Redhawks Open Season at Saint Louis
Southeast Missouri tips off its 2018-19 season two hours north on Interstate 55 at Preseason Atlantic 10 favorite Saint Louis Tuesday. Game time is set for 7 p.m., CT, at Chaifetz Arena.

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Tuesday's game live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Glen Johnson will call the action. Tuesday's game will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest Plus. Video can be accessed online at ESPN+. Live stats are available at SLUBillikens.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOMBB.

Season-Openers
Southeast Missouri is 10-17 in season-opening games since moving to the NCAA Division I ranks in 1991-92. SEMO opens a season on the road for the 12th time in 13 years. The Redhawks last began a season against Saint Louis on Nov. 8, 2013. SLU beat SEMO, 87-64, in St. Louis that year. Rick Ray is 1-2 in season-openers as SEMO's head coach. The Redhawks have never opened a season with a road win during their NCAA Division I era.

Series History
Saint Louis leads its all-time series against Southeast Missouri by a count of 10-4. SLU won five of the last six meetings between these teams. The Redhawks are 0-3 at Chaifetz Arena. SEMO and SLU hook up for the second-straight season. The Billikens beat the Redhawks, 78-48, on Dec. 22, 2017 in the final non-conference game a year ago.

Brewer Lands Preseason All-OVC Honors
Sophomore guard Ledarrius Brewer was named to the 2018-19 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team on Oct. 23. A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Brewer averaged 14.5 points per game as SEMO's second-leading scorer as a freshman. He played in 31 games, made 27 starts and led the Redhawks with 71 three-pointers made. Brewer ranked 14th in the OVC in scoring, 15th in free throw percentage (.740), sixth in 3-point field goals made (2.3 per game) and 21st in minutes played (29.4 mpg). He scored double figures in 24 of his 27 starts, while also leading the team in blocks (16). Additionally, Brewer rated second in the team in assists (57) and third in steals (29) as an OVC All-Newcomer selection during his rookie campaign.

Exhibition Recap
The Redhawks beat Southwest Baptist, 85-78, in its only exhibition tilt on Oct. 27. Ledarrius Brewer paved the way with 25 points, knocked down three 3-pointers and made 10-of-11 free throws. Brewer also buried a half court shot to give Southeast Missouri a 39-38 edge at the half. The Redhawks then outscored the Bearcats, 46-40, in the game's final 20 minutes to secure the win. SEMO made 27-of-35 free throws and received 34 points from its bench.

Welcome to Division I
Nine of the 15 players on Southeast Missouri's 2018-19 roster have never played at the NCAA Division I level. Skyler Hogan, Khalil Cuffee, Alex Caldwell, Jordan Love, Oscar Kao, Nygal Russell, Jack Lake, Sage Tolbert and Gabe McGlothan are new to the NCAA Division I scene this year.

Ray Begins Fourth Year
Rick Ray begins his fourth year as Southeast Missouri's head coach in 2018-19. From top to bottom, SEMO has its most talented roster with Ray at the helm. The Redhawks finished their 2017-18 season with an overall record of 14-17 and 8-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO finished seventh in the OVC standings, three spots ahead of where it was picked in the league's Preseason Poll (10th).

Eligible for Postseason Play
The NCAA's academic and membership affairs granted Southeast Missouri full relief from all practice and competition restrictions for the 2018-19 academic year related to the team's four-year Academic Progress Rate score. Having improved their score and put in place a number of departmental enhancements, the Redhawks will be able to compete in the postseason and there will be zero restrictions this upcoming season. In 2017-18, SEMO was unable to compete in the postseason due to a NCAA Academic Progress Rate historic penalty.

Roster Breakdown
Southeast Missouri's 15-man roster includes seven returnees and eight newcomers. The Redhawks return two starters in guards Ledarrius Brewer and Jonathan Dalton. Brewer ranked second on the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game in 31 games and 27 starts as a freshman, while Dalton started 30 games at points guard, leading the team in assists (168) and steals (38) a year ago.

Starting Debuts
Sophomore forward Isaiah Gable, junior guard Skyler Hogan and freshman forward Sage Tolbert are expected to make their first career starts when the Redhawks take the court against Saint Louis Tuesday. Gable saw action in 15 games off the bench in his rookie campaign last season. Hogan sat out the 2017-18 campaign due to NCAA transfer regulations after joining Southeast Missouri from Embry-Riddle. He led the Eagles with 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during his last season of competition in 2016-17. Tolbert comes to SEMO from Combine Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was Combine Academy's top scorer and rebounder with 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 38 starts.

Season 112
The 2018-19 campaign marks the 112th season of Southeast Missouri basketball. It is also SEMO's 28th season at the NCAA Division I level. The Redhawks are 326-460 overall and 183-269 in the Ohio Valley Conference as a NCAA Division I program. SEMO also has 15 OVC Tournament appearances, one OVC regular-season championship (2000), one OVC Tournament title (2000) and one NCAA Tournament berth (2000) in its Division I era.

OVC Top Five
The Redhawks ranked among the top five Ohio Valley Conference leaders in six categories last season. Southeast Missouri led the OVC in 3-point field goal percentage (.392), was second in 3-point field goals made (9.3), third in both scoring offense (76 ppg) and field goal percentage (.460), fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.1) and fifth in assists (13.6 per game). In league games only, the Redhawks rated second in 3-point field goals made (10 per game) and third in scoring offense (76.8 ppg).

3-Point Record Again
Southeast Missouri drained a single-season school record 289 three-pointers in 2017-18, averaging 9.3 per game. SEMO made 10 or more 3-pointers in 15 contests. The Redhawks buried a season-best 16 three-pointers at Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 26). SEMO's 289 threes surpassed its previous record of 263 the year before. The Redhawks topped the OVC with a .392 three-point field goal percentage.

Big Freshman Year
Guard Ledarrius Brewer is looking to build on his big rookie season. Brewer is Southeast Missouri's top returning scorer, who averaged 14.5 points in 31 contests and 27 starts as a freshman. He ranked second on the team in scoring and led the Redhawks with 71 three-pointers made. Brewer ranked first on the team in blocks (16), third in steals (29) and second in assists (57) He rated 14th in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring, 15th in free throw percentage (.740), sixth in 3-point field goals made (2.3 per game) and 21st in minutes played (29.4 mpg). Brewer scored double figures in 24 of his 27 starts.

Running Point
Senior Jonathan Dalton is back as Southeast Missouri's starting point guard. Dalton, who hails from New Orleans, Louisiana, started 30 games and led the Redhawks in assists (168) and steals (38) last season. He also surpassed 200 assists in his career (209). Dalton is one of four players on this year's roster who are capable of playing the point guard spot. Fellow returnee Donnie Lewis and newcomers Oscar Kao and Alex Caldwell are the others. It's the first time under head coach Rick Ray where there have been this many players available to play point guard.

80 or More
Southeast Missouri scored 80 or more points a total of 13 times in 2017-18. The Redhawks 24-point victory (83-59) over Hannibal-LaGrange (Nov. 28) was their largest of the year. That was SEMO's biggest margin of victory in a non-conference game since the Redhawks beat Central Arkansas, 87-63, on Dec. 1, 2016. SEMO scored a season-high 95 points at Louisiana Tech (Nov. 13), its most in a game under head coach Rick Ray.

Season Sweeps
The Redhawks recorded three sweeps of Ohio Valley Conference opponents in 2017-18. Southeast Missouri swept SIU Edwardsville, Morehead State and Eastern Illinois. The Redhawks now have a total of five season sweeps of league opponents under head coach Rick Ray.

About Saint Louis
Saint Louis was picked No. 1 in this year's Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll. SLU claimed 15 of the 26 first-place votes to finish ahead of Saint Joseph's, Davidson and George Mason. Additionally, the Billikens placed a league-high three players on the A-10's preseason All-Conference teams. Senior guard Javon Bess and sophomore Jordan Goodwin earned second-team honors, while forward Hasahn French secured third-team accolades. This year marks the first that SLU has been picked to win the A-10 in the league's preseason poll. 

Up Next
Southeast Missouri travels to Missouri Valley Conference member Bradley on Nov. 10. 

Happy Birthday
A total of five players will celebrate their birthdays during the 2018-19 basketball season. Alex Caldwell (Nov. 18), Mark Laros (Dec. 10), Nygal Russell (Feb. 2), Gabe McGlothan (Mar. 3) and Donnie Lewis (Mar. 7) form that group. Here is the Redhawks entire birthday ledger.
Ledarrius Brewer    Sept. 24, 1998
Alex Caldwell    Nov. 18, 1999
Khalil Cuffee    July 26, 1998
Jonathan Dalton    Mar. 26, 1997
Isaiah Gable    July 27, 1998
Skyler Hogan    June 25, 1997
Oscar Kao    Sept. 22, 1998
Jack Lake    Mar. 14, 1996
Mark Laros    Dec. 10, 1996
Donnie Lewis    Mar. 7, 1996
Jordan Love    June 21, 2000
Gabe McGlothan    Mar. 3, 1999
Nygal Russell    Feb. 2, 1999
Sage Tolbert    July 16, 1999
Quatarrius Wilson    June 26, 1996

OVC Preseason Poll
Southeast Missouri was picked ninth in the 2018-19 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll. The Redhawks collected 82 points in the overall voting by OVC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors. Belmont (227 pts., 8 first-place votes) was tabbed the preseason-favorite followed by Murray State (221 pts., 9 first-place votes), Jacksonville State (211 pts., 7 first-place votes), Austin Peay (188 pts.), Tennessee Tech (135 pts.), Eastern Kentucky (118 pts.), Eastern Illinois (116 pts.), Tennessee State (101 pts.), SEMO, Morehead State (78 pts.), UT Martin (77 pts.) and SIU Edwardsville (30 pts.). Belmont guard/forward Dylan Windler was voted Preseason OVC Player of the Year.

2018-19 Schedule
The Redhawks have 31 regular-season games, including 14 at the Show Me Center this season. SEMO plays away from home in five of its first six contests with its opener two hours north on Interstate 55 at Saint Louis (Nov. 6). The Redhawks also visit Bradley (Nov. 10) during opening week. SLU, picked as the Atlantic 10-favorite in several early preseason predictions, went 17-16 overall a year ago. This season will be the 15th meeting between the teams. The Redhawks host NCAA Division II Quincy University (Nov. 12) in its home-opener. After that, SEMO will face Jacksonville (Nov. 16), Chattanooga (Nov. 17) and South Alabama (Nov. 19) at the South Alabama Tournament in Mobile prior to Thanksgiving. Home games with Missouri S&T (Nov. 27), Western Illinois (Dec. 1), regional-rival Southern Illinois (Dec. 8) and Abilene Christian (Dec. 21), and road tilts at Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 4), The Citadel (Dec. 15) and Atlantic Coast Conference member Florida State (Dec. 17) make up the the remainder of the non-conference slate. SEMO squares off against SIU for the 116th time in the all-time series which dates back to 1914. The Redhawks square off against Florida State for just the second time. FSU reached the Elite Eight of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and compiled an overall record of 23-12 along the way. SEMO's 18-game OVC schedule affords the Redhawks home games in three of their first four contests. The Redhawks begin league play at SIU Edwardsville (Jan. 3) before hosting a three-game home stand that includes UT Martin (Jan. 5), Austin Peay (Jan. 10) and Murray State (Jan. 12). SEMO faces UTM, APSU, Murray State, SIUE, Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State and Belmont twice in conference action this year. Belmont visits Cape Girardeau for the regular-season finale on Mar. 2. Road games at Morehead State (Jan. 17) and Eastern Kentucky (Jan. 19), and home matchups with Tennessee Tech (Feb. 7) and Jacksonville State (Feb. 9) complete the Redhawks OVC schedule.