SE WEARS FAVORITE TAG WHEN EAGLES CALL

In a span of less than a week, Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team has gone from heavy underdog to heavy favorite.

Coach Gary Garner hopes his squad handles the latter as well as the former.

The Indians opened their season Sunday with an impressive performance during a 62-59 road loss to Big 12 Conference member Colorado.

Friday night, the shoe will be on the other foot for the Indians when they play their second game of the season and their home opener.

This time, NAIA opponent Central Methodist will try to slay the giant when the Eagles visit the Show Me Center for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

Speaking at his weekly media conference Tuesday, Garner said the Indians won't change their approach just because they're playing an NAIA foe instead of a high-profile Big 12 team.

"It doesn't change the thinking," he said. "We have to have three really good days of practice. If you do that, things will take care of themselves."

Garner did say that he will remind the Indians what happened early last season when they faced another NAIA team.

Although Southeast's first-year head coach and his staff weren't around to see it, they know all about the Indians' stunning 72-59 home loss to McKendree in the third game of the season.

"I'll use anything I can to help motivate us. Yes, I'll remind them of that," Garner said with a smile. "When those teams beat you, nearly always it's because you're not mentally ready to play. And not just before the game, it's in preparation during the week. If we prepare well, we'll be fine."

Not that Garner expects Central Methodist to be a pushover. The Eagles have been a solid NAIA program over the years and they're off to a 3-1 start this season, the lone loss being a 103-95 setback against Central Missouri State, a strong Division II squad.

The Eagles, who feature two former area high school players in New Madrid County Central product Shae Tipler and Meridian (Ill.) product Wes Goldsmith, are averaging about 100 points per game in the early going.

"We know this will be a real big game for them," said Garner. "They like to run with the basketball, so we have to get back on defense."

Defense is something the Indians have done well so far, said Garner. Southeast's offense, however, still needs plenty of work.

"We seem to be playing good defense. We only gave up one fast-break basket to Colorado," he said. "Offensively, we're struggling right now. But that's my fault. We just haven't spent enough time on offense. I've always felt you win games early with defense but now we've got to get our offense going better."

Bud Eley and Calvert White, Southeast's two leading scorers last season, combined for just 10 points on four of 21 shooting against Colorado.

"But that's not all their fault," Garner said. "We have to get them better shots."

Of the Colorado game in general, Garner said, "I was happy with our effort. I felt our players played hard and together. I've said many time that if we can do those two things, good things will happen, maybe not that night, but eventually.

"We had a chance to win the game. That's the disappointing thing. But I think the players felt good about themselves. They were disappointed they lost, but they feel we can have a good basketball team."

* Friday's game kicks off the Union Planters Basketball Extravaganza that will include three men's basketball games, a women's basketball game, visits by team members to area grade schools and chances for fans to win prizes, including a new car and $10,000.

Other Indian games featured will be Bradley on Nov. 26 and Oakland City on Nov. 29 while the Otahkian game will be Western Illinois on Nov. 25.

From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Nov. 24, a basketball goal will be set up at West Park Mall and each person who attempts and makes a one-and-one free throw will have their name entered in a drawing for a chance to shoot for a car at halftime of the Oakland City game.

Basketball clinics for both boys and girls will be conducted by the Southeast coaching staff. The girls clinic will be on Nov. 28 while the boys clinic will be on Nov. 29. Both clinics will be held at 9 a.m. at the Show Me Center.

"The support of Union Planters is really important to us," Garner said. "They've got a great week planned."

* Southeast's game with Truman State has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18. It was originally scheduled for Dec. 22.