Surprising Skyhawks fly in with 9-4 record

Tennessee-Martin enters 2-0 in OVC play despite being picked to finish eighth in preseason poll.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

University of Tennessee-Martin basketball coach Bret Campbell doesn't blame people for thinking the Skyhawks would be one of the Ohio Valley Conference's worst teams this year.

The Skyhawks were picked to finish eighth in the nine-team OVC after losing most of their key players from last season's squad that went 15-14 for the program's first winning record since moving up to Division I in 1992-93.

"We should have been picked at the bottom," Campbell said. "When you lose what we lost, four starters and 75 percent of our scoring, I wouldn't expect people to think we'd be any good."

But Campbell had high hopes that the Skyhawks would turn out to be solid -- and he was apparently right.

The Skyhawks (9-4, 2-0 OVC) have been one of the league's early surprise teams entering tonight's game against Southeast Missouri State University (6-8, 1-2) at the Show Me Center.

"I thought we were going to be pretty good this year because it's the best chemistry we've had as a team since I've been here," said Campbell, in his fourth season at UTM. "We knew we were going to have to have some people step up this year, and we knew we had to recruit two or three starters. Fortunately they've come through for us."

UTM has benefited from strong play from several newcomers and returning players to win nine of its first 13 games overall and its opening two OVC contests. No victory was more impressive than a stunning season-opening triumph at St. Louis University.

"Beating St. Louis, it gave us a lot of confidence, not only the players but the coaching staff," Campbell said.

Earl Bullock, a 6-foot-1 junior-college transfer guard, is UTM's leading scorer as he ranks third in the OVC with 17.2 points per game. Bullock is the Skyhawks' top 3-pointer shooter, hitting 36.4 percent.

Also scoring in double figures are 6-5 senior forward Joey Walker (15.0 ppg), UTM's lone returning starter from last season, and 6-6 juco transfer forward J.C. Howe (13.5 ppg). Walker, who averaged just eight points per game a year ago, is third in the OVC in rebounding with 8.4 a contest.

The Skyhawks have also received solid help from three returning players: 6-5 senior swingman Okechi Egbe (9.4 ppg), 6-4 sophomore point guard Jeremy Kelly (9.3 ppg) and 6-9 junior forward Kenan Asceric (8.9 ppg), who missed most of last year with an injury.

"I don't know if surprise is the right word for Bullock and Howe, but any time two guys like that put up the numbers they have, it's been nice," Campbell said. "Walker went from probably our fourth and fifth option to maybe our first option. He's doing a real good job. And Kelly is doing a good job in his first year as our point guard."

Southeast coach Gary Garner has certainly taken notice of the Skyhawks' fast start.

"On tape, it looks like the best Tennessee-Martin team in the six years I've been in the league," Garner said. "They're very athletic and they really get after you defensively. Bullock and Howe are very good players and Walker and Kelly have really improved.

"I'd say they're the surprise of the league. They have a lot of new players and you have to give Bret a lot of credit for getting those guys together."

The Skyhawks use their quickness to lead the OVC in steals with 11.2 per game and turnover margin with plus 4.1 as they force an average of 20 turnovers per contest.

"One of the keys to the game will be our ability to handle their man-to-man pressure," Garner said. "We're going to have to play really well."

Considering all the injury problems the Indians are facing -- several key players either won't play or will see limited action -- Garner knows Southeast will have its work cut out tonight.

But Campbell said UTM is in no position to be overconfident. After all, the Skyhawks have never beaten Southeast on its home floor since they joined the OVC in 1992-93, losing all 11 meetings at the Show Me Center.

"We've never won over there so I don't know why we would think it's going to be an easy game," Campbell said. "Southeast Missouri is very well coached and they shoot the ball extremely well. I think it's going to be a very tough game."