SE QB to hit the hardwood

Fresh off becoming the fifth-leading passer in Southeast Missouri State University football history, Bobby Brune will lend a helping hand to the Indians' depleted men's basketball team.

After practicing with the Indians for the first time Wednesday, Brune was added to the squad as a walk-on. He will be in uniform -- and stand a good chance of getting into the game -- when Southeast opens the 2001-2002 season Friday night at home against Birmingham Southern.

A former basketball player at Cape Girardeau Central High School, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has completed his football eligibility at Southeast. He finished his career with 4,124 yards passing.

"Bobby just got done playing football and he hasn't touched a basketball since last year, so he's very rusty," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "But he's a good athlete and he's a tough kid. He'll be able to rebound and block off. No question he'll get some minutes."

While Brune joined the team Wednesday, the Indians did receive something of a blow during practice as walk-on point guard Kevin Roberts suffered a sprained ankle and is doubtful for Friday. Roberts had been Southeast's only available true point guard behind freshman Brett Hale, the current starter.

"Brett's probably going to have to play 40 minutes," Garner said.

The addition of Brune will give the Indians a nine-man roster for Friday, pending Roberts' availability. That includes only six scholarship players.

"We're just going to have to try and get through these tough times and then hopefully they will make us stronger," said Garner, who indicated that he would like to add at least one more walk-on prior to today's practice.

The Indians are currently without five scholarship players, three of them -- Kenny Johnson, Justin Smith and Monte Gordon -- ineligible for the first semester, which covers six games. Derek Winans will return for the next contest after sitting out a one-game suspension for a minor NCAA infraction while Drew DeMond should miss only a game or two with a hand injury.