IT'S SHOW (ME) TIME: OVC-LEADING INDIANS RETURN HOME

Austin Peay might be struggling a bit, but that doesn't mean the Governors don't possess some of the top basketball talent in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Tonight, Southeast Missouri State University will look to slow down that talent. If the Indians do, then they will continue to remain at the top of the OVC standings.

The Indians (9-5 overall, 6-0 OVC) and Govs (4-8, 2-3) square off in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center that marks the beginning of the week-long Union Planters Basketball Extravaganza at Southeast.

Tonight's game also marks the start of a huge three-game homestand for the Indians, who will play defending OVC champion and preseason favorite Murray State Thursday night before facing Tennessee-Martin Saturday night.

"We have three big games this week, but we have to take them one game at a time," said Southeast coach Gary Garner.

Garner was quick to caution that the Indians cannot afford to look ahead to Thursday's first-place showdown with Murray State's Racers, who are one-half game behind the Indians in the OVC standings at 5-0.

"If we do that, we'll get beat," he said. "We've talked all season about taking it one game at a time and so far I think we've done a good job of that."

Austin Peay, a perennial OVC contender, was picked third in the league's preseason poll. The Govs are tied for sixth place but are coming off a 68-57 win at Eastern Kentucky.

"I think you'll see Austin Peay start to really come on," said Garner. "They have the reputation of getting it together in the second half of the season."

There is no question that the Govs feature some of the better individual players in the league, led by Trenton Hassell, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard/forward.

Hassell, who was not eligible to play last season as a freshman, is the OVC's third-leading scorer at 19 points per game. He's also second in the league in rebounding with 9.8 a contest.

Also scoring in double figures are 6-5 senior forward Jerome Jackson (11.8 ppg) and 6-1 sophomore guard Nick Stapleton (11.5 ppg).

"In Hassell, Jackson, Stapleton and (James) Stewart, they possess the talent. When they get it going, Austin Peay can be as good as anybody in the league," said Garner.

In Hassell, the Govs possess a player who can dominate a game both on the inside and from the outside. He scored 21 points on Dec. 3 when Southeast prevailed 74-65 in Clarksville, but much of the damage came late as Mike Branson did a strong defensive job.

"Hassell has NBA type potential," Garner said. "Mike did a great job on him last time and he'll be on him again."

Southeast, coming off two straight OVC road wins, has posted four league victories away from home so far.

"That's one of the really good things about being 6-0, four have come on the road," said Garner. "But the scary thing is, we're playing better on the road than at home."

The Indians got consistent play from all five starters and their main reserves during last week's wins at Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Tech. Southeast also notched a league victory at home over Morehead State last week.

"Everybody is playing so well right now," Garner said. "Our starters are doing a good job and we're getting guys off the bench who are really contributing."

Senior center Bud Eley leads the Indians in scoring (14.9 ppg) while he is the OVC leader in rebounding (9.9) and blocked shots (3.4).

"Bud is such a force in there and he's been so consistent," said Garner.

Eley is fourth on the Southeast all-time scoring list with 1,375 points and he is sixth in rebounding with 784. He needs 11 more rebounds to move into fourth place. Eley is Southeast's all-time leader in blocked shots with 151.

Junior forward Mike Branson, who came on to record double-doubles in both recent road wins, has boosted his scoring average to 11 points per game, second on the team.

Also in double figures are senior guard Cory Johnson (10.8 ppg) and junior forward Roderick Johnson (10.2 ppg). C. Johnson leads the OVC in free-throw shooting at 94 percent. He has missed just two of his 36 attempts.

The Indians lead the OVC in scoring defense, allowing an average of 62.5 points per game, and field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 39 percent from the field.

"We continue to play very good defense and we've become a much better offensive team in the last month," said Garner.

* As part of the Union Planters Basketball Extravaganza, Garner and his staff, along with Southeast women's coach Ed Arnzen and his staff, will have a basketball clinic Saturday.

The free clinic, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Show Me Center will be open to all youngsters ages 8 through 13.

Members of both the Southeast men's and women's teams will also visit area grade schools this week.

Austin Peay at SEMO

7:30 p.m., Show Me Center

Probable Starters

SEMO (9-5, 6-0 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Mike Branson F Jr. 6-6 11.0

Demetrius Watson F Sr. 6-4 5.5

Bud Eley C Sr. 6-10 14.9

Cory Johnson G Sr. 6-0 10.8

Kahn Cotton G Sr. 5-10 7.8

Austin Peay (4-8, 2-3 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Trenton Hassell F So. 6-5 19.0

Jerome Jackson F Sr. 6-5 11.8

Mike Head C Jr. 6-8 4.3

Willie Ivory G Jr. 6-4 3.2

Nick Stapleton G So. 6-1 11.5

Series: SEMO leads 11-7

Last meeting: SEMO won 74-65 on Dec. 3

Radio: K103-FM