Busting Brackets
Fansided

Southeast Missouri Basketball: Redhawks 2021-22 season preview and outlook

By Harry Schroeder

Southeast Missouri State Head Coach Brad Korn watches his team take on the University of Evansville Purple Aces at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The Purple Aces defeated the Redhawks 66-63 in overtime.Ue Bball Vs Semo 32
Southeast Missouri State Head Coach Brad Korn watches his team take on the University of Evansville Purple Aces at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The Purple Aces defeated the Redhawks 66-63 in overtime.Ue Bball Vs Semo 32 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Southeast Missouri basketball and other OVC teams hoping to knock off favored Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Southeast Missouri basketball and other OVC teams hoping to knock off favored Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference. /

2021-22 outlook for Southeast Missouri basketball

While Korn is building a program, not just a one-year team, the Redhawks will be competitive in the transitioning Ohio Valley Conference. His team has just two seniors and six freshmen. He is building for the long haul.

Two of the league’s better teams (Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State) have left the league and three teams have brand new coaching staffs. After the favorites of Belmont, Morehead State, and Murray State, gauging the rest of the league is like blindfolded dart-throwing.

The Redhawks play hard and are willing defenders and they were nearly a .500 conference team (9-11) last year and nearly everyone is returning. Preseason polls ranked them fourth. That is a reasonable spot.

If Korn’s four-guard offense is run efficiently, this team can play to that rating. Their best players are on the perimeter. Harris, Reed, Akenten, and Nicholas are the heart and soul of this team. If Harris and Nicholas can improve their three-point percentage this could be a dangerous offensive team.

Taylor’s health is a significant issue. If he isn’t 100% then Patterson or some of those freshmen have to carry the load in a league that features some outstanding post play in Belmont’s Nick Muszynski and Morehead State’s Johni Broome.

Next. Top 50 impact transfers for 2021-22. dark

How SEMO’s freshmen acclimate to Division 1 basketball is significant to watch. With some increased depth the Redhawks are a team that should be a top four or five team in this year’s Ohio Valley Conference.