Southeast basketball will be on exhibition

After two weeks of practice -- and plenty of turmoil -- the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team will take the court for a game tonight.

Although the 7 p.m. exhibition opener against Missouri Baptist at the Show Me Center won't count on the Redhawks' record, it figures to be a nice change of pace for them.

"We're looking forward to it," Southeast acting coach Zac Roman said. "We've been practicing hard, and I think we're ready for a game to see where we're at."

It has not been an easy last few weeks for the Redhawks.

Roman, a second-year Southeast assistant, was named acting coach Oct. 16, one week after third-year coach Scott Edgar was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an NCAA hearing on alleged rules violations.

Junior forward Calvin Williams was suspended from all basketball-related activities one week ago following his arrest on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license and driving without proper headlights.

The 6-foot-9 Williams, the Redhawks' tallest player and among their top players, remains suspended while university officials continue their investigation of the situation.

"It's been a challenging time for everybody," Roman said.

Without Williams, the Redhawks only will have nine available scholarship players tonight, including four newcomers.

"Everybody will get a chance to play. We'll start looking at chemistry, who plays with who," Roman said. "Hopefully we'll learn a few things about some of the new guys."

Tonight's projected starters are 6-5 senior Jaycen Herring, 6-6 sophomore Jajuan Maxwell and 6-6 junior Lamont Russell up front, with 6-0 senior Kenard Moore and 5-10 junior Bijon Jones in the backcourt.

Herring was Southeast's top scorer last year, averaging 13.1 points per game, while Moore was third at 10.4.

Maxwell missed last season with a knee injury after averaging 5.1 points as a freshman.

Russell and Jones are junior college transfers.

Also returning from last season are 6-4 juniors Jimmy Drew (4.2 ppg) and Johnny Hill (1.7 ppg).

Drew, who missed some time last year with a foot injury, recently has been bothered by a similar ailment that could limit his availability tonight.

Other scholarship players are 6-7 junior college transfer Israel Kirk and 6-8 freshman Stuart Pirri.

Jones is the only true point guard Southeast will have available this year since projected starter Hank Harris is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon during a pickup game before practice started.

Roman said he has been pleased with Jones, but added that Jones is doubtful to shoulder the entire load at the point this season. Herring and Drew also likely will see some action there.

"Bijon has been doing a good job," Roman said. "He's a pass-first point guard."

Missouri Baptist, an NAIA program from suburban St. Louis, went 6-25 last season. Southeast went 12-19 after losing 14 of its last 15 games.

The Redhawks' second and final exhibition tuneup will be Nov. 8 when Division III MacMurray College from Jacksonville, Ill., visits.

Southeast opens the season Nov. 14 at New Mexico.