Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team will honor seniors in final home game

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt emphasized that all of his senior classes have been special.

Nutt's current senior crop might occupy an even more prominent place in his heart because the foursome has helped a floundering program dig out of a deep hole.

"They certainly are a very special group," Nutt said. "They've brought everything they have. They've given me everything I ask. They're all high-character people. They do it the right way on and off the court."

Starters Leon Powell and Marcus Brister, along with reserves Zach House and Logan Nutt, will be recognized before their final home game Wednesday. The Redhawks host 14th-ranked Murray State at 7 p.m. on senior night.

The seniors have helped Southeast reverse the fortunes of a program that was coming off a winless Ohio Valley Conference season and saddled with NCAA probation when Dickey Nutt took over three years ago.

Southeast players, from left, Leon Powell, Zach House and Marcus Brister watch the action from the bench during a game last season. The three seniors will play their final home game Wednesday when Murray State visits the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

Southeast, 14-11 overall and a third-place 9-4 in the 11-team OVC, has clinched the program's first winning conference record since the 2004-05 squad went 9-7.

The Redhawks also are on course for the program's first overall winning record since the 2004-05 unit went 15-14.

"I'm glad the seniors have been able to experience some success," Nutt said. "And I'm very proud to say all four of them already have their [undergraduate] degrees. That's what it's all about."

Powell early recruit

Nutt said any discussion of Southeast's seniors has to start with Powell, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward from St. Louis who was among Nutt's first signees.

Southeast Missouri State senior guard Logan Nutt shoots against SMU earlier this season at the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

Powell, who had been recruited by Southeast's previous coaching staff, had plenty of options coming out of junior college three years ago. He decided to sign with the Redhawks.

"There were a lot of different reasons," said Powell, mentioning the proximity to home, his friendship with then-Southeast player Johnny Hill, his fondness for Nutt and his assistants, and the opportunity to help revive a program. "Location, coach. ... trying to make a difference as well. I knew they weren't doing too good."

Nutt said landing Powell was instrumental in getting the program going.

"The first guy I called was Leon Powell," Nutt said about his initial days after being hired. "He could have gone a lot of places.

"He laid our foundation. We've tried to build our program around him. He's the cornerstone of our team. His character, the type of person he is, the way he conducts himself."

Southeast Missouri State's Leon Powell dunks over Missouri-Kansas City's Kirk Korver during the second half Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Powell's Southeast career got off to a rocky start when he missed the entire 2009-10 season after suffering a knee injury during a pickup game. He received a medical redshirt and did not lose the year of eligibility.

Powell has thrived ever since. He earned second-team all-OVC honors last year when he ranked among the league leaders in scoring (14.1), rebounding (7.7) and blocks (50).

He led the nation in field-goal shooting at 63 percent.

Powell's scoring (11.2) is down some this season due to the presence inside of sophomore forward Tyler Stone, but Powell's overall play has not suffered.

Powell again leads the OVC in field-goal percentage (63.8) while ranking fifth in rebounding (7.0) and second in blocks (34). He is the league's top offensive rebounder (3.6).

Southeast’s Leon Powell drives past Sacramento State defenders during a game last season. Powell has been the cornerstone of a turnaround during his time with the Redhawks. (Southeast Missourian file)

"Leon is having another super year," Nutt said.

For Powell, who expresses pride in earning his degree and hopes to play professionally after his college career ends, it has been gratifying to see the program progress so much with him on board.

"Oh yeah, it's a good feeling," he said.

Brister adjusts

Brister, a 6-4, 215-pound point guard, was one of Southeast's big junior-college recruits before last season. But the flashy, free-wheeling Brister initially struggled as he tried to adapt to the way Nutt wanted things done on the court.

"More than anything, just a different system, a different coach than what I was used to," said Brister, a Dallas native who began his college career at Iowa State, where he played in three games during the 2007-08 season before leaving. "It was frustrating at first, but at the end of the day it was beneficial for me."

Brister came on strong over the final weeks of his rookie season with the Redhawks, averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while leading the team in steals (30) and ranking second in assists (95).

That has carried over into this year. Brister is averaging 8.4 points and 4.5 rebounds to rank fifth and third on the team, respectively. He leads Southeast in assists (94) and is second in steals (18).

Brister is second in the OVC in assists with 4.1 per game and eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio. He also is fifth in field-goal percentage (54.4) as he uses his strength to get to the basket seemingly at will.

"It took some time for Marcus to adjust to how I wanted it done," Nutt said. "Not that I have all the answers, but I am a believer it has to be one way, the head coach's way. Once he understood that, he's been a very good player."

Brister, who like Powell hopes to play professionally, also is proud to have had a hand in getting the program back on its feet.

"It's always a great thing if you can be part of something that was rock bottom," said Brister, among the OVC's top rebounding guards who is considered Southeast's best defender. "We started it last year."

While Brister's play has elevated considerably since he arrived at Southeast, he said his biggest accomplishment has come off the court.

"The most important thing about playing basketball is the degree," he said. "I'm the first one in my family to graduate. I'm proud of that and so are they."

House team player

House, a 7-foot, 255-pound center from Rock Falls, Ill., was Southeast's other big junior-college recruit before last season.

House saw plenty of early action a year ago before having his minutes sliced, and he has played sparingly this season.

But Nutt said House's attitude never has wavered.

"I'm very proud of Zach," Nutt said. "He played much more last year, but he continues to bring everything in practice every day. He always puts the team first."

House started nine games last year. He averaged 1.8 points and 2.6 rebounds while ranking second on the team with 25 blocks.

House has played just 52 minutes and has scored only 14 points this season although he is tied for third on the squad with eight blocks.

"I've had a lot of ups and downs, but I'll never regret my time here," said House, a near-4.0 student who began his college career at Evansville, where he redshirted in 2007-08 and saw limited action in 2008-09. "It's been a real good experience. It's been fun being a part of this team, seeing how far the program has come."

Nutt joins father

Dickey Nutt already had his youngest son, sophomore point guard Lucas, on the team.

Coach Nutt was elated when his oldest son decided to make it a total family affair.

"We're all very close," coach Nutt said. "It's been special."

Logan Nutt, a 5-11, 180-pound point guard from Jonesboro, Ark., played for his father as a freshman walk-on at Arkansas State in 2007-08.

After Dickey Nutt was let go by Arkansas State, Logan played in junior college for a season and then was a walk-on at Mississippi two years ago. He decided to rejoin his dad at Southeast, sitting out last season under NCAA transfer rules before becoming eligible.

"It's truly been a blessing to be able to play for my dad and with my brother," said Logan, who hopes to follow in his father's footsteps and become a coach. "I played for my dad as a freshman at Arkansas State and with my brother in high school, but it's been great to do it my senior year."

Logan, a walk-on, started two games early in the season but has not seen much action lately. He ranks fifth on the team with 26 assists against just 16 turnovers.

"I know my role. That's what's special about this team -- we all know our roles," he said. "We've had a good year. Hopefully we can finish it off right."