Trojans Set to Open SBC Play at Denver

Game Notes

DENVER, Colo. – The Troy men's basketball team travels west this week as they look to open Sun Belt Conference play with a win at Denver on Thursday. The Trojans and Pioneers tip-off at Magness Arena at 8:00 p.m. CST on Thursday in the first Sun Belt contest of the season for both teams.

The Trojans (5-6, 0-0) come into the contest after suffering their first home loss of the season at the hands of UTSA last Thursday while the Pioneers (10-2, 0-0) enter as the Sun Belt West Division's top team.

The Trojans enter the contest as the nation's second-best three-point shooting team with 10.6 makes from long range per game. A big reason for the high number of makes for the Trojans is their effort on the offensive glass. Troy averages 16.5 offensive rebounds per game, the best mark in the Sun Belt and fifth best in the nation.

Troy will have to continue creating extra possessions and knocking down shots as they face a Denver team that allows a Sun Belt-low 60.0 points per game. Although they average just 67.2 points themselves, the Pioneers are capable offensively as they shoot 48.8 percent from the floor as a team, the second highest mark in the Sun Belt.

Denver is also strong at the free throw line as their 81.4 percent mark from the charity stripe is the best in the nation.

Gameday Storylines

- After a 5-6 non-conference finish, the Trojans enter Sun Belt play in the underdog role that they enjoy. In the Sun Belt's Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Trojans where picked to finish last in the East Division and second to last overall.

- The Trojans, who had struggled in three-straight games from beyond the arc, got back to their normal shooting ways in their last contest as they knocked down 16 three-pointers against UTSA.

- Troy enters the contest as the nation's second-best three-point shooting team as they make 10.6 threes per game, second only to Florida's 11.1.

- The Trojans have three players averaging in double-figures. Two of those (Justin Wright and Alan Jones) were coming off the bench before each earning their first career starts last week against Southern Utah.

- The Trojan bench has outscored the opponent's bench in nine of 11 games this season, as Troy averages 30.5 of the bench and opponents just 15.3.

- Will Weathers is the engine that makes the Trojans go as he leads the team in scoring (13.4) and sits first in the Sun Belt, 14th in the nation, in assists (6.5). He has just five turnovers with 25 assists in the last four games.

The Series

- The Trojans lead the all-time series over the Pioneers, 5-2, with all seven meetings coming with both sides being members of the Sun Belt conference. This marks Denver's last season in the conference as they will join the WAC next season.

- The home team has won all seven games in the series, with the Trojans having played in Denver only twice, Jan. 28, 2006 and Feb, 7 2008. The last three meetings have all come in Troy with the Trojans winning all three.

- Last season, Troy topped the Pioneers 64-55 in Troy in a game that saw Will Weathers post a double-double with 19 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.

- The Trojans, who have averaged 75.0 points per game since joining the Sun Belt in 2005-06, average just 68.0 in their contests with the Pioneers. Denver averages just 64.7.

A Troy Win Would …

- Give the Trojans a 6-2 advantage in the series in possibly the last meeting as Denver moves to the WAC next season

- Give the Trojans their first ever win in Denver

- Give Don Maestri his 491st career victory.

- Give the Trojans their sixth win of the season, a feat that didn't happen last season until Feb. 10

- Put the Trojans back at .500 at 6-6, last season the Trojans were 2-10 through 12 games

- Make the Trojans 2-6 in Sun Belt openers, the only previous win came in 2009-10 against New Orleans who was also in their final year in the conference that season

Troy University Athletics

Next Event

Related Videos