SE ATTRACTS VOTES IN USA TODAY TOP 25 POLL

The best start for Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program at the Division I level got a little better Monday with recognition in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 poll.

Southeast, which improved its record to 8-1 with a surprising 65-60 victory over Bradley on Wednesday, picked up five points in this week's coaches' poll. The points are the first ever for Southeast, which moved up to Division I in 1990.

The five points were two more than the University of Missouri and ranked Southeast 40th in the country.

"First of all it's very flattering," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "It's an honor for the program and the players to receive any votes for the Top 25. I'm sure they're going on our record and probably the Bradley game. But it's also very premature to think we're that kind of team yet.

"The thing I like about it, though, is we're still a young Division I program and any positive publicity and recognition can do nothing but help us."

In the poll, first-place votes were worth 25 points while votes for 25th place were worth a point.

Southeast did not receive any votes in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, but Ohio Valley Conference power Murray State appeared with two points.

The Indians return to action Sunday when they visit SIU-Carbondale for a 3:05 p.m. game.