Southeast's Roberts passes on turnovers

Kevin Roberts is an unheralded walk-on -- but it's doubtful that any player across the country is performing more efficiently these days than Southeast Missouri State University's sophomore point guard.

Heading into tonight's Ohio Valley Conference game against Tennessee State at the Show Me Center, Roberts is on the type of streak that most point guards dream about but rarely -- if ever -- attain.

In his last three games, Roberts has dished out 28 assists while being charged with just one turnover.

"That might be some kind of record," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "They don't keep that kind of statistic for just a few games, but that is an awesome statistic."

Said a smiling Roberts, "This is the best I've played in a long time. I'm really comfortable running the team, knowing when to get people the ball in the right spot. I've gotten a little confidence now, more experience, knowing what I can do. I think I've matured a little bit."

And it's not like the 6-foot-3 Roberts has only been playing well recently. He's been solid as a rock virtually the entire season, his 92 assists and 28 turnovers making him the runaway OVC leader in assist-to-turnover ratio. And he's second in OVC assists, his 5.41 per-game average putting him on the heels of leader Marquis Sykes of Morehead State, who is at 5.61.

"I would love to be first in assists," Roberts said. "But I take a lot of pride in the assist-to-turnover ratio. All point guards should take pride in that. Some people can score, some people can jump. I don't turn it over, that's my role."

That Roberts has accomplished it all as a walk-on makes his story even more special.

After a solid high school career at perennial state power DeSmet in St. Louis County, Roberts was recruited by several Division II schools but received no Division I scholarship offers, although Southeast did pursue Roberts as a walk-on.

Never lacking on confidence, Roberts said his college decision was easy.

"I knew I could play at this level, no doubt," he said. "When coach Garner wanted me to walk on, I wanted to do it.

"It's been real satisfying, coming in as a walk-on. Nobody expected me to do anything, just be a practice player. That's how it's been my whole career. People always underestimate me. I've always been too skinny, couldn't jump high enough."

What Roberts, who is not exceptionally quick but far from slow, lacks in raw physical ability he more than makes up for with his knowledge of the game, Garner said.

"He just understands the game so well," Garner said. "He is really a smart player."

You'll get no argument from Roberts about that.

"I know the game forwards and backwards," he said. "I know I am the smartest player on the floor."

The personable, good-natured Roberts grinned after making that last comment.

"You have to have confidence. I'm confident that I can play with anybody in the conference," he said.

Roberts also had a solid season last year as a true freshman, earning early playing time while Kenny Johnson was ineligible and then playing plenty late after Johnson's performance was disappointing.

Roberts, who played in 23 games last season and made two starts, recorded 41 assists and 21 turnovers. In OVC games only, he led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

"I got a chance to play last year and I wanted to make the most of it," Roberts said.

He did, and that helped build up to his performance this year, although Roberts began the season as the Indians' backup point guard to leading scorer Derek Winans, last year's OVC Freshman of the Year who was moved to the point from his normal off-guard spot.

"We knew Kevin was a good point guard but we went into the season thinking we needed more firepower," Garner said.

Garner still believes that, but Roberts' play in running the team has simply been too good to keep him out of the lineup. Several weeks ago Winans -- who performed well at the point and is third in the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio and seventh in assists -- was moved back to off-guard pretty much full time, although he does play the point when Roberts either needs a breather or is in foul trouble.

"Kevin is just playing lights out," Garner said.

In addition to his gaudy assist total, Roberts has also been solid defensively with a team-high 22 steals.

"He's playing well on both ends of the floor," Garner said. "He's getting his hands on a lot of balls."

About the only part of his game Roberts seemingly struggles with is offense. He has attempted just 19 shots all season, making only five, and he is averaging just 1.6 points per game.

While he knows he'll never be an offensive force, Roberts has been a bit more assertive offensively in recent outings and has scored nine points in the past two games. And Roberts insists he is a capable shooter, no matter what Southeast fans might think.

"I need to keep the defense honest a little bit. If I can take two, three shots a game, that's about right," he said, then added with a laugh, "I can shoot the ball, no doubt. But I know some people are better shooters than me and it's my job to get them the ball."

Mission accomplished in that area.