Hoops look: Western Kentucky at Troy
December 29, 2007
GAMEDAY LINKS
Dothan Eagle: Troy hosts WKU.
Bowling Green Daily News: Western Kentucky’s second season begins at Troy
What: Western Kentucky (8-4) at Troy (6-5)
When: 7 p.m. CST Dec. 29
Where: Trojan Arena, Troy (4,000)
Last time out: Troy fell at South Alabama 84-73; WKU lost at Southern Illinois 88-78
Probable starting lineups
TROY
G-Jerome Odem (6’1, 160, Sr.) - 6.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 52.9 3pt%
G-O’Darien Bassett (6’2, 190, Sr.) - 17.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.8 apg
F-Justin Jonus (6’6, 221, Sr.) - 14.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg
F-Trayce Macon (6’8, 191, Soph.) - 8.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg
F-Jarvis Acker (6’6, 210, Sr.) - 6.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg
WESTERN KENTUCKY
G-Tyrone Brazelton (5’11, 170, Sr.) 12.0 ppg, 3.3 apg
G-AJ Slaughter (6’3, 180, So.) 7.4 ppg, 46.7% 3pt
G-Courtney Lee(6’5, 200, Sr.) 21.8 ppg, 4.2
F-DJ Magley(6’9, 260, Fr.) 5.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg
F-Jeremy Evans (6’9, 190, So.) 3.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.7 bpg
What to watch for: Troy head coach Don Maestri feels this WKU team is the best to ever come to Trojan Arena. Courtney Lee, the Hilltoppers’ star swingman, has been mentioned as an NBA prospect, even by NBA star LeBron James. Troy is 1-2 against WKU in two years, but could be 3-0. After a win two years ago, Troy let a 10-point lead with 4 minutes to go evaporate, and Lee hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send it to OT in Bowling Green. That came after Troy’s Justin Jonus missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with five seconds to go that would have iced the game. WKU won in OT. In Troy later last year, Troy’s O’Darien Bassett missed a potential game-tying free throw with five seconds left. After a turnover, Bassett banked in a half-court shot, but officials said he stepped out of bounds. WKU won 75-74.
Both teams will play as many as 12 players.
Player to watch, Troy: Justin Jonus. The 6-foot-6 senior needs to improve on that 29.8 3pt percentage.
Player to watch, WKU: Jeremy Evans. The 6-foot-9 string bean had 18 points and 13 rebounds against Troy last year in Troy.
Troy will win if: The Trojans keep the game going fast-paced and don’t get totally outmanned on the boards. A nice, boisterous crowd would help.
WKU will win if: Lee is on track and the big men dominate down low
Drew’s prediction: The Hilltoppers are a little bit better. WKU 84-78.
