Southeast men to hold public scrimmage Wednesday night

Southeast Missouri State basketball fans will have an opportunity to get an early glimpse of the men's team Wednesday when the Redhawks hold a 6:30 p.m. game-type scrimmage at the Show Me Center.

It will be part of "Pick Your Seat Night" as all seats available for season tickets will be marked for sale. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and there is no admission charge.

The Redhawks actually had their first scrimmage with officials Sunday, although it had not been publicized and only a smattering of fans attended.

"I was pleased," Southeast first-year coach Scott Edgar said. "I saw a lot of good things and things that weren't good but are definitely fixable.

"I'm looking forward to Wednesday's scrimmage. Hopefully we'll have quite a few fans come out and watch us."

Said junior point guard Paul Paradoski, one of two returning starters for the Redhawks, "I thought we had a pretty good scrimmage Sunday and hopefully we'll have another one. It would be nice if a lot of fans came out. It should be a good experience."

Edgar said that, while Sunday's scrimmage showed him the Redhawks have plenty of potential, it also showed him they have a long way to go --which he expects.

But none other than former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson gave Edgar's first Southeast squad a vote of confidence.

Richardson and Edgar have had a close relationship dating back to 1980, as Edgar served as an assistant coach under Richardson for more than a decade at Arkansas and Tulsa.

Richardson recently spent a few days visiting Edgar in Cape Girardeau. He attended several practices and was at Sunday's scrimmage.

"He said we have a chance to have a good basketball team," Edgar said.

Johnson glad he's back

David Johnson got off to a good start last year after transferring in from junior college, averaging 9.7 points over his first three games, including a 16-point performance at South Dakota State.

But those three games were the only ones Johnson played in as the 6-foot-4 guard missed the remainder of the campaign because of hernia surgery.

Johnson, who was granted a medical hardship and still has two years of eligibility remaining, says he's happy to be back.

"Frustrating wasn't the word for it," Johnson said, smiling. "But sitting and watching, I think it actually helped me. Now I'm ready and can't wait for the season."

Count the athletic Johnson among the many Redhawks who are enamored with Edgar's up-tempo style that he has dubbed "Fast and Furious."

"I love it," Johnson said.

Noteworthy

• Senior center Tyrell White injured his left foot during Southeast's first practice on Oct. 13 and will be sidelined until at least the Nov. 10 regular-season opener at Arkansas.

* The Redhawks will play in two nationally televised games, both on ESPNU, which is not available on local cable. The TV contests are Feb. 10 against Eastern Kentucky and Feb. 13 at Eastern Illinois.