Trojans Prepare for North Texas, Maestri Goes for 500

Thursday, February 14

Troy, Ala.

7:30 p.m.

Troy University

FIU

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

Trojans Prepare for North Texas, Maestri Goes for 500

2/15/2013 11:45:00 AM | Basketball (M)

By: Joe St. Pierre

Game Notes
Live Stats
Live Audio
Live Video

TROY, Ala. – The Troy men's basketball team (11-15, 6-9) will face North Texas (9-18, 4-12) on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Trojan Arena as part of a double-header with the women's team. Head coach Don Maestri will be going for win number 500 of his illustrious career.

The Sun Belt Network will be carrying both the men's and women's games and can be seen on ESPN3.com or on the WatchESPN app. Live stats and audio will be available on the men's basketball schedule page on TroyTrojans.com.

Troy took down FIU on Thursday night, 69-61, at Trojan Arena, giving Maestri 499 career wins. In his 30+ seasons at Troy, Maestri has eight 20-win seasons, seven conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Final Four (Division II). With a win, Maestri would become the 22nd active Division I head coach with at least 500 wins, joining the likes of Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Bob Huggins. He would also become just the sixth active coach to win at least 500 games at one school.

The Trojans are led by senior Emil Jones. Jones is scoring 11.8 points per game and grabbing 5.7 boards per contest. Hunter Williams is the other Trojan averaging double-figures, at 10.1 points per game. The Trojans protect the ball well, averaging just 10.6 turnovers per game, 10th fewest in the nation.

North Texas was defeated by ULM on Thursday night, 85-73, despite leading by 15 points in the second half. The Mean Green are led by Jordan Williams, who averages 13.7 points per game. Tony Mitchell is second on the squad with 13.5 points per game and leads North Texas with 8.3 boards per game.

Troy was defeated by North Texas on January 3, 76-59, in Denton, Texas. Mitchell had a phenomenal game, scoring 29 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. The Trojans are 3-9 all-time against the Mean Green.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.