Troy at Middle Tenn. today
February 04, 2010
I was too bogged down with football to write a hoops preview, but Troy is at Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m. today.
Troy, at 7-4 in the league, is a game behind FAU and MTSU for the East lead with 7 games to go. The top 3 seeds in the league get byes for the first round of the Sun Belt tournament, meaning you just have to win 3 games in 3 days instead of 4 in 4 days. Well, Troy can lose a game or two and still get the bye, BUT can’t lose any of these games: this one, the Feb. 18 home game vs. FAU and the Feb. 20 home game vs. MTSU.
HERE is a game preview story from the Daily News Journal. I asked beat writer Adam Sparks a couple of questions about the program and its recent hot streak.
1. It seemed like MTSU was struggling early in conference play. What has led to its turnaround?
MTSU has 7 new players, and it’s taken a little while for them to mesh. But Desmond Yates was out first 7 games and limited a little after that. He’s still not 100 pct healthy. I think beating WKU twice provided a lot of confidence.
2. What other players have stepped up to help out Desmond Yates?
Calvin O’Neil has been the team’s all-around best player for the last month. He has played lockdown defense, scored key baskets, and provided good steady play. First-year PG James Washington and other new players have all taken turns having good games. This team seems more complete than past teams. Plus, this one is getting better rather than worse as season goes on.
