Some Troy basketball thoughts
December 28, 2007
Troy hosts Western Kentucky Saturday at 7 p.m. Head coach Don Maestri feels like this WKU team is the best team to ever come to Trojan Arena. Senior swingman Courtney Lee averages more than 21 ppg and he’s being touted as an NBA prospect. Senior point guard Tyrone Brazelton averages 12 ppg but isn’t much of an assist man.
I think the WKU team two years ago was better, but that’s just me. I’m also not a 26-year head basketball coach. That team featured Lee as a sophomore, who was still very good, and Anthony Winchester, a 6-foot-4 guard who was Sun Belt Player of the Year. It also had a dominant center in Elgrace Wilborn and a ton of depth, like this year’s team, but no real point guard as Brazelton was in junior college.
This year’s team has a point guard, but no dominant big man. 6-foot-9, 190-pound forward Jeremy Evans had his fun with Troy last year with an 18-point, 13-rebound performance in a 75-74 win at Troy, but that was more the exception than the norm.
Two years ago? Troy shot WKU out of the gym in a 76-49 win. It was one of just two conference regular-season losses for the Hilltoppers last year.
It should be a good game. It would be better if school was already back in session, but if you’re in the Montgomery, Troy or Dothan area, drive the hour or less and catch a good basketball game.
Here’s some reading. From longtime Sand Mountain Reporter sports editor Shannon J. Allen, here’s a feature on Justin Jonus.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Hilltoppers are wary of improved Sun Belt rivals.
