Troy University Athletics
Men?s Hoops Practice Update
10/28/2009 5:30:00 PM | Basketball (M)
The Troy basketball team has been practicing for over a week and the coaches are beginning to see the team round into shape.
While the squad is not quite ready for its home opener with Piedmont on November 14, head coach Don Maestri has been impressed with the speed the group, specifically his newcomers, have picked up the offensive system.
“Our offense is ahead of schedule of where we were last year because of the experienced guys we have coming back and the fact that the returners are really helping our new players learn the system quickly,” Maestri said.
While the offense is off to a great start, the veteran head coach is more concerned about getting his squad up to speed of the defensive end.
“The defense still has a ways to go,” Maestri said. “One of the most important parts of our defense is the center position. That just happens to be the most inexperienced position on the team. We have a lot of work to do to get the center to understand how our zone works. Most of that will come from getting him experience in game situations.”
Troy lost its two players from a year ago that played the post position and will rely on juniors Trayce Macon and Bernard Toombs and senior transfer Yamene Coleman to control the paint in 2009-10.
Maestri knows for his team to be successful those players need to continue to gain experience, but he is also aware a lot of that experience cannot come on the practice court.
“Unfortunately, that experience comes from real games and not practices,” he said. “You don't learn how to react in practice because everything is planned. Knowing what to do when things happen unexpectedly is key.”
“We can't ever evaluate how a player is going to do in a game until they play in a game. The real evaluation will come when we really play outside competition. You need that pressure that comes with a game that you can't duplicate in practice.”
Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are still available. For more information 1-877-878-WINS.
