Redhawks increase their resistance on defense

Several factors have played roles in the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team's 6-1 Ohio Valley Conference start that has it tied for first place.

But no factor has been more important than the Redhawks' improved defense.

Following his first season, Southeast coach Scott Edgar said the Redhawks' defensive efficiency -- namely their field-goal percentage defense -- would be something he would spend significant time addressing.

So far, so good.

Southeast ranked toward the bottom of the OVC and nationally in most defensive categories last year, including 307th among 325 Division I squads in field-goal percentage defense.

Calvin Williams, left, and Kenard Moore closed in on a Tennessee Tech player earlier this season at the Show Me Center. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

That was a major reason the Redhawks finished Edgar's rookie campaign in Cape Girardeau 11-20 overall and 9-11 in league play.

The Redhawks have moved toward the top of the OVC, and into the upper half of the pack nationally, in many of the key defensive categories this year.

"I like the defense we're playing," said Edgar, whose squad plays at defending OVC regular-season champion Austin Peay on Saturday night. "It has improved a lot over last year, and it's one of the reasons we're 6-1 in the conference."

The 2006-07 Redhawks allowed the opposition to shoot 47.7 percent from the field (last in the 11-team OVC) and 36.9 percent from 3-point range (10th).

So far this season, Southeast has improved its field-goal percentage defense by more than five points, lowering it to 42.4, which ranked second in the OVC before Thursday night's play.

AARON EISENHAUER aeisenhauer@semissourian.com (Southeast Missouri State's Kenard Moore defended an inbound pass during an 84-74 victory over Tennessee Tech last month at the Show Me Center.)

The Redhawks' 3-point defense also has improved, as teams are shooting 35.6 percent.

But in conference games only -- where statistics count the most -- Southeast is limiting the opposition to 41 percent field-goal shooting and 33.3 percent from 3-point range to rank second in the OVC in both categories.

Nationally, the Redhawks were 127th among 328 Division I squads in field-goal percentage defense through last week's games.

"Coach always stresses defensive field-goal percentage," senior guard David Johnson said. "We've really been getting that down."

Like a year ago, Southeast continues to rank toward the bottom of the OVC and the nation in scoring defense, allowing 78.1 points per game overall and 73.7 points in conference play.

But Edgar is not worried about that statistic, since the Redhawks' fast-paced style of play creates more possessions and leads to higher scores on both ends.

"In our system, I think the key statistic for us defensively is field-goal percentage," Edgar said. "It's not where it was last year, which has been very important for us."

Improved rebounding has helped the Redhawks tighten their defense because teams are getting fewer chances to score by grabbing offensive rebounds.

A year ago, Southeast was ninth in the OVC in rebounding margin both overall (minus 3.8) and in conference play (minus 1.5). The Redhawks also finished toward the bottom nationally.

Right now, the Redhawks lead the OVC in rebounding margin during league games (plus 5.6), and they are third for all games (plus 0.7) to rank 152nd nationally.

"Our rebounding has gotten a lot better and that helps your defense," Edgar said.

Better offense has also played a role in the defensive improvement, Edgar said.

Southeast averages 74.8 points per game overall (up from 69.5 last year) and 75.6 points in OVC play (up from 74.5 a year ago).

The Redhawks are shooting 45.5 percent from the field after shooting 41.9 percent a year ago. In 3-point shooting, Southeast is at 36.8 percent compared to 33.2 percent last season.

"We have shot better and scored more, so we're able to get our defense set," Edgar said. "And we've been better defensively, so we've been able to be better in transition. It all goes hand in hand."

Edgar said there is no doubt upgrading the roster has helped Southeast improve in many areas, including defensively.

While returning most of its top players from last season, Southeast added several key newcomers to give the Redhawks more size, depth and talent.

The Redhawks relied on one player taller than 6 foot 6 last year, 6-9 Mike Rembert. When Rembert went down with a late-season knee injury, Southeast really struggled.

Among the newcomers with size this year to join Rembert were 6-9 Calvin Williams and 6-10 Will Bogan, while 6-5 Jaycen Herring -- Southeast's leading scorer -- has given the Redhawks another long and versatile defender.

"I think depth has helped us, and we're more athletic," Edgar said. "We've got more length at every position. This team has a lot more bigger bodies inside, not only to challenge shots but to rebound.

"To me, defense is all about making the offense uncomfortable. Make them take shots they don't want to take. Our press is not all about stealing the ball, it's about making teams uncomfortable."

Said senior forward Brandon Foust: "I think we're just playing more as a team. ... Our help-side defense is a lot better. We've worked a lot more on defense in practice this year.

"We're bigger, and we have more shot-blockers. Our depth has helped us. Whoever comes in gives us a lot of energy."

When teams do break Southeast's press, the Redhawks have utilized both man-to-man and zone defenses with equal effectiveness.

Edgar said more experience and a better understanding of his system have also played a role in Southeast's defensive improvement.

"Last year we had only a few people who had played the year before, and a lot of our guys were playing in really a different system to what they'd been used to," he said. "Year two to me always seems to be the biggest year of improvement in individual players.

"I think they have a better understanding of what we're trying to do, and I think physically they're better able to play it."

Added Johnson: "Last year was a new beginning for everybody. We had never played that type of ball. This year we're used to the system. We've got more depth, more size."

Edgar believes the Redhawks have matured from last year.

"I think we're tougher minded," he said.

Austin Peay won the OVC regular-season title with a 16-4 conference mark last year.

Edgar has no idea what record this year's champion will post, but he believes that if the Redhawks continue to perform well defensively, they'll remain in the hunt.

"You still have to make shots," he said. "But if we can keep our defensive field-goal percentage at 41 and keep rebounding, ... I think we'll be in the race until the end."

Austin Peay loses

Murray State handed Austin Peay its first OVC loss, 82-70 Thursday night in Murray, Ky.

That allowed Southeast -- which suffered its first league loss to Murray State, 79-51 at the Show Me Center Monday night -- to move into a first-place tie with the Governors heading into Saturday's game.