Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team will have two transfers end long hiatuses

~ Michael Porter and Tyler Stone both had to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules

Sophomores Michael Porter and Tyler Stone are looking forward to the upcoming Southeast Missouri State men's basketball season as much as any of the Redhawks players.

The two forwards will be taking the court in an official game for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

"I know we're both ready to get out there," Porter said.

Porter and Stone both are touted transfers who finally are eligible after sitting out last season under NCAA transfer rules. Porter came to Southeast from Missouri State, while Stone began his college career at the University of Missouri.

"The good thing is that they were here last year and able to practice with us, and they'll both have three years with us," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "We're very excited to have them. We feel like they'll be impact players and they'll be a big part of our program for several years."

Porter is eager to get back on the court because he actually hasn't appeared in a game in nearly two years, since early during the 2009-10 season.

Porter averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in six games as a freshman at Missouri State before missing the rest of the campaign due to various injuries. He scored a team-high 16 points in a contest at Arkansas-Little Rock.

"I'm definitely ready," Porter said. "I feel like I haven't played since high school."

Porter, a four-year standout at Sikeston High School, said it was beneficial sitting out last year while he got to know his new teammates and Nutt's system.

"I've seen everything from the sideline. Now it's just a matter of applying it on the court," Porter said.

Nutt said Porter, a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, will bring plenty of energy and enthusiasm to the Redhawks.

"Michael is such an unselfish player who has a great attitude and work ethic," said Nutt, whose squad hosts Harding in its lone exhibition game Nov. 7 and opens the season Nov. 11 at Missouri. "He plays with an incredible passion and has a motor that won't quit."

Porter said toughness and consistency are two of his primary attributes.

"As long as we win, that's really all that matters," Porter said.

Porter said he thinks the Redhawks can make a turnaround this season.

"I definitely think we can go a long way," he said. "It's going to take some time to get used to playing with each other, but by the end of the season I think we'll be one of the top teams in the OVC."

Porter also should help put plenty of fans in the stands. He has a big following from his high school days and lots of relatives in the area.

"That's going to be good," he said. "We need support from everyone around."

Stone hasn't been away from game competition quite as long as Porter, but it's still been a while. The 6-8, 230-pound Stone scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in limited action as a freshman at Missouri in 2009-10.

"It was tough last year, but it was well worth it," said Stone, a native of Memphis, Tenn. "Getting acquainted with the system, getting to know all the players. ... It was a good deal sitting out, but I'm ready."

The high-flying Stone is among Southeast's top athletes. Nutt said only half-jokingly that Stone "tries to dunk everything. Tyler might be the most athletic big guy we have. He has the ability to score in bunches."

While Stone is a natural power forward -- Southeast is stocked at that position -- Nutt has been trying him some at small forward.

Stone acknowledges he's better playing close to the basket but doesn't think he will be playing out of position.

"With the system we have spots don't really matter that much," Stones said. "I'm kind of comfortable doing either."

Stone, like Porter, sees good things in the Redhawks' future as Nutt's rebuilding project continues to take shape.

"We've got a lot of talent. We're ready to turn this thing around," said Stone, who scored 16 points and dunked three times in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. "I'm ready to see this thing take off."

The Redhawks even have a third transfer who sat out a year ago.

Senior Logan Nutt, the coach's oldest son, is a walk-on point guard who came to Southeast from Mississippi, where he played sparingly as a walk-on two years ago before suffering back problems.

Logan Nutt will provide depth in the backcourt as he plays with his younger brother Lucas, Southeast's sophomore starting point guard.

"Logan brings us a lot of toughness and experience," his father said.