Hoops look: Troy at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
November 30, 2007
What: Troy (1-4) at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1-3)
When: 3 p.m. CST Dec. 1
Where: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Last time out: Troy fell at Ole Miss 102-76. TAMCC fell at DePaul 85-70.
Probable starting lineups
TROY
G-Jerome Odem (6’1, 160, Sr.) - 9.4 ppg, 3.5 apg
G-O’Darien Bassett (6’2, 190, Sr.) - 16.8 ppg, 6.6 prg, 32% FG
F-Justin Jonus (6’6, 221, Sr.) - 19.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg
F-Trayce Macon (6’8, 191, Soph.) - 9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg
F-Jarvis Acker (6’6, 210, Sr.) - First game of 2007/08 season
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI
G-Tim Green (6’3, 190, Jr.) 10.5 ppg
G-Shannon Shorter (6’4, 200, Fr.) 4.5 ppg
G-Kevin Perkins(6’1, 160, Fr.) 15.0 ppg
F-Justin Reynolds(6’9, 230, Fr.) 11.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg
C-Chris Daniels (7’0, 265, Sr.) 18.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg
What to watch for: Troy’s Jarvis Acker finally returns after missing the first five games because of an academic issue. He has been practicing with the team from the get-go but was recently cleared. If he doesn’t start, he’ll play at least 25 minutes. The Trojans got reserve forward Mario Telfair back from a broken nose and he had six points and seven rebounds against Ole Miss. O’Darien Bassett continues to struggle with his shot, shooting just 32 percent from the field. This is certainly a winnable game for the Trojans, who desparately need one for confidence’s sake. The Islanders, who make a return trip to Troy on Dec. 15, went to the NCAA Tournament last year and nearly upset No. 2-seed Wisconsin, but lost a lot off that team and start three freshmen. Eight freshmen dot the roster, which is led by 7-foot NBA prospect Chris Daniels at center. The Trojans are at a rebounding disadvantage again, on paper.
Player to watch, Troy: O’Darien Bassett. If Troy wants to win, the senior guard needs to up the shooting percentage.
Player to watch, TAMCC: Chris Daniels. He could have gone to the NBA last year, but the 7-footer provides a size and experience advantage that no one on the Trojans can match.
Troy will win if: The Trojans get 40 points combined from Justin Jonus and O’Darien Bassett. Normally, I’d say 35, but this game is on the road. Take Troy’s first half against Ole Miss and second half against Georgia State and Troy may win, but Troy absolutely has to put together a complete game.
TAMCC will win if: they establish the game down low with Daniels and get him to dominate.
Drew’s prediction: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87, Troy 81
