Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Marshall
Troy Opens Sun Belt Play, Hosts Marshall Saturday
12/19/2025 11:25:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. - Troy men's basketball begins its Sun Belt title defense on Saturday, hosting Marshall in both teams' first conference game of the season. Tip-off from Trojan Arena is set for 1 p.m., with the game streaming on ESPN+.
Troy earned its seventh win of the season on Sunday on the road against UAB, 86-85. After the Blazers took a one-point lead with five seconds remaining, Thomas Dowd corralled a missed 3-point attempt by Cobi Campbell, banking in the game-winning basket as time expired.
Victor Valdes finished with 26 points - his fifth time this season passing the 20-point threshold, which is tied for first in the Sun Belt. Valdes added five assists, three steals, and shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line in Troy's second win all-time over UAB.
Troy holds a 3-3 all-time record against Marshall.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala. - Trojan Arena (5,200)
The Matchup: Troy vs. Marshall
When: Saturday, December 20 – 1 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Media Network
Attacking the Glass
Thomas Dowd is near the top of several statistics nationally. The Dothan native ranks fifth in total rebounds (125) and 11th in rebounds per game (10.4). Additionally, Dowd is one of nine players to be averaging at least 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Scouting Marshall
Marshall begins Sun Belt play with a 7-4 record overall and 2-3 in road contests. The Thundering Herd most recently defeated Wright State on Dec. 13, 76-74. Marshall ranks first in the Sun Belt and 12th in the nation in blocks per game, having swatted away an average of 5.9 shots. Jalen Speer leads the Thundering Herd with 14.0 points and 5.8 assists per game. Matt Van Komen has anchored the paint for Marshall, averaging 3.1 blocks this season.
Up Next
Troy will be back in action at home on Dec. 31 for a New Year's Eve showdown with Texas State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
Notables
- Scott Cross is in his seventh season at the helm of the Trojans, amassing a 110-92 record during his time at Troy. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won 20-plus games each year including 10-plus Sun Belt contests.
- Troy is 5-1 in Sun Belt openers under Scott Cross. Last season, the Trojans defeated App State on the road, 69-61. The Cardinal and White have gotten off to fast starts in conference play in recent years, winning its first two games within the league in each of the last two seasons.
- After wrapping up a six-game road trip on Nov. 26, Troy is in the midst of a lengthy in-state stretch that keeps the team within Alabama until its Jan. 7 matchup at Arkansas State. The run includes five home games at Trojan Arena.
- Troy has been excellent at creating havoc on the court this season, ranking 27st nationally and first in the Sun Belt with 9.8 steals per game. The Trojans are forcing 15.9 turnovers a contest, good for 28th in the nation.
- A multitude of Trojans have led the way offensively so far this season, with Victor Valdes pacing the scoring output at 17.6 points per game. Thomas Dowd has added 15.3 points and a Sun Belt leading 10.4 rebounds per game.
