Jan. 15, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Southeast Missouri State University basketball team may be at less than full strength when hosting Tennessee-Martin, 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Show Me Center.

Demetrius King will not play and Damarcus Hence, Adam Crader and John Boggio are all listed as questionable for Thursday night's key Ohio Valley Conference game.

Hence is recovering from two oral surgeries after having two teeth knocked out, King has an ankle and knee injury suffered in the Morehead State game, Crader suffered a displaced jaw during Tuesday's practice and Boggio has a pulled muscle in his side. Hence had one tooth knocked out in practice last week and one tooth knocked out in the Eastern Kentucky game.

Hence, King and Boggio have not practiced this week and King, Boggio and Crader will not practice on Wednesday. Hence will have a limited practice on Wednesday.

Starting center Brandon Griffin, the nation's 10th leading rebounder with an average of 10.6 boards per game, missed Monday's practice with a back injury but returned to practice on Tuesday.

"King is definitely out and right now it doesn't look good for the other players," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "Hopefully Hence will be able to see some limited minutes on Thursday night."