Troy University Athletics
Thursday, February 2
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Southern Miss
Troy Men's Basketball Returns to Trojan Arena for Rematch with Southern Miss; Whiteout Theme & Baseball / Softball Fan Day on Tap
1/31/2023 12:21:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Troy returns to the friendly confines of Trojan Arena on Thursday at 6 p.m. for its rematch of the Sun Belt Conference opener against Southern Miss.
After two tough losses at the hands of Louisiana and South Alabama this past week, the Trojans (13-10, 5-5 SBC) sit at .500 in a three-way tie for seventh. The Golden Eagles (19-4, 8-2 SBC) sit atop the conference, one win from their first 20-win season since 2018-19 – haven't won double-digit games since then.
On tap for Thursday's game is a Trojan Whiteout theme where the first 1,000 fans will receive a free "Team Troy" t-shirt – first 500 students also receive a free shaker and Chick-fil-A sandwich. It's also Half-Off Night, where all tickets will be 50 percent off, including club and courtside seats. To add to the experience, Troy's softball program will also be doing a pitching demonstration on the court at halftime.
Saturday honors the Troy baseball and softball team with their fan day. Ticket prices for general admission will also drop to $5. Additionally, the first 500 students will receive free Conecuh sausage dogs, while the first 500 kids 12 and under in attendance will receive a drawstring bag. The halftime festivities include a special recognition of the baseball and softball teams and a live performance of the shaBANG Dance Studio.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (13-10, 5-5 SBC) vs. Southern Miss (19-4, 8-2 SBC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 2 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Back-to-Back
Troy experienced its second consecutive loss on Saturday afternoon against in-state rival South Alabama, 77-60.
The Trojans allowed the Jaguars to shoot 52.6 percent from the field, 46.2 percent from deep and 78.6 percent from the stripe in the loss. Christyon Eugene exploded in the second half, scoring 15 of his 17 points.
South led throughout the ballgame, but Troy battled back with a 7-0 run that ended at the 9:42 mark of the second when Darius McNeill swiped the ball and finished on the other end, 58-46.
Head coach for USA, Richie Riley, stalled the run with a timeout, allowing the Jaguars to regain control and coast to victory.
Rematch Weekend
Thursday marks the second meeting between the programs in 2022-23, with the first going the Golden Eagles' way, 64-60, in a defensive battle. It's also the third-ever meeting between the two in Trojan Arena – first two were split 1-1.
Since the last meeting, the Golden Eagles have remained atop the SBC, suffering two losses against Louisiana and Marshall – fellow top-seeded opponents. Their most recent loss came on Jan. 12, with the team currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Southern Miss continues to be elite on the defensive end, ranking in the top three in steals (8.83), 3-point field goal percentage allowed (31.3), field goal percentage allowed (40.5) and points allowed (63.3). Where the Golden Eagles lack is the 3-point game, averaging a ninth-best 6.96 makes from deep on an 11th-best 3-point percentage (32.2).
Despite emphasizing the defensive end, the Golden Eagles have three players in the SBC top 10 for scoring, with Austin Crowley on top with 17.6 points per game. Joining him on the list are Felipe Haase (seventh) and DeAndre Pinckney (10th) with 14.5 and 14 points, respectively. Haase (11th – 7) and Pinckney (13th – 6.8) also sit in the top 15 for rebounding in the conference.
Rivalry Stats
• "Spudd" continued to produce on multiple levels after swiping away three steals against South Alabama. The three steals marked Eugene's 10th career multi-steal game in his Troy career and the fifth of 2022-23.
• Troy's response is critical on Thursday after suffering its most extensive loss of the season against in-state rival South Alabama, of 17.
• The Trojans struggle in the shot-blocking category despite Williams averaging one block himself. Through 23 games, the Trojans average 2.8 blocks per game after acclimating none in two of their last three games.
• The last time these teams met to open Sun Belt play, Williams scored 19 points alongside Kieffer Punter (14) and Aamer Muhammad (11) in double-figures.
• Both sides were locked in defensively when they met on Dec. 29, with each side combining for 37.6 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from deep and 29 total turnovers.
• By losing to South Alabama on Saturday, Troy suffered its 10th loss. Last year, the Trojans totaled 10 losses at the regular-season finale on Feb. 25.
• Williams overtook Rob Lewin (00-04) in career points in Troy Division-I program history for seventh with 1,059 points. After scoring four points against USA, Williams scored 1,062 points in his five-year career - averages 8.4 points per game.
• Muhammad scored 10 points in the loss against South Alabama, marking his 50th career game with double-digit points - scored 13 games in double figures this season. The junior has scored 1,054 points in his career, with a career-high of 31 against Western New Mexico.
• It's crucial that the Trojans keep their opponents shooting under 50 percent to contend for the win this year. Through 23 games, Troy has allowed four opponents to shoot 50-plus percent, losing all four - Trojans are 13-6 when holding opponents to 49 percent or less.
• Punter's free throw percentage remains on top of the Sun Belt Conference, leading the league with an 86 free throw percentage. He's been to the line 86 times with 74 makes. The 86 percent also places him 53 in the nation.
• Despite losing their last two games, including one where they allowed the opponent to shoot 52.6 percent (South Alabama), the Trojans still sit first in the SBC in field goal percentage defense since league play started. Through 10 games, they allow just 39.3 percent.
• Williams has played 127 games in his five-year career at Troy. In that time, the senior has averaged 5.7 rebounds, with 6.2 averaged in 2022-23. With nine games left, Williams must collect 94 rebounds to surpass Jordon Varnado for first in career rebounds in Troy D-I history.
After two tough losses at the hands of Louisiana and South Alabama this past week, the Trojans (13-10, 5-5 SBC) sit at .500 in a three-way tie for seventh. The Golden Eagles (19-4, 8-2 SBC) sit atop the conference, one win from their first 20-win season since 2018-19 – haven't won double-digit games since then.
On tap for Thursday's game is a Trojan Whiteout theme where the first 1,000 fans will receive a free "Team Troy" t-shirt – first 500 students also receive a free shaker and Chick-fil-A sandwich. It's also Half-Off Night, where all tickets will be 50 percent off, including club and courtside seats. To add to the experience, Troy's softball program will also be doing a pitching demonstration on the court at halftime.
Saturday honors the Troy baseball and softball team with their fan day. Ticket prices for general admission will also drop to $5. Additionally, the first 500 students will receive free Conecuh sausage dogs, while the first 500 kids 12 and under in attendance will receive a drawstring bag. The halftime festivities include a special recognition of the baseball and softball teams and a live performance of the shaBANG Dance Studio.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
The Matchup: Troy (13-10, 5-5 SBC) vs. Southern Miss (19-4, 8-2 SBC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 2 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Back-to-Back
Troy experienced its second consecutive loss on Saturday afternoon against in-state rival South Alabama, 77-60.
The Trojans allowed the Jaguars to shoot 52.6 percent from the field, 46.2 percent from deep and 78.6 percent from the stripe in the loss. Christyon Eugene exploded in the second half, scoring 15 of his 17 points.
South led throughout the ballgame, but Troy battled back with a 7-0 run that ended at the 9:42 mark of the second when Darius McNeill swiped the ball and finished on the other end, 58-46.
Head coach for USA, Richie Riley, stalled the run with a timeout, allowing the Jaguars to regain control and coast to victory.
Rematch Weekend
Thursday marks the second meeting between the programs in 2022-23, with the first going the Golden Eagles' way, 64-60, in a defensive battle. It's also the third-ever meeting between the two in Trojan Arena – first two were split 1-1.
Since the last meeting, the Golden Eagles have remained atop the SBC, suffering two losses against Louisiana and Marshall – fellow top-seeded opponents. Their most recent loss came on Jan. 12, with the team currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Southern Miss continues to be elite on the defensive end, ranking in the top three in steals (8.83), 3-point field goal percentage allowed (31.3), field goal percentage allowed (40.5) and points allowed (63.3). Where the Golden Eagles lack is the 3-point game, averaging a ninth-best 6.96 makes from deep on an 11th-best 3-point percentage (32.2).
Despite emphasizing the defensive end, the Golden Eagles have three players in the SBC top 10 for scoring, with Austin Crowley on top with 17.6 points per game. Joining him on the list are Felipe Haase (seventh) and DeAndre Pinckney (10th) with 14.5 and 14 points, respectively. Haase (11th – 7) and Pinckney (13th – 6.8) also sit in the top 15 for rebounding in the conference.
Rivalry Stats
• "Spudd" continued to produce on multiple levels after swiping away three steals against South Alabama. The three steals marked Eugene's 10th career multi-steal game in his Troy career and the fifth of 2022-23.
• Troy's response is critical on Thursday after suffering its most extensive loss of the season against in-state rival South Alabama, of 17.
• The Trojans struggle in the shot-blocking category despite Williams averaging one block himself. Through 23 games, the Trojans average 2.8 blocks per game after acclimating none in two of their last three games.
• The last time these teams met to open Sun Belt play, Williams scored 19 points alongside Kieffer Punter (14) and Aamer Muhammad (11) in double-figures.
• Both sides were locked in defensively when they met on Dec. 29, with each side combining for 37.6 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from deep and 29 total turnovers.
• By losing to South Alabama on Saturday, Troy suffered its 10th loss. Last year, the Trojans totaled 10 losses at the regular-season finale on Feb. 25.
• Williams overtook Rob Lewin (00-04) in career points in Troy Division-I program history for seventh with 1,059 points. After scoring four points against USA, Williams scored 1,062 points in his five-year career - averages 8.4 points per game.
• Muhammad scored 10 points in the loss against South Alabama, marking his 50th career game with double-digit points - scored 13 games in double figures this season. The junior has scored 1,054 points in his career, with a career-high of 31 against Western New Mexico.
• It's crucial that the Trojans keep their opponents shooting under 50 percent to contend for the win this year. Through 23 games, Troy has allowed four opponents to shoot 50-plus percent, losing all four - Trojans are 13-6 when holding opponents to 49 percent or less.
• Punter's free throw percentage remains on top of the Sun Belt Conference, leading the league with an 86 free throw percentage. He's been to the line 86 times with 74 makes. The 86 percent also places him 53 in the nation.
• Despite losing their last two games, including one where they allowed the opponent to shoot 52.6 percent (South Alabama), the Trojans still sit first in the SBC in field goal percentage defense since league play started. Through 10 games, they allow just 39.3 percent.
• Williams has played 127 games in his five-year career at Troy. In that time, the senior has averaged 5.7 rebounds, with 6.2 averaged in 2022-23. With nine games left, Williams must collect 94 rebounds to surpass Jordon Varnado for first in career rebounds in Troy D-I history.
Players Mentioned
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