After three impressive seasons that featured a 62-28 record and the program's first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, the bottom fell out for Southeast Missouri State University last year.

The Indians' 6-22 record -- fueled in part by the loss of several key players prior to the season -- was dismal by any standards.

"It was just really frustrating," sophomore guard Derek Winans said.

But with any new season comes hope. That's why the mood was upbeat and positive Tuesday afternoon at the Show Me Center at the Indians' annual media day.

Southeast begins practice Saturday. After home exhibition games Nov. 9 and Nov. 15, the regular season tips off Nov. 22 at Arkansas State, with the home opener Nov. 25 against Central Methodist.

"Last year really left a bad taste in all our mouths," said Southeast coach Gary Garner, entering his sixth season with the Indians. "We're not going to let that happen again. I can just feel it in our players, especially the returning ones."

While an optimist, Garner also is a realist. He said a full-scale recovery from a six-win season probably won't happen in one year. Still, he and his players say the team will be vastly improved, thanks in large part to five returning players who started at least 12 games last year and two junior-college transfers.

"We came on at the end last year and a lot of that was because of the youth of our team," Garner said. "I think we really have a solid foundation and we'll be much better."

The Indians won three of their final five regular-season games last season.

"Nobody wants to go through a year like we had last year," senior forward Tim Scheer said. "I know people aren't expecting a lot from us, but I think everybody is ready to step it up. I think we'll surprise some people."

The 6-foot-2 Winans and 6-7 Scheer were the Indians' top two scorers last season, averaging 14.9 and 13.4 points per game, respectively.

Winans also led the squad in assists, steals, 3-pointers and minutes played as he won the Ohio Valley Conference's freshman of the year award even though Southeast finished just eighth in the nine-team league.

"We came on at the end last year, which gave us some confidence," Winans said. "We have to realize this is a new year and we can turn it around."

Also returning with considerable starting experience are 6-3 sophomore guard Brett Hale (9.3 ppg), 6-4 senior guard Demetrius King (7.0 ppg) and 6-6 junior swingman Damarcus Hence (6.1 ppg).

"I think it's a very big season for us," said Hale, who shot 91 percent from the free-throw line as a freshman. "We need to prove to ourselves and our fans that we can bounce back from a season like that."

Others back from last year are 6-3 sophomore guard Kevin Roberts (1.7 ppg), who became a key contributor late in the season, and 6-11 sophomore center Adam Crader (1.2 ppg), who saw limited action.

"We're all anxious to show that last year was a fluke," Roberts said.

Garner will look for an immediate impact from two junior-college transfers, 6-8, 230-pound center Brandon Griffin and 6-7 forward Reggie Golson. Griffin averaged 14 points and 7.5 rebounds at Southwest Mississippi while Golson averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds at Hutchinson (Kan.), although he won't be able to begin practice until Nov. 8 as he recovers from minor knee surgery.

Southeast's lone freshman recruit is 6-7 forward Cole Grapperhaus, who averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds at Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill.

"Any time you have the kind of season we had last year, you just can't wait to get started again," Garner said. "Saturday can't get here quick enough."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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