Southeast Missouri State awards Nutt with one-year extension

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt appreciates the vote of confidence he has received.

It was announced Friday that Nutt signed a one-year contract extension. He now is signed through the 2013-14 season, which would mark his fifth at Southeast.

"I am very grateful," Nutt said. "I want to thank Mr. [John] Shafer, Dr. [Ken] Dobbins, the Board of Regents for having confidence in me and the progress we're making."

Southeast director of athletics John Shafer said in a statement: "We felt that Dickey has made great strides with the men's basketball program at Southeast Missouri."

Nutt led Southeast to 17 wins in his first two seasons after he inherited a program saddled with NCAA probation and coming off a 3-27 campaign in 2008-09.

Nutt led the Redhawks to the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament this season, their first OVC tournament appearance since 2006-07. They finished 10-22.

"Our record doesn't show the improvement we've made," said Nutt, whose 2010-11 squad battled injury and illness to key players. "We had some good moments. Making the tournament and winning a game was huge."

Nutt emphasized that he is not satisfied with seven and 10 wins in his first two years, but he believes the program is headed in the right direction.

Nutt expects more improvement next season. The Redhawks return most of their key players and welcome several talented roster additions.

"I'm probably the most impatient guy in the world. That's certainly not up to my expectations," Nutt said about the victory total. "But I do feel like we are making progress. I'm seeing young people develop and our recruiting has been good."

Southeast said the terms on the one-year extension are the same as the original contract, which pays Nutt $120,000 annually.

Five players graduate

Five of Nutt's current or former players graduated Saturday: Anthony Allison, Cameron Butler, Logan Nutt, Leon Powell and LaMont Russell.

Allison and Butler were seniors on this season's team. Logan Nutt, the coach's son, practiced with the squad but was not eligible to play in games under transfer rules. He will be a senior in 2011-12.

Powell was a junior this season while Russell completed his eligibility on Nutt's first Southeast club in 2009-10.

"I'm very proud of them. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about," Nutt said. "I don't know that I've ever had five graduate at one time. It's tremendous."

Powell ranked first

Powell, a junior forward, officially was declared the 2010-2011 NCAA Division I field-goal percentage champion.

Powell, who earned second-team all-OVC honors, shot 63 percent. He also led the Redhawks in points (14.1 ppg), rebounds (7.7 rpg) and blocks (50).

"To lead the nation is a great accomplishment for Leon," coach Nutt said.

Nutt likes Belmont

Friday's announcement that Belmont will join the OVC in 2012-13 boosts the league's profile in men's basketball, coach Nutt said.

Belmont has made the NCAA tournament four of the past six years.

"They have certainly been a good basketball program. I think they're a great addition to our league," Nutt said. "You want to make your league as strong as possible and this helps."