Troy University Athletics
Trojans Aim to Bounce Back at UAB
11/23/2009 8:00:00 PM | Basketball (M)
BIRMINGHAM – After a disappointing second half letdown at Florida, the Troy men's basketball aims to reverse its fortunes against in-state rival UAB on Tuesday night.
Despite leading Florida at halftime, the Trojans faltered in the second half and fell to the Gators 80-58. Chief among Troy's second half struggles was its shooting percentage. The Trojans shot just 32 percent from the field and an even lower 22 percent from 3-point range after the half.
Troy head coach Don Maestri knows for his team to emerge victorious on Tuesday, it will have to reverse its shooting woes.
“We didn't shoot he ball real well against Florida,” Maestri said. “We are going to have to shoot the ball a lot better to make it a competitive game against UAB.”
The Trojans (2-1) are shooting 48.6 percent from the field through three games and will need a return to form from their senior trio of guards on Tuesday night if they are to be successful against the Blazers.
Richard Delk was the only one of Troy's senior all-conference trio to post double-digit scoring with 15 points. Brandon Hazzard (17.7 ppg) and Michael Vogler (13.3 ppg) will be counted on once more to help shoulder the load.
On the positive side, Troy did continue its improved rebounding. Thus far in 2009-10, Troy is out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 15 rebounds per game and are pulling down over 50 boards a contest. Senior center Yamene Coleman is pacing the Trojans with a 7.7 rpg average.
UAB (4-1) is coming off an impressive home-opening win over Georgia and in Maestri's eyes Blazers coach Mike Davis has done an excellent job of replacing lost talent from a year ago.
“UAB is a surprise team so far,” Maestri said. “They lost a lot from last year, but have replaced those guys with some really talented players. I think UAB is a team that will compete for a championship in Conference USA.
“They beat Georgia on Saturday night in a game where the score was really closer than the game was. I go to watch most of that game. They are shooting the ball really well, especially from 3-point range. They are shooting over 40 percent as team from three. I think they are overall a very good team.”
Leading the charge on the offensive end is a player Troy is very familiar with – Louisiana-Lafayette transfer Elijah Millsap. The junior swingman is scoring more than 16 points per game and has hit 7-of-15 3-point attempts in the team's first five games. In three career games against Troy Millsap has averaged 12.6 ppg with six rebounds.
Returning post player Howard Crawford is chipping in with 14.8 ppg a night, while also showing a little range himself. The 6-foot-8, 240 pounder has hit 5-of-7 trey attempts this year.
Third-year starting point guard Aaron Johnson leads the team with 30 steals. The Blazers are forced Georgia into 17 turnovers on Saturday.
UAB defeated Troy in the Trojans' home-opener last season 87-66, a game missed by Vogler. In the rematch on December 20 in Birmingham, Hazzard scored 27 points, but was unable to help the Trojans overcome a 34-37 halftime deficit as they fell 73-68.
Tip-off is set for 7 pm on Tuesday night at UAB's Bartow Arena. Barry McKnight and Jerry Miller will bring you all the action from courtside on the Troy ISP Network.
Despite leading Florida at halftime, the Trojans faltered in the second half and fell to the Gators 80-58. Chief among Troy's second half struggles was its shooting percentage. The Trojans shot just 32 percent from the field and an even lower 22 percent from 3-point range after the half.
Troy head coach Don Maestri knows for his team to emerge victorious on Tuesday, it will have to reverse its shooting woes.
“We didn't shoot he ball real well against Florida,” Maestri said. “We are going to have to shoot the ball a lot better to make it a competitive game against UAB.”
The Trojans (2-1) are shooting 48.6 percent from the field through three games and will need a return to form from their senior trio of guards on Tuesday night if they are to be successful against the Blazers.
Richard Delk was the only one of Troy's senior all-conference trio to post double-digit scoring with 15 points. Brandon Hazzard (17.7 ppg) and Michael Vogler (13.3 ppg) will be counted on once more to help shoulder the load.
On the positive side, Troy did continue its improved rebounding. Thus far in 2009-10, Troy is out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 15 rebounds per game and are pulling down over 50 boards a contest. Senior center Yamene Coleman is pacing the Trojans with a 7.7 rpg average.
UAB (4-1) is coming off an impressive home-opening win over Georgia and in Maestri's eyes Blazers coach Mike Davis has done an excellent job of replacing lost talent from a year ago.
“UAB is a surprise team so far,” Maestri said. “They lost a lot from last year, but have replaced those guys with some really talented players. I think UAB is a team that will compete for a championship in Conference USA.
“They beat Georgia on Saturday night in a game where the score was really closer than the game was. I go to watch most of that game. They are shooting the ball really well, especially from 3-point range. They are shooting over 40 percent as team from three. I think they are overall a very good team.”
Leading the charge on the offensive end is a player Troy is very familiar with – Louisiana-Lafayette transfer Elijah Millsap. The junior swingman is scoring more than 16 points per game and has hit 7-of-15 3-point attempts in the team's first five games. In three career games against Troy Millsap has averaged 12.6 ppg with six rebounds.
Returning post player Howard Crawford is chipping in with 14.8 ppg a night, while also showing a little range himself. The 6-foot-8, 240 pounder has hit 5-of-7 trey attempts this year.
Third-year starting point guard Aaron Johnson leads the team with 30 steals. The Blazers are forced Georgia into 17 turnovers on Saturday.
UAB defeated Troy in the Trojans' home-opener last season 87-66, a game missed by Vogler. In the rematch on December 20 in Birmingham, Hazzard scored 27 points, but was unable to help the Trojans overcome a 34-37 halftime deficit as they fell 73-68.
Tip-off is set for 7 pm on Tuesday night at UAB's Bartow Arena. Barry McKnight and Jerry Miller will bring you all the action from courtside on the Troy ISP Network.
Adam Howard - Introductory Press Conference
Monday, March 30
NCAA Tournament First Round Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, March 19
NCAA Tournament First Round Pre-game Press Conference
Wednesday, March 18
SBC Championship Postgame Press Conference (Scott Cross, Victor Valdes, Thomas Dowd) - No. 10 Georgia Southern
Tuesday, March 10