Southeast Missouri State basketball teams give fans a taste of hoops at Redhawks Madness

This story has been edited to correct the dates for the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball exhibition game and opener.

The Southeast men's and women's teams gave the public a sneak preview at Redhawks Madness at the Show Me Center

Both Southeast Missouri State basketball teams are still several weeks away from opening their seasons.

But fans got an early preview of each squad during Redhawks Madness on Sunday night at the Show Me Center.

It wasn't quite Midnight Madness -- events that have become popular with programs across the country -- but the several hundred people in attendance for the activities that lasted from 9 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. seemed to enjoy themselves.

And it's not likely anybody had more fun than Matt Brucker, a Southeast junior who graduated from Delta High School.

Brucker was among two people picked out of the crowd at the end of the night to attempt a half-court shot for $5,000.

He made it, setting off a wild celebration among Brucker and several of his friends.

"Amazing," Brucker said.

While the rest of the evening might not have been amazing, it was obvious that the coaches and players from both teams -- who have been going at it during practice for nearly two weeks -- had a good time during the event that featured prizes, free refreshments, contests and intrasquad scrimmages.

"This is great, to get the enthusiasm going for basketball, the men and women," Southeast men's coach Dickey Nutt said. "And it's a great turnout. I see a lot of familiar faces."

Nutt and Southeast women's coach Ty Margenthaler were particularly enthused about the large number of students in attendance.

Nutt said he and Margenthaler, along with some of their players, have visited various fraternities and sororities in recent weeks to try and generate enthusiasm for both programs.

"Our fans feed off our students," Nutt said. "If we can get the students here, we can be that much better as a team and program."

Nutt gave props to his daughter Lexis, a Southeast junior majoring in television and film for helping put the wheels in motion for the event.

"She came to me and said we've got to do a Midnight Madness. I told her I'm in bed by midnight," Nutt said with a laugh.

Said Lexis Nutt: "I just wanted them to have something like this. The big schools do it. It's a wonderful turnout. I'm very pleased."

Margenthaler said getting his players in front of a crowd will help them prepare for the season.

"Any time we can get our team in front of fans, get on the court with the lights on, get the jitters out, it's a win-win situation," Margenthaler said. "Especially with us having eight new players, this is important for us."

Both teams have high hopes entering the season, with the men expected to rank among the OVC favorites and the women expecting to also take a major step forward.

"It's going to be a fun year," Margenthaler said. "Coach Nutt has a great team returning and we're up and coming."

Southeast's men have two home exhibition games, Oct. 29 against Hannibal-LaGrange and Nov. 2 against Ouachita Baptist, before opening the season Nov. 8 at Saint Louis University.

Southeast's women play their only exhibition game Nov. 2, hosting Maryville. The season opener is Nov. 8 at Alabama A&M.