Troy University Athletics
Troy Hoops Opens Practice Friday
10/15/2009 8:15:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY – With an August trip abroad in the rear-view mirror, the Troy basketball team begins practice on Friday as it prepares for the 2009-10 season.
The Trojans players and staff are anxious to get on the floor and begin their preparations for the fast-approaching season.
“We're excited to get started,” head coach Don Maestri said. “We have an experienced group back. I think it's always fun when you have high expectations and everybody is excited to get started with practice.”
Those high expectations are based on the immense talent returning from last year's 19 win squad, a group with few questions marks and lots of experience.
“Because of our experience we are further along in terms of answering questions about the team that you normally have about the upcoming season,” Maestri said. “What we don't have answered is how many games we are going to win or lose.”
Despite last season's success, Maestri doesn't think his squad or coaches have any added pressure going into the new year. They are going to approach the season the same way he and associate head coach David Felix have the last 27 years.
“Over the years we have been picked from first to last,” he said. “I don't think it really means a lot when you start practice. I think everyone is undefeated when practice is started, everyone has high hopes.”
“I don't approach practice any different whether we are picked high or low. We just want to have the players prepared for the first game as well as we can. Make sure they are prepared for all situations.”
Despite his cool demeanor on the topic, the veteran head coach does feel a little different going into the 2009-10 campaign.
“You always look forward to the season, but it is a little more exciting when others have high expectations for your team,” Maestri said. “Some years you are expected to have better teams than others and this is one of those years for us, so it adds a little extra excitement.”
The Trojans will practice on Friday. Their first game action will come in an exhibition game with West Alabama on November 9, and they will open the regular season on November 14 in Trojan Arena against Piedmont.
The Trojans players and staff are anxious to get on the floor and begin their preparations for the fast-approaching season.
“We're excited to get started,” head coach Don Maestri said. “We have an experienced group back. I think it's always fun when you have high expectations and everybody is excited to get started with practice.”
Those high expectations are based on the immense talent returning from last year's 19 win squad, a group with few questions marks and lots of experience.
“Because of our experience we are further along in terms of answering questions about the team that you normally have about the upcoming season,” Maestri said. “What we don't have answered is how many games we are going to win or lose.”
Despite last season's success, Maestri doesn't think his squad or coaches have any added pressure going into the new year. They are going to approach the season the same way he and associate head coach David Felix have the last 27 years.
“Over the years we have been picked from first to last,” he said. “I don't think it really means a lot when you start practice. I think everyone is undefeated when practice is started, everyone has high hopes.”
“I don't approach practice any different whether we are picked high or low. We just want to have the players prepared for the first game as well as we can. Make sure they are prepared for all situations.”
Despite his cool demeanor on the topic, the veteran head coach does feel a little different going into the 2009-10 campaign.
“You always look forward to the season, but it is a little more exciting when others have high expectations for your team,” Maestri said. “Some years you are expected to have better teams than others and this is one of those years for us, so it adds a little extra excitement.”
The Trojans will practice on Friday. Their first game action will come in an exhibition game with West Alabama on November 9, and they will open the regular season on November 14 in Trojan Arena against Piedmont.
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