Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Arkansas State
Troy Heads to Arkansas State for Sun Belt Championship Rematch
1/6/2026 2:19:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Troy men's basketball is set for a Sun Belt Tournament final rematch on Wednesday night, as the Trojans head to Jonesboro, Arkansas, for a showdown with the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
Troy (10-5, 3-0) enters Wednesday's game following a rivalry win over South Alabama on Saturday. The Trojans' win marked their fifth straight, and third to begin Sun Belt Play. Troy has now started 3-0 in conference play in three straight seasons.
Thomas Dowd wrapped up an impressive week with a signature performance on both ends of the floor. Dowd finished the game with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. The junior made four threes, all of which came in the first half.
Arkansas State (10-5, 2-1) is coming off a home loss to James Madison on Saturday, 74-78. The Red Wolves were led by Matt Hayman with 23 points and five rebounds.
Troy won two of the three meetings between the teams last season, including the Sun Belt Tournament final. The Trojans also earned a gutsy road win on Feb. 15, 71-70.
Troy holds a 19-14 all-time record against Arkansas State.
Game Information
Location: Jonesboro, Ark. -First National Bank Arena (10,563)
The Matchup: Troy vs. Arkansas State
When: Wednesday, January 7 – 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Troy Sports Media Network
Defense Wins
Troy held South Alabama to just 49 points on Saturday, the lowest point total from a Troy Division I opponent since the Trojans limited ULM to 46 points on March 1, 2014. The Trojans limited the Jaguars to 32 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from behind the arc.
Attacking the Glass
Thomas Dowd is near the top of several statistics nationally. The Dothan native ranks 6th in total rebounds (155) and 13th in rebounds per game (10.3). Additionally, Dowd is one of eight players to be averaging at least 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Scouting Arkansas State
Arkansas State enters Wednesday's game with a 10-5 overall record and is 2-1 in Sun Belt play. The Red Wolves most recently fell to James Madison, 74-78. Joey Chammaa leads Arkansas State in scoring at 14.0 points per game. The Red Wolves are no strangers to rebounding, currently with 13.5 offensive rebounds per game.. Arkansas State has also displayed its depth throughout the opening two months of the season, leading the Sun Belt in bench points per game at 36.5.
Up Next
Troy will stay on the road, heading south to Lafayette for a matchup with Louisiana. Tip-off from the Cajundome is scheduled for 12 p.m. on ESPN+.
Notables
- Scott Cross is in his seventh season at the helm of the Trojans, amassing a 113-92 record during his time at Troy. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won 20-plus games every year, which includes 10-plus Sun Belt wins each season.
- Troy and Arkansas State are meeting for the first time since March 10 in the Sun Belt Tournament final, a game that Troy won, 94-81 to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans outscored the Red Wolves 53-38 in the second half en route to its first appearance in the Big Dance since the 2016-17 season.
- Troy has been excellent at creating havoc on the court this season, ranking 21st nationally and first in the Sun Belt with 9.7 steals per game.
- Troy has scored at an elite clip this season, averaging 86.5 points per game. This number is first in the Sun Belt and 47th in the country.
- Troy's 10.1 3-pointers per game ranks 47th in the nation and first in the Sun Belt this season.
- A multitude of Trojans have led the way offensively so far this season, with Victor Valdes pacing the scoring output at 16.5 points per game. Thomas Dowd has added 15.8 points and a Sun Belt leading 10.3 rebounds per contest. Cooper Campbell has averaged 14.0 points and 5.0 assists.
