Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team will scrimmage Saturday

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team doesn't play against outside competition until Oct. 30, when the Redhawks host Ouachita Baptist in the first of two exhibition games.

But the Redhawks will get a chance to experience some game-like conditions Saturday when they hold an intrasquad scrimmage open to the public. There is no admission charge.

Action will begin at the Show Me Center approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Southeast's homecoming football game that starts at 1 p.m.

"We're looking forward to getting on the floor and competing and we encourage all our fans to come out and watch," fourth-year Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said Thursday during the Redhawks' media day. "I don't know if we're ready to a play a full game, but we'll see how it goes."

Senior guard Marland Smith said Saturday's scrimmage will be a nice change of pace for the Redhawks, who began official practice Oct. 12.

"We always look forward to getting an actual game feeling," Smith said. "Get the referees out there, it gives you a different feeling than just scrimmaging in practice."

The Redhawks tip off the season Nov. 9 at Kansas, last year's national runner-up. The home opener is Nov. 12 against Lyon College.

"I think practice is going good, but we still have a long way to go," Smith said.

Porter ailing

Junior forward Michael Porter continues to be plagued by a hip problem that has bothered him quite a bit in recent years.

Porter has been limited during Southeast's early practices, and Nutt fears he won't be at full strength the entire season.

Porter came on strong toward the end of last season, finishing with averages of 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

"He's playing with a lot of pain," Nutt said. "He brings a lot to the table even if he's not 100 percent."

The Redhawks lack inside depth behind anticipated starters junior Tyler Stone and sophomore Nino Johnson, especially if Porter is limited.

Porter's health problems could mean additional playing time for redshirt freshman forward Jacob Tolbert, a former Notre Dame Regional High School standout who joined the program as a walk-on after Christmas last year and practiced with the squad.

"I think Jacob can help us," Nutt said. "He'll get minutes."

National TV

Southeast will make at least one appearance on national TV this season as part of the Ohio Valley Conference's ESPN television package.

The Redhawks' Jan. 5 home game against defending OVC champion Murray State will air on ESPNU. It's the first of seven regular-season contests and three OVC tournament games that will air on one of the ESPN formats.

Southeast's March 2 game at Murray State is among six contests that will be in the running to be selected for the league's "Wild Card" telecast that day.