Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Arkansas State
Men’s Basketball Hosts Arkansas State on Thursday Night
2/14/2024 2:36:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – The Troy men's basketball puts its six-game winning streak to the test on Thursday night as it welcomes Arkansas State to Trojan Arena for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
In addition to the six-game winning streak, Troy has won its last 12 games at Trojan Arena and has not lost at home since Nov. 20 against Sam Houston. With a win on Thursday, the Trojans would move to 15-1 at home this season, which would be the most home wins in a single year since Troy won 15 in the 1967-68 campaign.
The Trojans defeated Kent State 78-68 in Trojan Arena on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the MAC-SBC Challenge. Arkansas State is coming off a 100-87 win over Ohio.
Thursday's game is part of a doubleheader with the Troy women's basketball team hosting Texas State at 5:15 p.m.
Game Information
The Matchup: Arkansas State (11-14, 6-6 SBC) at Troy (17-8, 10-2 SBC)
Location: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena (5,200)
When: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Game Promotion: ZOOperstars Halftime Performance
Last Time Out
The Trojans continue to get impressive play from starters and role players. On Saturday, Myles Rigsby continued to show why he is one of the up-and-coming stars of the Sun Belt. The freshman forward scored a career-high 22 points and has scored in double-figures in each of the last six games. In four of those games he has scored 20 or more points. Rigsby is now second on the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game.
It wasn't just Rigsby who shined on Saturday, as senior Christyon Eugene scored 11 points. He has 10 or more points in 21 of 25 games this season and leads the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game.
Aamer Muhammad and Randarius Jones each added 10 points in the win.
The Trojans shot the ball well, knocking down 53.2 percent of shots. Troy is 6-0 this season and 3-0 in Sun Belt play when shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Paired with the strong offensive performance was a tenacious defensive showing that held Kent State to 37.7 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range. The Trojans forced 17 turnovers and had eight steals.
This season, Troy has forced opponents into 15 or more turnovers in 13 games this season. Troy's 15.08 turnovers forced per game is second in the Sun Belt and 26th nationally. Many of those turnovers have come via steals. The Trojans average 9.8 steals per game, the top mark in the conference and 11th nationally.
Scouting Arkansas State
The Red Wolves come into Trojan Arena having won three of its last four games. Its only loss during that span was a 77-73 loss at home to James Madison. Leading the charge this year has been Caleb Fields and his 12.9 points per game. Fields is also averaging a team-high 6.0 assists.
A-State is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, as they knock down 10 threes per game. That total is the best in the Sun Belt and 16th nationally. They also take the most three-pointers in the conference at 28.2 per game.
Conference Notables and Tidbits
• The Trojans are the 20th youngest team in Division I basketball according to KenPom.com.
• Troy sits tied for first in the Sun Belt standings but holds the tiebreaker over App State due to its win over the Mountaineers on Jan. 6 at Trojan Arena.
• Troy is the only team in the Sun Belt with 10 or more conference wins in each of the last three seasons.
• Myles Rigsby has scored in double-figures in each of the last six games and has 20 or more points in four of those games. Rigsby set a career-high 22 points on Saturday.
• The Troy offense is averaging 80.0 points per game this season, which ranks as the second-best offense in the SBC and 51st nationally. The Trojans have scored 80 or more points in 12 games this season and have 60 or more points in all but one game.
• Troy's 14 home wins are the most since 1988, and its tied for the second most home wins by a Division I team this season. Nebraska has the most with 15.
• Troy made its debut in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 this week, as it was ranked No. 23. The Trojans are one of three teams to be ranked in the SBC – App State (No. 5) and James Madison (No. 7).
• Going into Thursday's game, Troy sits at 133 in the NET Rankings – fourth in the SBC. In the KenPom Ratings, the Trojans are sitting at 129 – fourth in the Sun Belt.
