SEMO BRACES FOR RUGGED OPPONENT; LOUISINA TECH BRINGS HIGH-POWERED TEAM TO CAPE

The cupcakes for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team have all been devoured.

From now on, it's nothing but steak for the Indians. And tonight could be the ultimate prime cut.

In Louisiana Tech, which visits the Show Me Center for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, Southeast coach Gary Garner said area fans will get the chance to watch one of the top teams to ever face the Indians in Cape Girardeau.

"They'll probably be the best team that will play here this year and I'm sure they'll be one of the best to ever play here," said Garner. "We're definitely going to have our hands full."

Southeast, 2-1, is coming off an 84-65 win over NAIA Central Methodist Friday night. The Indians have also beaten Division II Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 78-35 and lost at Bradley 49-47.

The Indians have five more non-conference games to play -- and all of them figure to be rugged. In addition to tonight's contest, Southeast also visits Oklahoma State, Southwest Missouri State and Arkansas State, and the Indians face Southern Illinois-Carbondale in St. Louis.

"There are no sure wins left for us," said Garner of the Indians' difficult non-league slate. "Everybody left is very good."

Starting with Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs, who won at Baylor 72-63 in their only game so far, are regarded as one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Bulldogs have a new head coach in Keith Richard, a Louisiana Tech assistant the past four seasons. Richard took over the program when Jim Woolridge left to became an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls. Ironically, Garner was also in the running for that position before taking his name out of the hat to stay at Southeast.

"We had a good win at Baylor," said Richard. "We had normal first-game jitters, but we really battled and competed."

Louisiana Tech has a host of top-flight athletes, including 6-foot-5 senior guard Lonnie Cooper, who is regarded as a potential first-round NBA draft choice. Cooper, the Sun Belt's preseason player of the year, scored 13 points in the win over Baylor.

"He's a three-year starter and a very good player," Richard said. "A lot of NBA people are looking at him."

Richard also has high hopes for 6-9 junior forward Kendrick Spruel, a transfer from Florida. Spruel had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the opener.

"He's a very talented player," said Richard.

The Bulldogs, who start three guards and two forwards, also feature 6-4 junior guard Omar Cooper (14 points in the opener) and 6-2 junior guard Derek Smith (11 points in the opener).

"This is the best team we've had since I've been here," Richard said. "It's the most athletic, with the most scoring. Where it stacks up in our league, I'm not sure, but we think we'll do well."

Said Garner of the Bulldogs, "They are tremendously athletic and they shoot the ball extremely well. (Lonnie) Cooper is a probable high NBA pick. We'll have to play extremely well just to have a chance to stay close and be in the game."

Although the Indians are off to a 2-1 start, they have struggled offensively in the early going. Garner knows a much better performance will be needed tonight.

"We'll have to play a lot better than we have been," he said. "But I'm looking forward to the game. It's going to give us a pretty good indication of where we stand right now."

Senior center Bud Eley and junior forward Mike Branson have been the Indians' offensive leaders through three games, each averaging a little more than 12 points per contest. Junior forward Roderick Johnson is scoring almost 12 points a game.

Despite the Bulldogs' talents, Richard said he is expecting a tough game tonight.

"From what I've seen, they're going to be better than Baylor," said Richard of the Indians. "Any time you go on the road, it's always tough.

"And I know there will be a great atmosphere for the game. I've been (to the Show Me Center) with another team (Northeast Louisiana) and I know what kind of support they have. But I'd rather play a team like that than to go some place and play in front of 200 people."

Louisiana Tech at SEMO

7:30 p.m., Show Me Center

Probable Starters

SEMO (2-1)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Mike Branson F Jr. 6-6 12.3

Roderick Johnson F Jr. 6-6 11.8

Bud Eley C Sr. 6-10 12.3

Cory Johnson G Sr. 6-0 9.7

Jeramy Biles G So. 5-11 3.3

LA. TECH (1-0)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Kendrick Spruel F Jr. 6-9 17.0

Fred Smith F Jr. 6-6 2.0

Omar Cooper G Jr. 6-4 14.0

Derek Smith G Jr. 6-2 11.0

Lonnie Cooper G Sr. 6-5 13.0

Series: SEMO leads 1-0

Last meeting: SEMO won 69-65 in 1996

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