Troy University Athletics
Saturday, December 30
Conway, S.C.
1 p.m.
Troy University
at
Coastal Carolina
Troy Men's Basketball Opens Conference Play at Coastal Carolina
12/29/2023 10:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Coming off back-to-back seasons of 10-plus conference wins, Troy men's basketball opens up its 2023-24 conference schedule on the road as they face off against Coastal Carolina at the HTC Center in Conway, S.C., on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
Troy (6-6) closed out its non-conference schedule at home last Thursday as they defeated Eastern Kentucky 88-81. Christyon Eugene scored a season-high 24 points in the victory.
This is the Trojans' 17th all-time matchup against Coastal Carolina (3-8), who is coming off an 85-82 loss to North Carolina A&T last Thursday.
Game Information
The Matchup: Troy (6-6, 0-0 SBC) at Coastal Carolina (3-8, 0-0 SBC)
Location: Conway, S.C. – HTC Center (3,212)
When: Saturday, December 30, 2023 – 1 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
A Fresh Slate
After a challenging non-conference schedule that included two power-five road games, two overtime duels and a trip to Dayton, the Trojans enter Sun Belt play battle-tested.
Despite coming off a 20-win season and 11 conference wins in the 2022-23 campaign, the Trojans were picked to finish eighth in the conference this season in the Sun Belt Coaches Preseason Poll.
Troy looks to take its momentum from its win over EKU into conference play and pick up its first Sun Belt Conference Regular Season Title since 2010 and its first tournament title since 2017.
To do this, the Trojans will continue to rely on Eugene — a senior guard out of Spring, Texas — who was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First-Team. Eugene is averaging 16.1 points through 12 games, which is good for third in the Sun Belt. He has scored 23 or more points in three games this season and has scored in double-figures in all but one game.
A key to the Trojans' success during conference play this season will be to limit turnovers, something they did extremely well their last time out. Against EKU, Troy turned the ball over just five times. That is the fewest since Troy had five against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 20, 2012.
Scouting the Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina leads the all-time series 9-7. The Trojans have won two of the last three matchups, including the previous meeting 95-74 at home on Feb. 24, 2023.
Through 11 games, Coastal Carolina is led offensively by John Ojiako, who is averaging a double-double with 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Coastal Carolina has had a tough start to its season and has lost three straight games going into conference play.
Conference Opener Notes
• The Trojans are still searching for their first road win of the season. Two of their five road losses were decided by one point.
• Christyon Eugene scored his 700th career D-I point against Eastern Kentucky. All 722 of his D-I points have come with the Trojans.
• Troy has dominated on the glass this season, as its 41.08 rebounds per game is 30th in the country and third in the conference. The Trojans have also averaged 14.92 offensive rebounds per game, which is first in the Sun Belt and ninth nationally.
• Troy's 88-81 win over EKU was the first time Troy won a game under Scott Cross in which it allowed its opponent to score 80 or more points. They are now 1-19 when allowing 80-plus points under Cross.
• Troy has 39 combined starts by players who had not started a D-I game prior to this season.
Troy (6-6) closed out its non-conference schedule at home last Thursday as they defeated Eastern Kentucky 88-81. Christyon Eugene scored a season-high 24 points in the victory.
This is the Trojans' 17th all-time matchup against Coastal Carolina (3-8), who is coming off an 85-82 loss to North Carolina A&T last Thursday.
Game Information
The Matchup: Troy (6-6, 0-0 SBC) at Coastal Carolina (3-8, 0-0 SBC)
Location: Conway, S.C. – HTC Center (3,212)
When: Saturday, December 30, 2023 – 1 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
A Fresh Slate
After a challenging non-conference schedule that included two power-five road games, two overtime duels and a trip to Dayton, the Trojans enter Sun Belt play battle-tested.
Despite coming off a 20-win season and 11 conference wins in the 2022-23 campaign, the Trojans were picked to finish eighth in the conference this season in the Sun Belt Coaches Preseason Poll.
Troy looks to take its momentum from its win over EKU into conference play and pick up its first Sun Belt Conference Regular Season Title since 2010 and its first tournament title since 2017.
To do this, the Trojans will continue to rely on Eugene — a senior guard out of Spring, Texas — who was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First-Team. Eugene is averaging 16.1 points through 12 games, which is good for third in the Sun Belt. He has scored 23 or more points in three games this season and has scored in double-figures in all but one game.
A key to the Trojans' success during conference play this season will be to limit turnovers, something they did extremely well their last time out. Against EKU, Troy turned the ball over just five times. That is the fewest since Troy had five against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 20, 2012.
Scouting the Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina leads the all-time series 9-7. The Trojans have won two of the last three matchups, including the previous meeting 95-74 at home on Feb. 24, 2023.
Through 11 games, Coastal Carolina is led offensively by John Ojiako, who is averaging a double-double with 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Coastal Carolina has had a tough start to its season and has lost three straight games going into conference play.
Conference Opener Notes
• The Trojans are still searching for their first road win of the season. Two of their five road losses were decided by one point.
• Christyon Eugene scored his 700th career D-I point against Eastern Kentucky. All 722 of his D-I points have come with the Trojans.
• Troy has dominated on the glass this season, as its 41.08 rebounds per game is 30th in the country and third in the conference. The Trojans have also averaged 14.92 offensive rebounds per game, which is first in the Sun Belt and ninth nationally.
• Troy's 88-81 win over EKU was the first time Troy won a game under Scott Cross in which it allowed its opponent to score 80 or more points. They are now 1-19 when allowing 80-plus points under Cross.
• Troy has 39 combined starts by players who had not started a D-I game prior to this season.
Players Mentioned
G
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