Men’s Basketball Travels to Battle No. 9-Ranked Arkansas

Monday, November 28

Fayetteville, Ark.

7 p.m.

Troy University

Arkansas

Men’s Basketball Travels to Battle No. 9-Ranked Arkansas

11/27/2022 10:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – After a brief pause for Thanksgiving, the Troy men's basketball team returns to action with its first-ranked foe in No. 9 Arkansas on Monday night at the Bud Walton Arena.

The Trojans (6-1) look to add to their best start since the 2002-03 season with the first 7-1 start since the 1991-92 season.

Monday's meeting marks the first time the two programs have met since 2017-18 as the Trojans search for their second-ever win over the Razorbacks (5-1).

Game Information
Location: Fayetteville, Ark. – Bud Walton Arena
The Matchup: Troy (6-1, 0-0 SBC) vs. No. 9 Arkansas (5-1, 0-0 SEC)
When: Monday, Nov. 28 – 7 p.m.
Watch: SEC Network
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com

100-Point Performance
Troy scored over 100 points for the 219^th time in program history over Southern-New Orleans, 118-61, as Nelson Phillips cemented his name in the history books with a 22-point, 13-steal, eight-rebound and eight-assist performance – most steals in Troy program history; tied the NCAA record set in 1988.

The game was never in question as the Trojans led from the opening minute when Zay Williams knocked down a deep shot for two, 2-0, and never ceased in their efforts – opened on an 18-2 run.

A 3-point party opened up early in the first half and kept going to help Troy extend its lead to 36, 66-30 as the team entered halftime. Aamer Muhammad, Jackson Fields, Nate Tshimanga, Christyon Eugene and Phillips all joined in on the fun as the Trojans totaled 13 3-pointers on 61.9 percent from deep.

Despite a brief effort by SUNO to cut the lead to 29, 76-47, with 12:04 remaining, Eugene sparked another run to secure the victory with seven points off the bench. The rest of the game saw pure domination from Troy and Phillips as he secured steals no. 10 through 13 in the final four minutes for the 118-61 victory.

First Ranked Opponent
Arkansas leads the all-time series, 4-1.

The most recent polls placed the Razorbacks ninth nationally with their 5-1 start to the year. Arkansas's one loss came to No. 10/8 Creighton on Nov. 22, 90-87, when they allowed the opposition to shoot 58.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep.

The Razorbacks quickly redeemed themselves with a 78-74 overtime win over San Diego State to conclude the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. At home, the Razorbacks are 3-0 with an average win margin of plus-23.

Ricky Council IV has been lights out for the Razorbacks, averaging 19 points, 3.5 assists and two steals in 36.5 minutes per game. Anthony Black (14.2) and Trevon Brazile (13.3) are fighting for the secondary role as both average double figures scoring.

SEC Stats
• The Trojans are off to their best start since the 2002-03 season at 6-1. In 2002-03, Troy defeated Arkansas for its fourth win of the season, 74-66.
• In the five meetings between Arkansas and Troy, the average margin of victory is 22.6.
• Monday marks the first time Troy has battled a ranked opponent since Texas Tech in the 2020-21 season, where the Trojans fell 80-46.
• Troy has already conquered a power-five opponent this season with a 79-72 victory over Florida State – a win on Monday would mark the first time in D-I program history that Troy won two games over a power-five in one season.
• Phillips is coming off one of the greatest performances in Troy program history as the Georgia State transfer was two rebounds and assists from Troy's first-ever quadruple-double.