In July, the Southeast Missourian published two articles and several charts regarding Southeast Missouri State University's budget problems within its athletic department.

Of particular note was how some of Southeast's sports -- especially the big two of football and men's basketball -- were glaringly underfunded when compared to the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference and, for that matter, many of the nation's similar programs.

Men's basketball has had three straight losing seasons, which have pretty well coincided with the program's budget being dramatically slashed. After the previous three years were so good -- a combined 62-28 record, an OVC title and an NCAA Tournament appearance -- it's hard to imagine this just being a coincidence.

Now football is winding up a dismal season after an 8-4 record in 2002 and playing for the OVC championship last year. It might be too early to jump to conclusions regarding the financial situation's impact because of one bad season, but it's something to consider.

Having the general resources of similar programs is almost a must in the world of intercollegiate athletics. Southeast football and men's basketball come up way short in that category these days.

To be sure, men's basketball coach Gary Garner and football coach Tim Billings -- along with some of Southeast's other coaches -- have become increasingly frustrated with their budget situations.

Most of Southeast's sports have had their budgets sliced over the past few years -- and it's probably no coincidence that many of those squads' performances have slipped considerably during that span.

I realize these are tough economic times for the university as a whole, with many academic programs also feeling the crunch. There is no easy solution as to where -- save for some major private donors stepping forward -- additional funding will be found in the near future.

But if Southeast wants to have a strong overall athletic program -- which appeared to be the case just a few years ago -- then additional money is probably going to have to come from somewhere.

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for -- and right now Southeast isn't getting nearly as much as it used to regarding athletic success.

Are you ready for some college basketball, regular-season style?

Southeast's teams are. They both tip off their schedules Friday night on the road against challenging opponents.

The men face Bradley. While the Braves are not projected as one of the Missouri Valley Conference's upper-division teams, they do feature the player most preseason publications have tabbed as the league's best NBA prospect in 6-foot-7, 225-pound junior forward Marcellus Sommerville. He's the reigning MVC newcomer of the year.

The women take on Oklahoma, which is ranked 22nd nationally. This will mark the third straight year Southeast has played the Sooners since B.J. Smith took over as coach. He formerly directed the powerhouse junior college program at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and some of his players transferred to OU, which helped build a strong relationship with the coaching staff in Norman, Okla.

It should be an interesting season for both Southeast squads regardless of what happens in their openers as the men try to finally bounce back from three straight down years and the women try to work 11 new players into an almost completely rebuilt roster.

Southeast product Willie Ponder continues to make his mark as a kickoff returner during his second NFL season -- and right now he's statistically the very best at his craft in the entire league.

Ponder, also a reserve wide receiver with the New York Giants, leads the NFL with an average of 27.8 yards per kickoff return.

A big performance last Sunday against the Chicago Bears -- he returned five kickoffs for an average of 31 yards and had a return of about 80 yards wiped out by a penalty -- vaulted the former Southeast All-American into the top spot.

• Congratulations to the Saxony Lutheran High School boys cross country team for winning the Class 1 state title.

That would be an amazing accomplishment under any circumstances but is even more remarkable given that the squad is only in its second year of existence.

And considering that the team is so young, the Crusaders could very well be starting a real dynasty.

Also kudos to Notre Dame's boys for placing fourth in Class 2.

People who think Missouri's basketball program got off with only a slap on the wrist from the NCAA couldn't be more wrong.

Sure, the Tigers were spared potential bans on postseason and television appearances -- the things casual fans look to when probation is handed out -- but a year-long ban on off-campus recruiting is a major blow.

Because of that sanction, it will be hard for MU's coaches to convince the nation's top talent to play for the Tigers when they can't get out, beat the bushes and glad-hand like the coaches at the rest of the marquee Division I programs.

For all of Quin Snyder's shortcomings -- the most glaring in my book is on-the-court coaching -- nobody has ever questioned his ability to lure top-flight recruits to Columbia.

But that attribute figures to take a severe hit because of the NCAA sanction and it will be interesting to see just how MU's program is affected down the road.

As for Missouri football, the season sure has taken a bad turn after it began with such promise following last year's breakthrough campaign that featured a bowl appearance.

Now, saddled with four straight losses and a 4-5 record, the Tigers must win their final two games just to become bowl eligible.

Coach Gary Pinkel's star -- which appeared so bright after last season -- has dimmed in the eyes of MU fans who have been frustrated by the Tigers' inability to hold leads. In three of their five losses, they held double-digit advantages.

The Tigers certainly have probably wasted a golden opportunity to win the Big 12 North title in a year where the division is almost comically weak.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.