THE LATEST LINE: INDIANS COULD NEED CROWD'S HELP TO FINALLY BEAT SALUKIS

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team is no doubt reeling a bit after Wednesday's 83-77 loss at Mississippi Valley State.

It was definitely a disappointing defeat for the Indians, who were probably favored to win the game and no doubt expected to. But the road is always tough and the Delta Devils simply played better and with more emotion.

The Indians, however, can atone for that setback -- which dropped them to 4-2 -- Tuesday night when regional rival Southern Illinois comes to the Show Me Center. A win in that game would definitely more than make up for Wednesday's loss.

But beating the Salukis, who very well could have their best team in years, definitely will be a major challenge. And it's doubtful that the Indians can do it alone. They're sure to need a packed and extremely loud house in order to pull off what would certainly be an upset, because SIU figures to be solid favorites.

If you're a die-hard SEMO hoop fan, then you're no doubt longing for the day when the Indians can finally claim another victory over SIU. It hasn't happened since the 1982-83 season, when the then-Division II Indians stunned the Division I Salukis.

After that setback, an embarrassed SIU dropped SEMO from its schedule. The longtime series -- SIU has an overall 62-42 edge -- resumed in 1993-94 and the Salukis have won all seven meetings since.

And what's no doubt frustrating for SEMO fans is that most of those seven SIU victories have been extremely lopsided. To be sure, Indian coach Gary Garner is frustrated about the situation. During his previous three seasons at SEMO, SIU has routed the Indians by 19, 21 and 11 points.

During the Indians' three games against the Salukis with Garner as their coach, SEMO has for the most part played poorly and SIU has for the most part played well. That pretty much sums up the one-sided recent nature of the series, because in talent level the teams haven't been all that far apart.

SEMO's last three games with SIU have all been played away from the Show Me Center, with two in Carbondale and one at the TWA Dome in St. Louis. Garner has longed for the day when he finally gets a crack at the Salukis on his turf.

Well, Tuesday that day will be here. But beating the Salukis just might be tougher than ever this year. They're off to a 3-1 start, with impressive wins over Long Beach State, Saint Louis and Ball State. The only loss was at Indiana Saturday, which is certainly no shame.

To beat the Salukis Tuesday night, the Indians are likely going to need their best performance of the season.

And a big boost from the crowd certainly couldn't hurt.

* Tuesday's game will be one of four SEMO contests televised locally on KFVS-TV this season, the others being Dec. 16 against Southwest Missouri, Jan. 11 against Murray State and Feb. 8 at Murray State.

KFVS-TV sports director Steve Sotak will handle the play-by-play, with Zimmer Radio's Mike Legg providing color commentary.

The Indians will have one nationally televised game on ESPN, Jan. 6 at preseason OVC favorite Austin Peay.

* Big-time congratulations are in order for SEMO's volleyball team, which claimed its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament win Thursday by beating North Carolina.

Even though the Otahkians lost to powerhouse Florida Friday, it was definitely a breakthrough season for coach Cindy Gannon's squad.