Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Louisiana
Troy Men’s Basketball Looks to Keep Win Streak Going Against Louisiana
1/9/2024 10:18:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. — The Troy men's basketball team looks to continue its impressive play and extend its win streak to five games as it hosts Louisiana at Trojan Arena on Wednesday night.
The game is the second of a doubleheader that sees the women's program also host Louisiana at 5:15 p.m.
The Trojans have won three straight games to open conference play — something they have not done since the 2009-10 season — and look to win four straight for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
This will be the 30th all-time meeting between the two programs. Louisiana enters the game at 8-7 overall and 1-2 in Sun Belt play. The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off an 85-77 win over Coastal Carolina in Lafayette on Saturday.
Game Information
The Matchup: Louisiana (8-7, 1-2 SBC) at Troy (9-6, 3-0 SBC)
Location: Troy, Ala. — Trojan Arena (5,200)
When: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 — 7:30 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Game Promotion: Welcome Back Students
Next Man Up
The Trojans' success this season can be partially credited to its deep bench and overall depth, as Troy is 15th nationally and tops in the Sun Belt in bench points per game at 32.7. Tayton Conerway has led the charge when it comes to productive scoring off the bench, as Conerway is second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.
The junior guard has scored 15 points in each of the last two games, both coming off the bench. Against App State, Conerway scored nine straight points to erase an eight-point deficit for Troy.
Conerway's offensive eruption over the homestand has been crucial, as star guard Christyon Eugene has struggled offensively over the last two games, scoring just 14 total points on 6-26 shooting from the field.
Freshman forward Victor Valdes made his fourth career start on Saturday in replace of Myles Rigsby who was sidelined with an injury. Valdes scored a career-high 12 points on 4-6 shooting and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.
Pick Pocket Experts
The Trojan's defense has played strong over the win streak and much of that can be credited to Troy's ability to take the ball away from its opponents. Over the last two games, Troy has forced a combined 32 turnovers — 24 of which came off steals.
Marcus Rigsby Jr. had four steals last Thursday against Old Dominion, and Aamer Muhammad had four on Saturday against App State.
Troy is averaging 9.8 steals per game, which is 17th in the country and first in the Sun Belt.
Overall, Troy is forcing 15.5 turnovers per game, third in the Sun Belt and 35th nationally.
Scouting Louisiana
Louisiana leads the all-time series 22-7 and has won eight of the last ten matchups. Troy came away with an 80-65 win the last time the two teams met on Feb. 11, 2023, in Trojan Arena.
The Ragin' Cajuns are led by Kobe Julien and his 17.3 points per game, which is the top mark in the Sun Belt.
Conference Notables
• Since the hiring of Scott Cross in 2019, Troy is 42-20 at Trojan Arena, including 8-1 this season.
• Christyon Eugene leads the team in scoring with 15.1 points per game. He is also averaging a team-high 3.9 assists and is second on the team in rebounds at 5.0.
• Troy's 3-0 conference start is its best start since the 2009-10 season (3-0).
• Troy's 41 rebounds per game this season is third in the Sun Belt and 29th in the country. Troy has won the rebounding battle in 11 of 15 games this season and is 10th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (14.6).
• Troy has had success this season when turning the tempo up offensively, as it is first in the Sun Belt in fastbreak points per game with 14.1. Against App State, Troy had 19 fastbreak points compared to the Mountaineers eight.
• Troy scored 43 points in the second half against App State and held them to 36 in its come-from-behind victory on Saturday afternoon. The game marked the first time this season the Trojans picked up a victory despite trailing at halftime 26-23.
• Troy has 48 combined starts by players who had not started a D-I game prior to this season.
