SE WAITS FOR A DANCE PARTNER

What a difference a year has made for Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team.

One year ago at this time, the Indians were feeling the effects of a buzzer-beater loss to Murray State in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Now, a year later, the Indians are basking in the glory of their first NCAA Tournament berth on the Division I level, thanks to Sunday's 67-56 win over Murray State in the OVC tourney finals in Nashville, Tenn.

"Last (Sunday) night, coming home on the bus, my wife and I were sitting together and we commented about what a sick feeling we had at about this time last year," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "This sure is a lot different feeling, and it's definitely a lot better."

By late Monday morning, less than 24 hours after the Indians had secured the OVC Tournament crown, Garner said the magnitude of what his team accomplished had not yet quite sunk in.

"I don't think it's sunk in all the way," Garner said. "I know it will eventually, but we have to realize that the season's not over yet.

"Making the NCAA playoffs is a great accomplishment, but we want to keep doing what's gotten us this far, and that's taking it one game at a time. Who knows what can happen (in the NCAA Tournament)."

Garner spent much of the early part of Monday answering telephone calls from well wishers.

"I've had a few calls," he said with a laugh.

In addition to Sunday's championship game being televised nationally by ESPN, the Indians received plenty of more national air time on ESPN's SportsCenter Sunday evening and then even more during the program's numerous reruns Monday morning.

ESPN Radio, which airs locally and across the country, also made numerous mentions Sunday evening and Monday to the Indians' first-ever berth in the NCAA Division I tourney.

"That kind of recognition for our program is invaluable," said Garner. "It's also great recognition for our entire university."

Southeast will now have quite a bit of time before its next game as the first rounds of the NCAA tourney are March 16-17. The entire 64-team bracket will be revealed Sunday on national television. Until then, the Indians have no idea who, when or where they will play.

Not that it matters. Said a chuckling Garner, "We'll be ready to go anywhere they send us."

Garner gave the Indians Monday and today off. They will resume practice Wednesday.

"It's a little different than the normal practice routine during the season, not knowing who we're going to play," Garner said. "But we'll use the time to work on things we need to work on, things that will make us a better basketball team.

"Once we find out who we play (Sunday), we can start working on our opponent."

Garner had very few complaints about the way the Indians played over the weekend. First, they totally dismantled Middle Tennessee 78-60 in Saturday's semifinals. Then they overcame a shaky start to beat Murray State by 11 in Sunday's finals.

"Both games, we played very well offensively and defensively," said Garner. "Against Middle Tennessee, we came out from the opening buzzer and dominated the game.

"Against Murray State, we got off to a slow start, which may have made the win ever sweeter. We clawed our way back in it, and when Antonio Short hit that shot at the end of the first half, I really felt we'd win."

Short's long 3-pointer with three seconds left in the first half Sunday gave the Indians a 30-29 halftime lead after they had fallen behind by 12 points early in the game.

Murray State was able to take two brief leads in the second half, but Southeast controlled much of the final 20 minutes and the Indians hit 10 of 12 free throws in the last minute to pull away.

"Defensively, we had a tremendous performance," Garner said. "We really challenged every shot. I'm sure (Aubrey) Reese had a bad game, but we really challenged every shot of his."

Reese, the OVC's Player of the Year, hit just one of 18 shots and scored only three points as he was harassed by Michael Stokes and others the entire contest.

Now, after a couple of days off, the Indians will begin practicing again in anticipation of their appearance in what most people refer to as the `Big Dance.'

It's certainly a far cry from last year at this time.

"I like this a lot better," repeated Garner. "It's great to still be playing basketball at this time of the year."

* A couple of weeks ago, Garner was mentioned as a potential candidate for the Kansas State coaching position that is likely to open up soon.

And by late Sunday, Garner's name was already being thrown about as a potential candidate for the Wichita State post following the resignation of Randy Smithson earlier in the day.

Garner, as he did when recently asked about the Kansas State job, emphasized again how happy he is at Southeast.

But common sense says that Garner would be foolish to not at least listen to what Kansas State or Wichita State have to say if they do become interested in Southeast's coach.