THE LATEST LINE: SEMO FANS NEED TO PICK UP INTENSITY

First of all, let me say one thing: this area generally has solid college basketball fans, with a strong base supporting Southeast Missouri State University through thick and thin.

How else do you explain four or five thousand fans coming out to games on a consistent basis the last few years even when the team wasn't doing all that hot?

That being said, let me use a little coach-speak in telling the fans that they need to pick up the intensity a few notches.

Why do I say that? Because during Wednesday's 79-71 win over Bradley -- one of SEMO's biggest Division I victories -- more often than not I could hear a pin drop in the Show Me Center.

I showed up Wednesday hyped and excited, expecting a crowd that would make enough consistent noise that you'd leave the building with your ears ringing.

Sure, it was loud at times. But I expected more.

I know, this isn't Duke or Kansas or some other major college hotbed, where people go crazy from opening tip to final buzzer and you can't even hear yourself think. And it was Thanksgiving break, which cut down on the student turnout.

Still, I've been to other basketball venues in the OVC -- Murray State and Austin Peay to name two -- and those places are loud most of the time, making it extremely tough on the opposition.

Speaking with college coaching pals of mine over the years about what makes a really good crowd and what really helps the home team -- and also gaining some insight from covering games across the country and from watching college basketball on ESPN for so many years -- I've come up with a few tips for SEMO fans.

1) Try to be as noisy as possible at all times, even if it means you're going to wind up somewhat hoarse and your hands might be sore from clapping for a few days.

2) Don't focus solely on when the Indians have the basketball or when they just scored or dunked. On defense is when the home team really needs its fans. There's nothing like the crowd going nuts during a big defensive stop to get the home squad pumped.

3) As long as it's generally good-natured and not vicious, it doesn't hurt to get on the opposing coach and players. SEMO fans were great about that when ex-Morehead State coach Dick Fick used to bring his wild antics to the Show Me Center.

4) Don't be in such a hurry to leave the building. After the Bradley game, I thought everybody would be so pumped they would want to hang around and celebrate for a least a few minutes. But people were heading to the exits in seconds. I know the players and coaches would appreciate the post-game support as they shake hands with the opposition and make their way to the locker room.

So, there you have it. A quick guide to making a great home court advantage.

The Indians have two big home games coming up this week, against Tennessee State Thursday and Austin Peay Saturday. Both teams are picked to finish high in the OVC. It would be great for the Indians to get off to a good league start.

And the fans can be a big part of that.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian