Terrick's time: Redhawks ask Willoughby to take on bigger role

Southeast Missouri State coach Gary Garner expects Terrick Willoughby to have a breakout season this year.

Willoughby, the Redhawks' junior guard, is not normally one to sound his own horn -- but he would like to believe that Garner is right.

"Breakout year ..." pondered Willoughby during the Redhawks' media day Tuesday at the Show Me Center. "Well, I guess I've been working so hard on my game, and he sees that, so he feels that way.

"I feel like I've gotten better the past two years, and I feel like I'll keep getting better. Hopefully, I will have a breakout year."

The 6-foot-4 Willoughby certainly showed glimpses last season that his game is about to take off.

After averaging 3.3 points while starting 11 games as a true freshman two years ago, Willoughby bumped up his scoring average to 9.8 points last season, and he ranked second in the Ohio Valley Conference in 3-point shooting at 43 percent.

Willoughby came on especially strong in league play a year ago to average 12.1 points per game. And during one seven-game stretch, he averaged about 19 points.

"Terrick only averaged a couple of points as a freshman, then he averaged almost 10 points last year, and he really came on the last part of the season," said Garner, whose squad hosts Missouri-St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. Friday in its exhibition opener. "I really think he is going to have a big year."

There is no question the Redhawks will likely need Willoughby -- Southeast's leading returning scorer -- to continue his increased production in order to help make up for the loss of Dainmon Gonner and Reggie Golson, who combined to average about 37 points per game.

"I know I'll have to pick up some of the slack, me and Roy," said Willoughby, referring to Montana transfer Roy Booker, a senior guard. "But I don't think scoring is going to be a problem for us. The key for us this year will be if we can get down and defend."

Garner no doubt likes hearing that kind of talk, because he has been trying to get the Redhawks to buy into a defensive-minded philosophy.

Throughout his coaching career, Garner has preached defense, and when the Redhawks had their best two teams under Garner -- in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 -- they led the OVC in both scoring defense and field-goal percentage defense.

But the Redhawks -- despite averaging more points per game the last several years than they did during their NCAA Tournament season of 1999-2000 -- have been subpar defensively in recent times, which helped lead to some down years.

Although they lack experience, the Redhawks are more athletic than they've been in some time -- which Willoughby believes will translate into a better defensive showing.

"Defense is a big focus this year. If we're a really good defensive team, we're going to have a chance to win the conference," Willoughby said. "With more athletes, I think we can rush to the ball like we haven't done in the past. Being a lot more athletic, we'll be able to do a lot of different things that we haven't been able to do in the past."

Willoughby is not only the Redhawks' top returning scorer, he is also by far their most experienced player as far as service in the program goes.

Sophomore point guard Paul Paradoski is the only other returning starter, while senior centers Waylon Francis and Ketshner Guerrier -- two former junior college transfers -- are the only other returning players, although Booker practiced last year after his transfer.

While acknowledging that he is not a natural vocal leader, the personable Willoughby knows he will be looked on to fill a leadership role.

"Coach has talked to me about that," Willoughby said. "I try to lead more by my actions, but I'll do whatever I can to help the team."

Although Southeast is predicted to finish low in the OVC after last year's 15-14 season that featured a 9-7 league mark, Willoughby believes there is sufficient talent -- including five junior college transfers and a freshman -- for the Redhawks to be a surprise.

"The guys coming back have all improved, Roy is really going to help us, and we've got some really good athletes in the new players," Willoughby said. "I think we also have some great chemistry this year. People were around over the summer, and we really connected.

"I really like our team. I think we can do well."

A breakout season from Willoughby sure wouldn't hurt.