Hoops look: Alabama State at Troy
December 07, 2007
What: Alabama State (3-2) at Troy (3-4)
When: 7 p.m. CST Dec. 8
Where: Trojan Arena (4,000)
Last time out: Troy beat Shorter, an NAIA school, 83-72. Alabama State beat Oakwood, umm, 72-61
Probable starting lineups
TROY
G-Jerome Odem (6’1, 160, Sr.) - 7.9 ppg, 3.0 apg
G-O’Darien Bassett (6’2, 190, Sr.) - 16.0 ppg, 5.9 prg, 2.9 apg
F-Justin Jonus (6’6, 221, Sr.) - 17.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg
F-Trayce Macon (6’8, 191, Soph.) - 8.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg
F-Jarvis Acker (6’6, 210, Sr.) - 5.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg (2 games)
ALABAMA STATE
G-Brandon Brooks (6’2, 180, Jr.) 8.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.6 apg
G-Andrew Hayles (6’5, 195, Jr.) 12.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F-Brandon Gordon(6’7, 200, Sr.) 9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg
F-Joel Bosh(6’6, 200, Sr.) 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg
C-Chief Kickingstallionsims (7’0, 245, Jr.) 10 ppg, 3.6 rpg
What to watch for: The Trojans held Texas A&M Corpus Christi 7-footer Chris Daniels in check in a 21-point win last Saturday. Can they do the same with Chief Kickingstallionsims? Gosh, I’m hoping he is declared academically ineligible before the game so I won’t have to type his name over and over again in my game story. Seriously, though, Chief, a Stetson transfer, isn’t near the player that Daniels is, but he’s still bigger than everyone dotting a Trojan roster. Last year, Alabama State beat Troy 63-56 at ASU despite not having as much talent as Troy. This year, they’re probably more talented and more experienced than the Trojans, but basketball’s a funny sport.
Player to watch, Troy: Justin Jonus. Scoring average has gone down 11 ppg since his 44-point outburst vs. Paul Quinn, but Jonus needs a big game vs. ASU with a good shooting percentage.
Player to watch, ASU: Andrew Hayles. He hit 6 3-pointers on the way to 18 points in last year’s game with Troy. The junior can fill it up from outside the arc and should have plenty of chances against Troy’s zone.
Troy will win if: The Trojans force the tempo with its press and force ASU to play Troy’s game. The Trojans are finally healthy and eligible and are playing much better basketball.
ASU will win if: They limit turnovers against the press and get a decent game from Chief.
Drew’s prediction: Still need Troy to convince me more that they’re consistent, but a win would keep things rolling. However, ASU 79, Troy 73
