our goal last year was to make the NCAA Tournament, and we fell five seconds short," Garner said. "Our goal again this year is to make the NCAA Tournament."The Indians suffered some key losses as center Bud Eley, the OVC Player of the Year; point guard Kahn Cotton, who hit the late shot that very nearly sent Southeast to the NCAA tourney; and premier shooting guard Cory Johnson all used up their eligibility.

Although Garner realizes that trio will be sorely missed particularly Eley, who was by far the OVC's dominant big man he believes the Indians have the talent to make up for those losses.

Garner said he will be counting heavily on the leadership abilities of the team's only three seniors: 6-foot-6 forward Roderick Johnson, 6-6 forward Mike Branson and 6-8 center/forward Brian Bunche.

Johnson is the team's top returning scorer and rebounder after averaging 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in earning OVC all-newcomer honors last year, when he shot 57 percent from the field.

Branson averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds and had a big OVC Tournament with 50 points in three games to earn all-tourney honors.

The extremely physical Bunche was a key backup behind Eley, averaging 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds."Our three seniors are the ones we have to depend on to lead us on and off the court," said Garner. "Senior leadership is very important. I look for those three to have very good seasons."The only other returning scholarship player from last year, sophomore backup point guard Fred Abraham, is academically ineligible for the first semester.

While Garner will be counting heavily on his three seniors, he'll also be depending greatly on Southeast's newcomers, led by five highly-touted junior-college transfers who all will either start or see extended playing time.

Michael Stokes, a 6-foot point guard from Trinity Valley (Texas), made the all-tourney team at the junior-college national tournament. Garner said Stokes, who averaged 17 points and six assists last year, might be the quickest player he's ever coached.

Antonio Short, a 6-2 shooting guard from Moberly (Mo.), averaged nearly 20 points to earn second-team juco All-American honors. Garner labels him a pure scorer and physically strong.

Amory Sanders, a 6-1 shooting guard from Three Rivers in Poplar Bluff, averaged 15 points per game to earn all-region honors. Garner said he might be as good a shooter as Cory Johnson, which is saying something.

Nyah Jones, a 6-11 center from Meridian (Miss.), did not have big juco numbers, but he originally signed with Missouri and Garner said he should give the Indians solid inside scoring.

Emmanuel McCuthison, a high-flying 6-4 swingman from Lincoln Trail (Ill.), averaged 15 points and eight rebounds. While not heavily recruited, Garner said McCuthison has been a big surprise and will contribute heavily.

Another first-year player is Drew Demond, a 6-7 forward who was redshirted last year after suffering an achilles injury during his senior year of high school. Garner said he will help out.

Also returning are a pair of walkon guards, Matt Morris and Ryan Thomas. Morris is one of the squad's top shooters.

Garner is also high on his two true freshmen, Tim Scheer of New Haven (Mo.) and Demarcus Hence of Memphis (Tenn.), a pair of 6-6 forwards.