THE LATEST LINE: SEMO GAVE HOOP FANS EVERYWHERE A REAL THRILL

I've watched the replay of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game about a dozen times so far.

I keep hoping Murray State's Aubrey Reese will miss that last shot.

But it goes in every time.

Still, what a game. And what a season for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians.

It was a season that nothing can detract from, not even last Sunday's heartbreaking 62-61 loss in Nashville that was televised nationally by ESPN.

If anything, the way the Indians fought the favored Racers down to the wire -- and very nearly advanced to the NCAA Tournament -- adds even more luster to what SEMO accomplished this season.

Basketball fans across the country were treated to one of the season's best games on any level, with the teams trading three potential game-winning shots over the last 15 seconds, capped by Reese breaking the hearts of SEMO fans everywhere with his unbelievable bucket at the buzzer.

But people from coast to coast were impressed by the show the Indians put on. I know that for a fact, because I've fielded numerous calls over the past week from friends across the country who wanted to talk about that great game.

Several old pals from St. Louis phoned. A couple of buddies from Oklahoma. My brother in California. They all said it was one of the best games they'd ever seen.

And if they're thinking that, then so are most people across America. SEMO's basketball program -- and the school in general -- couldn't buy that kind of positive publicity if it ran a multi-million dollar advertising campaign.

A season that featured numerous superlatives -- including a best-ever Division I record of 20-9 -- will not soon be forgotten by SEMO fans.

Coach Gary Garner and his staff expertly directed a team not overly blessed with standout talent. The Indians relied on gritty defense, strong chemistry and overall team unity -- the players all seemed to genuinely like each other and the coaches -- to become an extremely solid squad.

As a person who saw every game, it was definitely a season I'll remember for a long time.

Congratulations to everybody associated with the program for one heck of a year.

And thanks for letting me along for the ride.

* Although the chances appear slim, SEMO is still hopeful of an NIT bid.

Those pairings will be announced tonight, a few hours after the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed late this afternoon.

* SEMO's women also deserve high praise for their best-ever Division I season that featured a 19-9 record and a fourth-place OVC finish.

With many of the key players returning, the Otahkians could certainly once again challenge for the OVC title next year.

* Cairo (Ill.) High product Tyrone Nesby continues to make a mark in his rookie NBA season.

Nesby, seeing more and more playing time recently, scored a career-high 17 points during a game this past week. And he followed that up with a 13-point performance.

Even though his LA Clippers are the NBA's worst team, Nesby certainly appears to have a bright future.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian