The show must go on for Southeast men's basketball

The allegations of NCAA rules violations that led to coach Scott Edgar being placed on administrative leave have dominated most of the recent talk regarding Southeast Missouri State men's basketball.

Not many people I've spoken to even seem to be thinking about what might happen on the court this season.

So, how about that subject?

Well, on paper it is fairly bleak. Due to transfers, injuries and top recruits not qualifying academically, most people expect Southeast to struggle.

That was evident at the recent Ohio Valley Conference media day as Southeast was picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams.

Now, that doesn't mean the Redhawks are doomed to another bad season.

But it would appear that plenty would have to go right for Southeast to approach a .500 record and an upper-division OVC finish.

The Redhawks are short on numbers, with only 10 available scholarship players, meaning everybody needs to stay healthy.

Point guard could be a big problem. Projected starter Hank Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during a pickup game.

Southeast will need strong seasons from senior forward Jaycen Herring, senior guard Kenard Moore and 6-foot-9 junior forward Calvin Williams. They are certainly capable of having all-OVC type campaigns.

Southeast then will need its other seven players to play important roles.

There appears to be several solid 3-point shooters -- guys like Moore, Herring, junior guard Jimmy Drew and sophomore forward Jajuan Maxwell, who missed last season with an injury -- which could be a strength despite the 3-point line being moved back this season.

An unknown factor is how the Redhawks' style of play will veer away from Edgar's preferred pedal-to-the-metal, helter-skelter, offense-dominated system.

Although acting coach Zac Roman told me Thursday he also prefers to push the ball when given the chance, he said being able to operate effectively in the half-court is imperative.

And Roman also emphasized how important solid half-court defense is to him, which could boost Southeast's chances of scraping out more wins than many people expect.

It should be an intriguing year.

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I applaud the university's selection of Roman to run the Redhawks this season.

I think fans who don't know Roman well are really going to enjoy him. He's personable and outgoing, and in general seems to have a sound coaching philosophy.

The same goes for fellow assistant Rodney Hamilton, who is also in his second season at Southeast. I would have had no problem if he had been named acting coach.

I haven't yet gotten to know Tommy Suitts, who was hired only last month to round out the Redhawks' staff, but I've heard positive things about him.

I just didn't think Suitts would be considered for the acting coach position due to his newness to the situation.

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While the jury is out on Southeast men's basketball, the women appear to have sufficient talent to continue their run of OVC championships since coach John Ishee took over.

Southeast is two-for-two in OVC regular-season titles under Ishee, including one OVC tournament crown. The Redhawks are 47-17 the past two years, going 23-9 last season.

Losing top scorer and rebounder Missy Whitney, along with key guard Ashley Lovelady, to graduation are significant losses.

But Southeast returns 10 players and has five newcomers who Ishee expects to contribute at some point in the season.

Southeast was picked third in the OVC preseason poll, but the Redhawks did receive three first-place votes as the top four squads were tightly packed.

I'll be surprised if the Redhawks don't make another strong push for a conference championship.

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Even though it didn't result in a win, I was really impressed by the gritty, determined effort the Southeast football team put together Saturday at perennial OVC power Eastern Illinois, which held on for a 24-21 victory.

I know sports is a bottom-line deal, with wins and losses the primary measuring stick, but no matter what the Redhawks' final record turns out to be this year, they've got plenty of heart.

Maybe the Redhawks (2-5, 0-3 OVC) can finally finish off an upset Saturday when Tennessee State (6-1, 3-0) visits Houck Stadium for homecoming.

The Tigers lead the OVC, are nationally ranked and have plenty of talent, but they needed a field goal with two seconds left Saturday to beat winless Austin Peay 37-34.

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Former Southeast All-American Edgar Jones, a tight end who has been on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad, was signed to their active roster last week.

Jones, a defensive end at Southeast, played linebacker last year during his rookie season. He saw limited action, playing in four games and recording five tackles, including a sack.

Jones was moved to tight end by the Ravens during the preseason.

Jones joined three other Southeast products on active NFL rosters: offensive lineman Eugene Amano (Tennessee Titans), cornerback Dimitri Patterson (Kansas City Chiefs) and offensive lineman Dan Connolly (New England Patriots).

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While Southeast's football team came close Saturday, the same can't be said for Missouri.

After watching Texas beat Oklahoma the previous week, I expected the top-ranked Longhorns to fend off the Tigers.

But I didn't see 56-31 coming, and especially not 35-3 at halftime as Texas totally dominated MU.

With their national title hopes snuffed out, the Tigers need to regroup quickly because they still have a solid chance to win the Big 12 North title and play for the Big 12 championship.

I'm sure many MU fans are disappointed, but considering what took place in Columbia for most of the past 40 years or so, back-to-back Big 12 North crowns would be a major accomplishment.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.