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Southeast Missouri State University's two leading scorers from last year both say they hesitate to go too overboard in predicting good things about the 1997-98 basketball season.

But by the same token, William "Bud" Eley and Calvert White also find it hard to mask their excitement and enthusiasm entering Saturday's start of official practice.

Eley, a 6-foot-10 senior center, averaged team highs of 17.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season while earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. He has been ranked 17th out of 75 players in the Don Leventhal NBA Draft Report.

White, a 6-4 senior swingman, was second on the team in scoring at 13 points per game as he made the OVC's All-Newcomer team. He also led the squad in steals with 58.

"I think this is the year for us. We're strong at every position," said Eley as he addressed the gathering of media, boosters and Southeast officials during the Indians' media day activities Wednesday. "The fans have gotten us through a lot of rough times.

"We owe the fans and the community an OVC championship. I don't want to make any promises, because that can come back to haunt you. But you're going to see a whole different team this year, a more disciplined team."

White, who preceded Eley to the podium, said with a smile, "Hold on because I think it's going to be a real exciting season."

Of course, that kind of talk always dominates at media days across the country in every sport. It's prior to the season, which means every team has yet to taste defeat.

Eley and White both admit the Indians have a lot of improving to do over last season, when things looked good for a while before Southeast wound up 12-18 overall and in a fifth-place tie in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference.

One reason both Eley and White say they're particularly excited is the freshness and new perspective provided by the Indians' new coaching staff directed by veteran head coach Gary Garner, who is coming off a 63-2 run the past two seasons at Division II Fort Hays (Kan.) State.

Both Eley and White made it a point to thank Southeast officials for selecting Garner over several other candidates when the new coach was hired in June.

"Coach has made me a better player, as far as footwork and conditioning," said Eley. "At first it (conditioning) was tough, but it was worth it. I know he's just trying to make me a better player."

White said the team has embraced the feeling of family that Garner has tried to instill in the Indians.

"One thing we said at the end of every (offseason) workout was family," he said. "To be successful, we have to be a family, the coaches, players, boosters, fans."

Garner no doubt loves that type of talk. And he also realizes how important big seasons from both Eley and White will be to the potential success of the Indians.

"They're going to be two of the keys for us this year," said Garner. "Eley has tremendous potential to be as good as he wants to be. We want to get the ball in his hands as much as we can.

"White has the ability to create his own shot and he runs the court very well. We're expecting a lot out of both of them."