SBC Tournament Opener Set for 7 p.m. Tip; Ticket Office Extends Hours

TROY, Ala. - The Sun Belt Conference Tournament first-round game between eighth-seeded Troy and No. 9 Middle Tennessee will tip off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Trojan Arena, Director of Athletics Steve Dennis announced today in conjunction with the league office. The Troy ticket office is also extending its hours this week to facilitate fans buying tickets in advance.

The Trojans (13-16, 8-10 Sun Belt) earned the home spot after rallying for a thrilling 92-88 overtime win at 2006-07 regular season and defending league tournament champion South Alabama last night. They also received needed help from New Orleans and Arkansas State and had the right combination in the other three league matchups.

The ticket office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and will open at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Current season ticket holders have until the close of business on Tuesday to secure their same seats and to order additional tickets. Non-season ticket holders can purchase open reserved seats on those days, but the tickets will not be assigned until Wednesday.

Tickets are $20 for floor seats and $15 for reserved seats. General admission tickets are $10, while youth tickets (ages 3 to 12) are $5. Children under three and Troy University students with a valid ID will be admitted free.

For more information, please call 334-670-3680 locally or 877-878-9467 toll free.

Last night was absolutely amazing for our kids, our staff and our fans,? Head Coach Don Maestri said Sunday. Now, we have a chance to start March Madness in our own building for the first time since 1993. We need everyone in Troy and everyone on campus to come out Wednesday night and support us.?

Under the new system, the top three seeds earn byes into the quarterfinal round of the tournament, which will start next Sunday at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La.

SUN BELT CONFERENCE MEN'S TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS

Wednesday, Feb. 28 - First Round at campus sites

No. 10 Arkansas-Little Rock at No. 7 New Orleans, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Middle Tennessee at No. 8 Troy, 7 p.m.
No. 11 Florida International at No. 6 Florida Atlantic, TBA
No. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette at No. 5 North Texas, TBA
No. 13 Denver at No. 4 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA

Sunday, March 4 -- Quarterfinals in Lafayette, La.

Game 1-- No. 1 South Alabama vs. MT-Troy winner, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2-- DU-ULM winner vs. ULL-UNT winner, 3 p.m.
Game 3 -- No. 2 Arkansas State vs. UALR-UNO winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4-- No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. FIU-FAU winner, 9 p.m.

Monday, March 5 -- Semifinals

Game 5-- G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6-- G3 winner vs. G4 winner, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6

Championship game, 8 p.m.

Troy University Athletics