Ohio Valley report | NCAA Tournament report

SportsLine.com report
March 16, 2000

A Glance at 2001

Southeast Missouri should contend for the OVC title again next season, but has some holes to fill before then. It will be a perimeter-strong team with both starting guards returning, but the Indians must replace both starters in the post and small forward Mike Branson.

Indians coach Gary Garner will probably land another solid class of recruits, and he's not afraid to go after junior college transfers. His 1999 class of recruits was rated 39th-best nationally by one recruiting service - not bad for a mid-major team -- and that will be the key again next season.

The Coach

Gary Garner, in his third season as the Indians coach, might become a hot commodity among the coaching ranks. He has been courted by several schools in the past, including Kansas State, but let it be known he had a job to do in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Garner built Division II Fort Hays State into a national power, and he's on his way to making Southeast Missouri an OVC stalwart. He is 57-28 in three seasons with the Indians.

Who'll Be Back

Starting guards Michael Stokes and Antonio Short lead the returnees, but they're the only starters returning next season. That's not to say the Indians will be short on experience.

Nyah Jones, a 6-11 junior college transfer, played quality minutes this season and could emerge as a force in the middle. Emmanuel McCutchison, also a JC transfer, could move into the starting job at small forward after playing a considerable role this year. Among others battling for playing time, or possibly starting jobs, will be 6-7 freshman forward Drew DeMond, 6-1 junior guard Amory Sanders and 6-0 sophomore guard Fred Abraham.

Who's Gone

Three starters leave coach Gary Garner with some gaping holes to fill. Roderick Johnson, a 6-6 power forward and the OVC tournament MVP, is one of the departing seniors, along with 6-8 senior center Brian Bunche and 6-6 senior Mike Branson. All three were key players on a championship team, accounting for a combined 30 points and 18 rebounds per game.

Key Newcomers

The Indians had one redshirt freshman this season: DeMarcus Hence, a 6-6 forward from Memphis. Hence played for Memphis Fairley High where he gained some valuable experience in a tough city league.