Redhawks' backcourt duo blending together well early

Having too much talent is never a problem in athletics but having an abundance of ability in similar players can sometimes be a conundrum for a basketball coach.

Second-year Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball coach Brad Korn faced such a dilemma when he elected to recruit guard Phillip Russell out of Saint Louis University last spring when he already had a really good guard in sophomore DQ Nicholas.

“It’s human nature, as a player,” Korn explained recently, “DQ is looking around and thinking ‘OK, you’re bringing this guy in to replace me, because you didn’t recruit me,’ and all of that type of stuff.

“It was ‘No, we brought Phillip in to help SEMO and you two can play together.”

The dynamic duo will “play together” a lot tonight, as the Redhawks (5-5) visit Korn’s alma mater, and SEMO rival, Southern Illinois at 7 p.m.

At 5-foot-10, athletic, and skilled, Russell is a natural for any coach to put at point guard to run the offense. However, at 6-foot-1, athletic and skilled, albeit in a slightly different way, Nicholas could be viewed in the same manner and was often throughout the 57 games that he had played in (46 of which were starts) during his first two seasons.

“That is the beautiful thing about Phillip,” Korn said, “because he can play off the ball too, because of the way that he shoots the basketball. Now, DQ doesn’t have to necessarily just play in one position.”

Either player can run the point or be off the ball because both can handle, pass, drive, and score, though their offense can come in differing ways.

Russell can score via a 3-point shot (he is making a team-best 46 percent so far) or getting downhill on drives and finishing or getting to the free-throw line (he leads the Redhawks with 45 attempts this season). But he is also second on the squad with 26 assists.

Nicholas is playing about eight fewer minutes each night, as compared to last season, but his game is more efficient at both ends of the court.

He leads the Redhawks with a 52.5 shooting percentage and Korn lauded his ability on the defensive end of the floor.

“The reason that I think that they can play together is because of the way DQ defends,” Korn said. “It gives Phillip a break because now he doesn’t have to do everything from the point guard, the offensive position, and the defensive side of the ball, having to guard every point guard and go through every single ball screen.

“Phillip can be off the ball and (he and Nicholas) can be interchangeable.”

Korn has certainly liked what he has seen from Russell early in his SEMO career, however, he is also pleased with what Nicholas has done so far this year.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth in DQ,” Korn said. “He has been able to slide off the ball (offensively) and not have to have the ball in his hands. We put the ball in his hands too much last year and that is why his turnovers were so high.

“His statistics are great this season and I think it has a lot to do with Phil because each guy alleviates pressure from the other guy. They are similar and they complement each other because they both play with that fire and determination that you have to play with.”