Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Southern Miss
Men’s Basketball Hosts Southern Miss on Saturday Afternoon
1/12/2024 11:48:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. — Following an impressive victory over Louisiana on Wednesday night, the Troy men's basketball team is back at Trojan Arena on Saturday afternoon as it looks to continue its best Sun Belt start in program history and pick up its sixth consecutive win.
Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will follow the women's basketball game against James Madison, which is set to begin at 2 p.m.
Troy picked up a hard-fought 79-73 win over Louisiana on Wednesday night to get off to its best conference start since the team joined the Sun Belt in 2005. It's also the best conference start in general since the 2003-04 season when the Trojans started 6-0.
The five-game winning streak — which started with a win over Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 21 — is the longest since Troy won five games between Dec. 11 - Dec. 30, 2021.
The Trojans have struggled historically against Southern Miss, and are 1-15 all-time against the Golden Eagles, and have lost four straight games in the series.
Game Information
The Matchup: Southern Miss (9-7, 3-1 SBC) at Troy (10-6, 4-0 SBC)
Location: Troy, Ala. — Trojan Arena (5,200)
When: Saturday, January 13, 2024 — 4 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Game Promotion: Whiteout
Creating Havoc
The Trojans' defense has created issues for teams all season, and it's been especially prevalent during Sun Belt play.
On the season, Troy has forced 15.8 turnovers per game, which is the best in the conference, and comes in at 24th nationally. In its four conference games thus far, Troy has averaged 15.5 turnovers per game.
The Trojans have found success in forcing those turnovers via steals. Troy is 13th in the country in steals per game at 10.2. That mark is also the best in the conference. In its four conference games, Troy has recorded 6, 11, 13, and 16 steals.
What Cold Streak?
Christyon Eugene was back to his normal self on Wednesday night as he scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Trojans to its 10th victory of the season. It was Eugene's 13th time in double-figures this season and his fifth game of 20 or more points.
It was also an incredibly efficient performance, as he went 7-9 from the field and 2-4 from 3-point range. He is shooting 48.8 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from distance and 84.4 percent from the line.
Eugene is leading the team in scoring at 15.6 points and assists at 3.8.
Climbing The Rankings
Going into its game against Louisiana on Wednesday, Troy was sitting at 206 in the NCAA Net Rankings. Following its victory Troy jumped all the way 183 – which is fifth in the Sun Belt. In the KenPom Rankings, the Trojans are sitting at 169 – also fifth in the Sun Belt.
Troy received five votes in CollegeInsider.com's Mid Major Top 25 poll rankings and is only the third team in the Sun Belt to receive votes (James Madison and App State).
Scouting Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles are coming off a 71-58 win over ULM on Thursday night in Monroe. Donovan Ivory had a game-high 22 points and Victor Hart had 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Austin Crowley is leading the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game. Crowley was named the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and joined Eugene on the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team.
Troy Notables
• The last time Troy started 4-0 in conference play was the 2003-2004 season, and this is the best start to conference play since Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference.
• Tayton Conerway continues to provide valuable minutes and production off the bench. The junior guard from Burleson, Texas, scored 13 points against Louisiana – his sixth consecutive game in double figures.
• Head coach Scott Cross picked up his 70th win as Troy's head coach on Wednesday night. His record is at .500 for the first time as the Troy head coach.
• Since the hiring of Scott Cross in 2019, Troy is 43-20 at Trojan Arena, including 9-1 this season. In the 2022-23 season, Troy was 11-3 at Trojan Arena, including 7-2 during conference play.
• Troy has 51 combined starts by players who had not started a D-I game prior to this season.
