I can appreciate their point. It would be great to see the Show Me Center full for Redhawks games. The place would be rockin'. There's no doubt about it. I'd love to see it too.

But that's wishful thinking. There's no reason to show up to the Show Me Center these days. I get in for free with a media pass, and I don't get very excited to see the product on the floor.

It has nothing to do with the personalities. Zac Roman is easy to work with, insightful and knows basketball. The players I've talked with are nice guys. The problem is that there isn't enough talent to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Southeast's first problem is that it's using about seven scholarship players. Even if Roman wanted to try someone else, he can't. His options are way too limited. With injuries, transfers and two recruits unable to make the grade, the cupboard is bare.

Second, Southeast sports some nice role players. Kenard Moore can shoot 3-pointers, but he's struggled to handle the pressure of the team leaning on him to provide a lot of offense. Moore appears to be a guy you count on to come off the bench, knock down some 3s and give your team a boost. He doesn't appear to be a guy who carries an offense. Calvin Williams is putting together a nice season, but imagine if you had a real center, someone a few inches taller and a few pounds heavier who could bang with anyone. Then you move Williams to power forward and I bet his numbers would increase. Bijon Jones is the lone healthy point guard on the roster. How are you supposed to win with that setup?

The truth is that a winning product would bring fans back to the Show Me Center. When I was an undergrad at Loyola University Chicago, I was a member of a committee charged with increasing attendance at men's basketball games. We tried all kinds of gimmicks, give-a-ways, promotions and even free food. Everyone we spoke with said that a winning product would bring fans in. When I was a graduate student at Syracuse University, I saw first-hand the effect of winning. Students and people in the community wanted to go to games because they knew they'd see a quality product. I don't expect a Syracuse-level product, but a team that competes with the best in the OVC isn't too much to ask for in Cape Girardeau.

Until the men's basketball program fields a team that's competitive in the OVC, fans can't be blamed for not showing up. There's too much going on these days, and the cheapest ticket adult ticket is $9. I appreciate the effort of the players, but I don't want to see a blowout. It's no fun watching a team get lambasted. If it's between a movie or a Redhawks loss, I'm checking out the newest movie. When there's something worth watching at the Show Me Center, I'll be the first one to call on fans to get off their rears and get to games. Until then, I can't blame them.