Better Than it Seems

Southeast Missouri’s Loss at Bradley

(St. Louis, MO) – Southeast Missouri lost its opener by 28 points, but it is better than it seems. No, we’re not putting lipstick on a pig, there were some encouraging signs for a Redhawk team that won just nine games last season.

Brad Korn’s squad was overwhelmed during the game’s opening four minutes and would never recover, in terms of winning the game, but SEMO players gathered themselves during the competition’s first media timeout, Korn made some substitutions and the newlook Redhawks settled in and became competitive.

One of those substitutions was B.J. Ward. The sophomore guard hit back-to-back three-pointers and the entire roster seemed to settle in.

Korn’s squad employs several newcomers, but it was Ward who averaged four points and nineteen minutes per game last year, who tallied a team-high (and career high) 17 points. Junior college transfer Damarion Walkup added eleven.

Korn says Ward’s explosive opening game could build his confidence for season-long success.

The Redhawks had twice as many turnovers (17) as assists (8), but many were of the ‘unforced error’ variety. Call it opening night jitters or players being unfamiliar with one another or even just players trying to do too much. Those errors will reduce dramatically as the Redhawks mature together.

They were better than it seems.

Depth and Defense

When a team allows 88 points you don’t think that team played good defense. But this is better than it seems. The Redhawks claimed eleven steals and point guard Rob Martin harassed the Missouri Valley’s preseason player of the year all night. Duke Deen didn’t play poorly, but he was held to seven points and four assists.

While Martin did a great job on Deen, Korn also noted the Bradley guard didn’t get rattled. He also says some of those steal attempts made his team vulnerable to other Bradley offensive actions.

SEMO scored 19 points off turnovers and 26 points in the paint. Those kinds of ‘effort statistics’ are the kinds of things that pay off long term.

Korn runs player after player off his bench that are 6’3 to 6’8. Athletic wings are a serious strength of this Ohio Valley Conference team. Then Korn has three 7-footers to rotate in the post. This team is better than it seems.

Other newcomers Troy Cole, Brendan Terry and Teddy Washington are slashers that are dangerous offensively and active defensively.

When Braxton Stacker returns to the lineup, this team becomes seriously deep. He is SEMO’s most experienced player not named Rob Martin. Stacker started 26 games last season and averaged 7.4 points. Stacker started his career at Murray State.

His broken foot is healing and the 6’5 junior should be back by the end of the month.

SEMO Trajectory

During Korn’s first three years the team increased win totals each season, until they won the OVC Tournament and went to the 2023 Big Dance. Last year’s team was hit hard by portal transition.

Korn’s response was to dig heavy into the junior college world and it looks like most of those juco transfers are good enough. Walkup, Cole, Terry, Washington are all juco wings.

While SEMO needs more from their three 7-footers. Junior center Elliot Lowndes (John A. Logan), David Idada and Mason Hanback combined to tally four points and six rebounds. SEMO needs a threat in the post.

Vanderbilt is up next. The Redhawks visit the Commodores on Sunday and then finally have two home games next week. SEMO plays a difficult schedule prior to OVC play. They will tangle with two league favorites. UMKC has been picked to win the Summit League and Lipscomb is favored in the ASUN. MVC contender Murray State, Southern Conference power Chattanooga and a 22-win UNC Asheville team are a part of Korn’s rugged schedule.

Korn believes his team will improve all season.

The fifth year coach wants his team ready for league play and the conference tournament. His team may be better than it seems.

Do Good