Christmas presents

December 25, 2007

Drew Champlin

Here’s what I’m thinking some Troy coaches would like for Christmas

Larry Blakeney - head football coach

1. A raise

2. Raises for his assistants, and the ability to keep most good ones for more than a year or two

3. A bowl game

4. A quarterback for next year (and a running back and a couple of cornerbacks)

Don Maestri, head basketball coach

1. A raise

2. Raises for his assistants

3. A new arena

4. A 6-foot-8, 250-pound behemoth down low

Bobby Pierce, head baseball coach

1. A raise

2. Raises for his assistants

3.

well Santa brought that, how bout some pitching?

4. A third straight NCAA Regional berth

Top Troy moments of 2007

December 22, 2007

Drew Champlin

Since there’s not much Troy athletics going on this holiday season, in a few days I will post a Top 10 Troy athletic moments of the year - probably on Dec. 31.

My question to you, faithful readers, is what are your suggestions?

We already know of two recent ones. This could include memorable games, good or bad, in all sports, or decisions to come or go from Troy by certain coaches/players.

Leave a comment or e-mail me at . I’ll be out of pocket Dec. 23-25 so I may not get to them until after Christmas, but here’s wish you all a safe and happy holidays and a Merry Christmas, and a thanks for reading the blog. Want a New Year’s resolution? Here’s one - tell five different people about the blog and let’s see if we can double the hits next year that we got this year.

Basketball final: South Alabama 84, Troy 73

December 20, 2007

Drew Champlin

EDIT - Here is the game story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Well, dang, if Troy hits another three then I’ve got the score predicted accurately (see below).

Troy was up by one at the half. What obviously hurt Troy the most was the rebounding advantage, where South Alabama had a 58-32 advantage. There was one possession where the Trojans forced a last-second shot clock long 3-pointer, but allowed USA to get the rebound.

But listening to Jerry and Barry, it sounds like the Trojans hurt themselves on a couple of possessions. While O’Darien Bassett and Justin Jonus were carrying the team, the Trojans had a long offensive possession but sophomore Tracye Macon fired up some wild shot. This was with 5:30 left and Troy down one. USA got the rebound and hit a three.

Troy’s Bassett hit a three with 3:30 left to cut the lead to 76-71, but after a timeout, Macon and Jarvis Acker had a defensive breakdown on the press where they allowed a USA player to get past them for a long pass and dunk. One thought the other was supposed to cover it.

I look for South Alabama, Western Kentucky or North Texas to win the Sun Belt title. Who’s next for Troy? WKU (Dec. 29) and UNT (Jan. 3) at home. I don’t guess the students will be back for either but a good crowd makes Trojan Arena a tough place to play.

Bassett led Troy with 25 points. Jonus and Macon each scored 12. Demetric Bennett scored 26 for the Jaguars. Domonic Tilford added 18 points and DeAndre Coleman had 10 points with 18 rebounds.

I was not at the game in Mobile, but the Press-Register covered it and I’ll link it on here tomorrow. My boss would have covered it on the way to New Orleans to join me in covering the bowl, had Troy beaten FAU. Troy basketball coach Don Maestri told me earlier this week that a bunch of Troy fans had planned on stopping by the game on the way down there, but it didn’t happen.

Thursday links

Drew Champlin

From me, football-wise, here’s a brief notebook. Basketball-wise, here’s my basketball preview.

From the Mobile Press-Register, look at basketball from a South Alabama angle, starting with the men hosting Troy and last night with the women beating Troy.

Hoops look: Troy at South Alabama

December 19, 2007

Drew Champlin

What: Troy (6-4) at South Alabama (7-3)
When: 7 p.m. CST Dec. 21
Where: Mitchell Center (10,000), Mobile
Last time out: Troy beat Jacksonville 98-80 at home. South Alabama beat Mississippi State 71-67 at home.

Probable starting lineups
TROY
G-Jerome Odem (6’1, 160, Sr.) - 6.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 51.5 3pt%
G-O’Darien Bassett (6’2, 190, Sr.) - 16.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.9 apg
F-Justin Jonus (6’6, 221, Sr.) - 14.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg
F-Trayce Macon (6’8, 191, Soph.) - 7.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg
F-Jarvis Acker (6’6, 210, Sr.) - 6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg

SOUTH ALABAMA
G-Daon Merritt (5’8, 193, Sr.) 13.0 ppg
G-BJ Ford (6’0, 165, Jr.) 4.2 ppg
G-Demetric Bennett(6’4, 205, Sr.) 20.2 ppg
F-Brandon Davis(6’6, 205, Jr.) 9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg
F-DeAndre Coleman (6’7, 233, Jr.) 6.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg

What to watch for: It’s the Sun Belt opener for both teams. Troy has won 5 straight for the first time since winning 14 straight in the 2003-04 season. The Trojans closed Sun Belt play last year with a come-from-behind overtime win when Justin Jonus hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to force overtime. South Alabama has been very impressive thus far, losing to unbeaten Ole Miss and Vanderbilt on the road by just three points each. Guard Demetric Bennett scorched the nets in a win over Mississippi State, going for 39 points and earning several national weekly honors.

Player to watch, Troy: Brandon Hazzard. The 6-foot-2 sophomore had yet another career game with 27 points Monday against Jacksonville. Can he continue it when it counts the most?

Player to watch, USA: Domonic Tilford. The 5-foot-10 sophomore is averaging 14 ppg off the bench.

Troy will win if: The Trojans need to hit at least five more 3-pointers than South Alabama, win the turnover battle and not get too manhandled on the boards.

USA will win if: It attacks the Troy press instead of reacting and setting up its offense, giving Troy’s defense a chance to get back.

Drew’s prediction: Too much experienced talent wins out at home. South Alabama 84, Troy 76