Basketball/baseball update
January 30, 2008
Basketball-wise, forward Justin Jonus is questionable for Thursday’s game with back spasms, head coach Don Maestri said. Knowing Jonus like I do, I think he’ll play but I wonder how effective he’ll be.
Head coach Bobby Pierce was in Dothan Wednesday at the ScreenTech Wiregrass Baseball Classic press conference. This will be the last such tournament in Dothan because the NCAA has shown time and time again it doesn’t care about the sport of college baseball, cutting down on the number of weekends in the college baseball season.
Next year, Troy has 11 conference weekends and just 2 non-conference weekends. With Troy completing the 4.7 million renovation project to Riddle-Pace, the Trojans are trying to get as many home games in Troy as possible.
The shortening of weekends also calls for more midweek games. More midweek games = more classes missed = lower GPAs. All because a few northern teams complained. Not that any of them are any good at college baseball, anyway. Thanks, NCAA.
Off my soapbox. I’m looking forward to seeing Troy’s 2008 squad. Lots of question marks, but a lot of talent is on that roster. It will hit, but will it pitch? Time will tell.
EDIT - Pierce did say the field would be ready for the Feb. 22 season opener, including the wall, sound system, field, etc. The power is scheduled to be turned on for the first time next Tuesday. The new coaches’ offices/clubhouse won’t be ready, I don’t believe, but everything essential to playing the game will be ready.
