Hoops look: Troy at Alabama

By Drew Champlin

Published: November 9, 2007

What: Troy at Alabama
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 9
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Last time out: Alabama defeated North Alabama 99-71 Monday in an exhibition and Troy defeated West Alabama 112-76 Monday in an exhibition.

Probable starting lineups
TROY (13-17 last season)
G-Jerome Odem (6’1, 160, Sr.) - 7 pts, 4 assists vs. West Alabama
G-O’Darien Bassett (6’2, 190, Sr.) - leading scorer last season at 15.1 ppg, 20 ots vs. West Alabama
F-Justin Jonus (6’6, 221, Sr.) - 25 pts vs. West Alabama; 9.9 ppg last season as midyear transfer
F-Trayce Macon (6’8, 191, Soph.) - 9 pts, 9 reb vs. West Alabama
C-Tom Jervis (7’0, 230, Jr.) - 10 pts, 1 reb, 2-2 3pt vs. West Alabama

ALABAMA
G-Rico Pickett (6’3, 178, Fr.) 13 pts, 11 ast vs. UNA
G-Mykal Riley (6’6, 185, Sr.) 13 pts, 10 reb vs. UNA
G-Alonzo Gee (6’6, 219, Jr.) 10 pts, 5 reb vs. UNA
F-Richard Hendrix (6’8, 255, Jr.) leading returning scorer and rebounder; 18 pts, 9 reb vs. North Alabama
F-Demetrius Jemison (6’7, 234, So.) 8 pts, 10 reb vs. North Alabama

What to watch for: Troy’s Jarvis Acker will start if he got his academic hurdle cleared in time for tipoff. The 6-foot-6 forward did not play against West Alabama and redshirted last year. The senior was replaced in that game by Tom Jervis. Alabama is breaking in a freshman at point guard, Rico Pickett, after senior Ron Steele decided to take a medical redshirt. Troy will look to force the issue with a new-look, full court pressure defense for the entire game, while Alabama will look to its athletes to break it for 2-on-1 opportunities.

Player to watch, Troy: Justin Jonus. The senior played for two and a half seasons (one redshirt) at Alabama before abruptly leaving in the middle of the 2005-06 season.

Player to watch, Alabama: Rico Pickett. The freshman won the starting point guard job over sophomore returner Mikhail Torrance. Troy’s 40 minutes of hell defense will try to force the youngster into making mistakes.

Troy will win if: The Trojans hit at least 15 threes. Alabama has been traditionally poor in defending the 3-point shot, so expect the Trojans to get several open looks. They’ll need to hit most of them in order to pull the upset.

Alabama will win if: Richard Hendrix has his usual game. The 6’8, 255-pound junior should dominate down low against a team that let some no-name from West Alabama score 22 and grab 21 rebounds. Troy’s biggest problem will be handling Hendrix and other Tide forwards Demetrius Jemison, Yamene Coleman and Justin Knox.

Drew’s prediction: Alabama 91, Troy 76