Troy University Athletics
Troy Opens Season with Pair at Home
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY – The wait will finally be over when the Troy men's basketball team opens its 2009-10 season on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm against Piedmont in Trojan Arena.
The Trojans will then play host to William Carey College on Monday night at 7 pm concluding a two-game home set to begin the new season. This is the first time Troy has played a pair of games at home to open a season since it hosted Georgia Southwestern and Huntingdon to open the 1969-70 season.
Head Coach Don Maestri is beginning his 28th season on the bench for the Trojans. He brings 457 career victories into the season and with those wins comes vast knowledge.
The veteran coach knows that for his team to be successful against Piedmont on Saturday it is going to have to perform at a much higher level than it did in its exhibition win.
“Obviously, for the home opener we are going to have to play a lot better than we did on Monday night against West Alabama,” Maestri said. “We were over anxious on Monday. We have to stop trying to do everything in a hurry and play better basketball. We will have a higher talent level than Piedmont, but the key will be how we execute.”
The Trojans trailed UWA by five points with 2:35 left in regulation, but were able to rally and force overtime before ultimately earning a 99-93 victory in overtime.
“We had pressure on us against West Alabama, which is good because we won,” Maestri said. “You get a little nervous because there is more pressure on the home team. That is something you have to get used to. It was good experience to play at home in front of a great crowd with that added pressure because we won.
“Overall, we are going to have to play a lot better on Saturday for us to feel any degree of satisfaction regardless of outcome.”
The Trojans return a trio of all-conference performers in Richard Delk, Brandon Hazzard and Michael Vogler. Delk missed most of Monday's exhibition game with an ankle sprain, but is expected back.
Hazzard and Vogler each chipped in 20 points in the win as they picked up some slack with Delk on the sideline. Hazzard drained the game-tying jumper with 22 seconds remaining that forced the overtime period.
A couple of newcomers made their presence felt in the thrilling win over the Tigers. Junior college transfers Levan Patsatsia (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Vernon Taylor (eight points and eight rebounds) played key roles in the victory.
The three-headed post monster the Trojans hope to showcase this season also was a focus on Monday. The starter, transfer Yamene Coleman, scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds with two blocks. Reserve Trayce Macon posted 14 points while hitting two 3-pointers.
But it was the third head that stole the show in the paint. Junior big man Bernard Toombs, who played just eight minutes on the night, picked up a crucial block and defensive rebound in regulation and eventually scored the bucket that put Troy on top for good.
Waiting for Troy after its opener with Piedmont is William Carey on Monday night, once again in Trojan Arena. Last season, Troy defeated the Crusaders 80-68 behind double-figure scoring from four players including Hazzard and Vogler.
This season seven Division I transfers have joined the WCU roster and the team is expected to present quite a challenge to the Trojans.
“William Carey is going to be on a whole different level than Piedmont,” Maestri said. “They have seven Division I transfers. They do a great job of getting Division I players. They will have a really challenging level of talent for us compared to Piedmont. It will be a much more competitive contest.”
Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 1 pm, while Monday night's contest will begin at 7:05 pm. Season tickets are still available for Troy Men's and Women's basketball. For more information contact the Troy ticket office at 1-877-878-WINS.
The Trojans will then play host to William Carey College on Monday night at 7 pm concluding a two-game home set to begin the new season. This is the first time Troy has played a pair of games at home to open a season since it hosted Georgia Southwestern and Huntingdon to open the 1969-70 season.
Head Coach Don Maestri is beginning his 28th season on the bench for the Trojans. He brings 457 career victories into the season and with those wins comes vast knowledge.
The veteran coach knows that for his team to be successful against Piedmont on Saturday it is going to have to perform at a much higher level than it did in its exhibition win.
“Obviously, for the home opener we are going to have to play a lot better than we did on Monday night against West Alabama,” Maestri said. “We were over anxious on Monday. We have to stop trying to do everything in a hurry and play better basketball. We will have a higher talent level than Piedmont, but the key will be how we execute.”
The Trojans trailed UWA by five points with 2:35 left in regulation, but were able to rally and force overtime before ultimately earning a 99-93 victory in overtime.
“We had pressure on us against West Alabama, which is good because we won,” Maestri said. “You get a little nervous because there is more pressure on the home team. That is something you have to get used to. It was good experience to play at home in front of a great crowd with that added pressure because we won.
“Overall, we are going to have to play a lot better on Saturday for us to feel any degree of satisfaction regardless of outcome.”
The Trojans return a trio of all-conference performers in Richard Delk, Brandon Hazzard and Michael Vogler. Delk missed most of Monday's exhibition game with an ankle sprain, but is expected back.
Hazzard and Vogler each chipped in 20 points in the win as they picked up some slack with Delk on the sideline. Hazzard drained the game-tying jumper with 22 seconds remaining that forced the overtime period.
A couple of newcomers made their presence felt in the thrilling win over the Tigers. Junior college transfers Levan Patsatsia (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Vernon Taylor (eight points and eight rebounds) played key roles in the victory.
The three-headed post monster the Trojans hope to showcase this season also was a focus on Monday. The starter, transfer Yamene Coleman, scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds with two blocks. Reserve Trayce Macon posted 14 points while hitting two 3-pointers.
But it was the third head that stole the show in the paint. Junior big man Bernard Toombs, who played just eight minutes on the night, picked up a crucial block and defensive rebound in regulation and eventually scored the bucket that put Troy on top for good.
Waiting for Troy after its opener with Piedmont is William Carey on Monday night, once again in Trojan Arena. Last season, Troy defeated the Crusaders 80-68 behind double-figure scoring from four players including Hazzard and Vogler.
This season seven Division I transfers have joined the WCU roster and the team is expected to present quite a challenge to the Trojans.
“William Carey is going to be on a whole different level than Piedmont,” Maestri said. “They have seven Division I transfers. They do a great job of getting Division I players. They will have a really challenging level of talent for us compared to Piedmont. It will be a much more competitive contest.”
Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 1 pm, while Monday night's contest will begin at 7:05 pm. Season tickets are still available for Troy Men's and Women's basketball. For more information contact the Troy ticket office at 1-877-878-WINS.
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