Indians look for smooth start

Trying to bounce back from two straight down years, tonight's season debut for Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team is probably more important than most openers.

The Indians, who went 11-19 last year, welcome Wisconsin-Green Bay to the Show Me Center for an 8:15 p.m. tipoff.

"No question it's more important because of the last couple of years," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "It's always important to win the opener, but more so this year. We need to get off to a good start."

Garner has high hopes for a turnaround year, but injury problems have hampered the Indians through much of the preseason, although none are considered serious.

Junior forward Reggie Golson had the most serious injury as an ankle problem forced him to miss several weeks of practice and both exhibition games, but he returned to practice earlier this week -- ahead of schedule -- and he could see limited action tonight.

"I'm ready to finally get in there," said Golson, who was also hurt virtually all of last season and took a medical redshirt after appearing in just one game. "It's been a long time."

Junior forward Dainmon Gonner (strained groin) and junior guard/forward Norman Prather (sprained ankle) both missed recent practice time but are expected to play tonight. Gonner was Southeast's leading scorer in the two exhibition games.

"When we get healthy, I feel really good about our basketball team," Garner said. "My biggest concern for Wisconsin-Green Bay is our injury situation, not so much that people will be out, but that they've missed so much practice time."

The Phoenix have risen

Even if the Indians were at full strength, Garner said he would expect a tough time from Wisconsin-Green Bay, which went just 10-20 last season but is expected to be considerably improved this year.

"We have tape on them from last year, and they don't look like a team that won only 10 games," Garner said. "I'm really worried about them. I've been told they are going to be much, much better than last year. We're going to have to play very well to win."

The Phoenix had some strong showings last year, beating Kansas State and playing Missouri tough. With three starters returning -- including their top two scorers -- second-year coach Tod Kowalczyk looks for a much better showing this season.

"I think we're a lot better than last year, but we're still young," said Kowalczyk, a former Marquette assistant.

Matt Rhode, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, led the Phoenix last year with 12.9 points per game and hit nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Mike King, a 6-8 senior forward, was next in scoring at 11.4 points per game. Another returning starter is 6-2 sophomore guard Terry Parker (7.5 ppg).

"They have some experience back, some of their better players," Garner said. "King is very good, Rhode can really shoot and they've brought in some really talented new players."

Wisconsin-Green Bay had two impressive exhibition performances, beating the Wisconsin All-Stars 101-95 and Division II Northern Michigan 77-33.

"I don't know anything about Northern Michigan, but in the past they've been a good Division II team," Garner said. "I don't care who you're playing, to beat somebody 77-33 says you must be pretty good."