Southeast senior looks for better season for Indians

Tim Scheer, more than any current Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball player, knows what it's like to experience considerable team success.

But Scheer also knows what it's like to experience plenty of failure; he was the second-leading scorer on last year's Indian squad that slumped to a 6-22 record.

"That wasn't very much fun," said Scheer, the lone remaining player from Southeast's 1999-2000 team that made the program's only NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. "I want us to get back to the way we used to be."

Scheer, a 6-foot-7 senior forward from New Haven, Mo., knows the Indians have a long way to go to even come close to matching the success of the first two Southeast teams he played on, which went a combined 42-19. But he also believes they have the potential to considerably improve on last year's dismal performance.

"I think we're going to be a lot better and surprise a lot of people," he said. "I think the biggest difference this year is we'll be more experienced and we'll be a better rebounding team."

Scheer did not play a very big role on the Indians' NCAA Tournament team from three years ago, but he relished the experience nonetheless. He appeared in 11 games as a true freshman, averaging 1.5 points and 0.9 rebounds for a squad that went 24-7 and beat nemesis Murray State in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament finals.

"It was great to be on that team," he said.

As a sophomore two years ago, Scheer started five games and played in 27. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for another solid team that went 18-12.

Last season, Scheer had a breakout season personally, scoring in double figures in 19 games and averaging 13.4 points per contest. He was also second on the team in rebounding (4.9), 3-point field-goal percentage (36.0) and free-throw percentage (83.3) while ranking third in overall field-goal percentage (46.8). Scheer was also the OVC's fourth-best free-throw shooter.

But the way the Indians struggled as a team left a sour taste in Scheer's mouth.

"Nobody wants to have that kind of a season again," he said.

In order to help make sure that doesn't happen, Scheer said he has not only tried to improve his personal game but will also look to be more of a leader this season. Primarily known as a spot-up shooter so far in his Southeast career, he hopes to expand his offensive repertoire.

"I've tried to work on a power game, some post-up moves and shooting off the dribble," he said. "And I definitely have to step up as a leader. My first year here, when we went to the NCAA Tournament, I was able to experience how guys like Roderick Johnson, Mike Branson and Brian Bunche were really good leaders. I want to be more like that."

Southeast coach Gary Garner, whose squad began practice Oct. 12 and opens the season Nov. 22, expects big things from his most experienced player.

"Tim has worked hard and improved a lot," Garner said. "I really think he's going to have a good year."