Top-seeded SEMO men’s basketball team head to OVC Tournament

SEMO men's basketball team snatched their first OVC regular-season title, taking the first seed going into the OVC tournament this week.

As the tournament's top seed, the Redhawks enjoy a double bye. If they win their first game in the semifinals on Friday, they advance directly to Saturday's championship game.

SEMO forward Brendan Terry recently made the All-OVC Second Team. Terry was questioned on how the team has been preparing themselves in practice for the big stage.

“A lot of people feel like when you get like a whole week off... sometimes you get a little rusty just from that and it takes a little while to get adjusted to game speed so we were trying to play hard in practice today and make sure were ready for that moment, “ said Terry.

The Redhawks' point guard, Rob Martin, who earned the All-OVC First Team honors, has been averaging 25 points and 5 assists over the last 3 games. Along with the rest of the team, this will be Martin’s first OVC tournament.

“I'm excited... this time you can't lose or you go home... Staying locked in, living in the moment, having fun while doing it has been the biggest thing that stuck with me and what I’ve been living by,” said Martin.

As Martin prepares for the tournament, his biggest source of motivation comes from a saying often said by his coaches.

“No opportunities wasted, “said Martin.

Coach Brad Korn was recently named OVC Coach of the Year after leading a remarkable turnaround. Last season, the team struggled with a 9-22 overall record and was 4-14 in conference play. This year, they have surged to a 20-11 overall record, 15-5 in conference play, and now sit at #1 in the OVC.

Korn was asked about his thoughts on the upcoming tournament. Since this is the first OVC tournament for all his players, he was questioned about whether their inexperience was a concern.

“I think that the more that they don't have to worry about anything other than just coming and playing and trusting one another, then it's just at the end of the day that it’s just basketball and that's what they've done their whole life,” said Korn.

The Redhawks await the winner of Game 3 between No. 8 UT Martin and No. 4 Little Rock. The winner of Game 3 will face the Redhawks at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN.