Next Southeast women's basketball coach remains a mystery

Southeast Missouri State director of athletics John Shafer's formula with his major coaching hires is to keep matters confidential, with no search committee, no public interview forums and no comment on potential candidates.

Shafer's current search for a women's basketball coach has followed suit. He recently told me the position has attracted plenty of candidates but he hasn't said much else about the situation.

Considering that it's been nearly five weeks since the university elected not to renew John Ishee's contract, I wouldn't expect it to take too much longer for a new coach to be in place.

Just who that coach will be is anybody's guess.

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One of the most exciting and unpredictable NCAA men's basketball tournaments will come to a climactic conclusion tonight when third-seeded Connecticut plays eighth-seeded Butler.

Stunningly, considering its status as a so-called mid-major, Butler is in the championship game for the second straight year. How amazing is that?

As many great games as there have been in this year's tournament, I hate to see it end.

I'm rooting for it to end with a Butler victory. Nothing against UConn -- I actually like the Huskies and absolutely love All-American guard Kemba Walker's game -- but it would be the story of all stories if the Bulldogs captured the crown.

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It was another good week for Morehead State basketball star Kenneth Faried.

First Faried was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. The senior forward, projected as a likely first-round NBA draft pick, was among 15 players to make the AP's top three units.

Faried, two-time Ohio Valley Conference player of the year, has been selected to six different All-American teams this year.

Faried then went out Friday and dominated in the National Association of Basketball Coaches College All-Star Game, earning West Team MVP honors with a 17-point, 18-rebound performance.

The contest, held in Houston on the eve of the Final Four, featured many of the nation's premier players. Faried's squad won 113-108.

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The Southeast Missouri State football team, coming off its historic season, has an attractive home schedule as this year's slate was released last week.

Southeast arguably will play its toughest two FCS opponents at home, regional rival Southern Illinois in the Sept. 3 opener and perennial Ohio Valley Conference power Jacksonville State in the next-to-last game Nov. 12.

The Redhawks nosed out Jacksonville State for their first OVC championship in 2010 and it's likely the Gamecocks will be the 2011 preseason favorite. Wouldn't it be something if the title is on the line when the Gamecocks come to town?

Additionally, the Redhawks get rival Murray State at Houck Stadium on Nov. 19 in the regular-season finale.

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Former Southeast baseball standout and ex-major league outfielder Kerry Robinson is back with his hometown team.

The Cardinals recently hired the St. Louis native as a professional scout and coordinator for their major-league video scouting.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robinson, who last played for the Cardinals in 2003 and in the big leagues in 2006, will scout the Kansas City Royals and their minor-league affiliates while performing most of his video scouting from his Ballwin home.

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The Cardinals, according to Sports Illustrated, won't treat their fans to a very enjoyable season.

SI picked St. Louis to finish fourth in the National League Central with a 78-84 record. The Reds were tabbed by SI to win the division, with the Brewers second and the Cubs third.

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Two local products are part of the best start in school history for the Harding University baseball team. The Division II program from Searcy, Ark., is 28-6 and nationally ranked.

Ryan Modglin, a Scott City High School graduate, is 3-0 with a 3.25 ERA as one of the Bisons' top starters. He has allowed 23 hits in 44 1/3 innings while striking out 49 and walking 26.

Modglin is a sophomore transfer from Division I Missouri State, where he saw limited action in 2009 before missing all of last season with a shoulder injury.

Talley Haines, a Central High School graduate, is in his first season as the Bisons' pitching coach while also serving as their high school recruiting coordinator.

Haines pitched in the minor leagues for 10 years, reaching as high as Class AAA.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.