Troy University Athletics
Trojan Tidbits - An Inside Look
2/23/2009 6:00:00 AM | General
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23
A bit of somber news as I open the blog. Instead of opening with some zany comment or one-liner, I am opening with a bit of saddening news to the Troy University women's basketball program.
On my way to the office this morning, I received a text message from former Trojan Myra Farr concerning that of a former player. Zena Lawrence, who finished up her playing career last season for the Trojans, lost her mother to cancer to last night. May we remember Zena and her family in this trying time.
On another note, I would like to thank each of your personally for all of your prayers and well-wishes during my newborn baby daughter's illness a couple of weeks ago. She is doing better and it is a joy each and everyday to be able to hold her and watch her grow before my eyes - hard to believe it has been three months since I had to miss the opening two weeks of basketball season with her birth.
On that note . . .
Just when you think you have seen it all, and you know exactly where everything stands heading into the final week of the regular season - something always jumps and grabs you and makes you say "did that really happen?". And yes, that moment happened this weekend for the Troy University women's basketball program.
The Trojans (13-13, 8-8 Sun Belt) looked primed to know exactly where they stood as far as hosting a home game in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, but thanks to Florida Atlantic upsetting then 25th-ranked Middle Tennessee, the Sun Belt standings continued to keep everyone in a fog as to who and when and where the games will be played.
One thing is for sure in the standings, that is Middle Tennessee and UALR have wrapped up the top two seeds by winning their division; and the fact that FIU and Louisiana-Lafayette will be the 12th and 13th seeded teams in the upcoming tournament. Now for seeds three through 11, it is anyone's guess as to what can happen with just one week left in the regular season.
The Trojans do, however, control their own destiny. With a win on Wednesday night on the road against Louisiana-Lafayette, and a loss by either New Orleans, Florida Atlantic or Arkansas State; the Trojans do know that they will host a first round tournament game the following week. For that to happen, the Trojans must venture into their third arena in four games that they have never won a game in the school's history. Troy is 0-2 all-time in Lafayette at "The CAJUNDOME", but were also winless in trips to The Super Pit (North Texas) and U.S. Century Bank (FIU) until this season's victories.
We will just have to wait and see what happens. One thing is for certain, the game tips off at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard on WTBF-94.7 FM beginning at 6:45 p.m. with Travis Jarome bringing you all of the play-by-play action in what we hope is a historic night for Trojan women's basketball.
In other basketball-related news, the men's basketball team looks as though it has sewn up the third overall seed in the upcoming conference tournament - meaning it will receive a bye to Hot Springs and will receive almost a week off before playing again.
No one else can overtake the Trojans of at least third in the league. Even if the Trojans lose by 100 to South Alabama and UL-Lafayette. The best South Alabama, North Texas and Middle Tennessee can do is 11-7. Denver could finish 10-8.
As of right now, the Trojans are third. The East and West winners will get the number one and number two seeds. If Troy is tied with UALR from the West at the top of the league, Troy owns that tiebreaker. If Troy is tied with Western Kentucky at the top of the East or league, it goes to a tiebreaker on who has a better record against the next-highest team.
NOW that is over, whew (insert deep breathe here), there are other sports going on in Trojan athletics this time of the year. Namely baseball (Ricky Hazel will have his blog up soon) and softball (Taylor Bryan and/or Ben Stanfield will keep you posted), tennis (men and women), and track and field.
Tennis is home on Thursday against the University of South Alabama, what a way to bring in the basketball games this weekend, by getting rivalry week started on the courts. The men will take the courts against South Alabama at the Lunsford Tennis Center after losing a heartbreaker to Southern Miss over the weekend. Meanwhile, the women are continuing a strong season, playing two more ranked opponents this weekend. Troy (3-4) has played four ranked opponents all ready this season, the latest - 12th ranked Florida on the road this past weekend. The Trojans will return to action Saturday on the road against Auburn University.
In track and field action, the Trojans will head to Jonesboro, Arkansas - the site of Arkansas State University - for the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. Agata Cichoszewska will look to build on her momentum from the Clemson meet a couple of weeks ago and challenge for a Sun Belt crown in the triple jump, while Tiphanie Baker and Latoya Ragland will each look to challenge in weight throw/shot put and hurdles/long jump, respectively, over the weekend.
If you want to be able to keep up with Troy athletics, make sure to visit TroyTrojans.com for all of your information. Our next blog, we will take an in-depth look at the road trips for the men's and women's basketball teams this week as they head to Lafayette, Louisiana for their meetings against Louisiana-Lafayette - and give you a different perspective of what happens on the road.
Until next time.
