Top-seeded SEMO MBB set to shine on big stage at 2025 OVC Tournament

Top seed Southeast Missouri State.

Those words have never been used in the same sentence in SEMO men’s basketball history.

But believe it Cape Girardeau: SEMO locked up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after capturing the outright regular-season championship for the first time in program history last Thursday, Feb. 27, in Edwardsville, Illinois.

The Redhawks are 20-11 overall and 15-5 in the league, as Brad Korn has re-elevated the program and turned it into a big winner. Now it’s a matter of his players keeping their late-season momentum rolling and punching a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

SEMO will face the winner of No. 4 Little Rock against either No. 5 Tennessee Tech or No. 8 UT Martin in the OVC Tournament semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

“The competitive nature comes out of these guys in those big environments,” Korn said. “Although these guys haven't played in the Ford Center, they have played at Carver Arena (Bradley University), at Vanderbilt, and some other places. So, they've been in some stages before, and I think that just prepares you for when you get in there.

“These guys aren't going to be starstruck. Maybe the first couple minutes but then, after that, it’s basketball.”

Even after a hiccup loss to Eastern Illinois in the regular-season finale Saturday, March 1 — two days after earning an emotional and commanding win over SIU Edwardsville to clinch the regular-season crown — SEMO carries the swagger and pedigree of a tournament top seed.

“When we're all playing well and connected, there's really no one spot or one guy that you can take away,” Korn said. “I think a lot of our system helps play into that, too. We don't get in the way of individual players making plays, and the game is supposed to be played free-flowing and read and react. So, I think the more that we stay true to that, that makes us more dangerous.”

The Redhawks, who crafted a program-best 10-game winning streak and have lost just once since Jan. 23, are guided by point guard Rob Martin, a first-team All-OVC selection who's averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 assists per game behind 46.1% shooting (tied for third in OVC). In the most important game of the year against SIUE, the St. Louis native dropped a career-high 31 points on 68% shooting.

“I feel like we’re just coming in with the same mindset we played with this last month or so,” Martin said. “Just locking in, keeping the main thing, the main thing, focusing and just bringing it each and every day. The next game is the most important, so I feel like we’ll just wait on the results Thursday and lock in on our game plan and watch film. And I feel like we’ll take care of business Friday.”

While Martin is playing like one of the best point guards in the country — yes, the country — forward Brendan Terry has emerged as one of the league's top big men. Transfer Teddy Washington Jr. is another first-team All-OVC performer, while junior Braxton Stacker and sophomore BJ Ward bring a huge spark to the team. And the other complementary pieces have gotten increasingly better.

This, of course, is also a testament to Korn, who was named the OVC Coach of the Year on Tuesday, March 4, building his program back up following a shaky 9-22 season in 2023-24.

He’s the reason why SEMO plays smart and steady basketball behind a conference-best 2.97 turnover margin. He’s the reason why SEMO ranks sixth in the nation in opponent 3-point percentage (28.5%), forcing teams to beat them in the paint. He’s the reason why SEMO has — at least so far — overcome its weakness from 3-point territory (33.8% — sixth in OVC) to stand atop the conference by drawing up an offense that generates high-percentage two-point shots to mesh with his players’ strengths, specifically Martin’s mid-range jumper and Terry’s inside presence. He’s the reason why fans packed the Show Me Center to witness what could end up being the program’s greatest season ever.

As a result, the Redhawks have become the top story in Bootheel sports and, as the calendar has turned to the great month of March, they're among one of the most compelling storylines in mid-major college basketball.

“I told these guys from the beginning of the season, ‘To me, it's a little bit of a slap in the face from the media and other coaches that we brought back seven guys from last season and were picked seventh,’” Korn said of the preseason OVC poll. “I know our record wasn't great, but those are good players. They just had to go through the learning and the growing process. And so, we didn't waiver as a staff, and then you add in guys like Brendan and Teddy, and the personalities came in and meshed extremely well. So, there's a whole lot more that goes into it than just some cute little play on offense or defense.”

That being the current sentiment for SEMO shows the visible contrast with Little Rock, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin — three programs that have been on a bit of a downward spiral after losing two of their last three games of the regular season.

The Redhawks split games with the Trojans this season, losing a 73-71 heartbreaker at home before beating them by 12 on the road three weeks ago. SEMO swept Tennessee Tech in the regular season series, winning by seven on the road and by 14 at home, and split with UT Martin.

This all sets the stage for Friday night when the Redhawks step into the bright lights of the Ford Center and get the opportunity to make their mark.

“This week has not been any different,” Korn said of the team’s preparation. “We try to keep it as normal as possible. We're going to keep it similar to what a road game would be for us.

“This group has shown that they don't need a whole lot of extra fluff. Keep it business as usual. Keep the main thing, the main thing, and that's to go there and win a game Friday night. There is no Saturday if you don't get to take care of Friday.”