Troy preview is up:
TROY PREVIEW
Troy apparantly subscribes to the Darrell Dickey theory of recruiting...this was a ***** to put together...and I would love for a Troy fan and come through and correct this where they see fit
Don Maestri is the elder statesman of SBC coaches. Maestri took over at Troy in 1982 and quickly turned the Trojans into a Division II power and continued his success when Troy moved to Division I in 1993, contending for league titles and eventually NCAA and NIT tourney bids in three different conferences before joining the SBC two seasons ago. Success has been harder to come by in the Belt however, translating into two consecutive losing seasons and double digit conferences losses. And with four of the team’s five leading scorers and their top three rebounders gone, three straight losing seasons is a distinct possibility.
Projected Starters:
PG. Jerome Odem 6'1" 150 Sr.
SG. O'Darien Bryant 6'1" 182 Sr.
SF. Justin Jonus 6'6" 220 Sr.
PF. Bernard Toombs 6'8" 200 Soph.
C. Tom Jervis 6'11" 230 Jr.
Frontcourt: Gone are SBC Defensive Player of the Year Sammy Sharp (6'7" 200) and space-eater Cedric Jackson (6'7" 260) and the 22 points and 13 rebounds they combined for last season. The only proven commodity for the Trojans up front is Justin Jonus (6'6" 220 Sr.). The Alabama transfer was solid in his role as sixth man last year after joining the team in December, appearing in twenty games all off the bench and averaging 9 points per contest and shooting a solid 40% from the 19'9". Jonus will be counted on to expand his role and increase productivity in order for Troy to be competitive. Sophomore post Bernard Toombs (6'8" 200) was a well regarded prospect out of Georgia but saw limited action on an upper-classman laden roster. Toombs will be given the chance to impress in a small and unproven frontcourt in 07-08. If Toombs struggles, look for one of two seniors to pick up the slack. Jarvis Acker (6'7" 210), who was suspended before last season and later took a redshirt, is a defensive minded forward with a decent offensive game similar to the departed Sharp. Ralph Jennings (6'8" 200) is an athletic and active rebounder (3.4rpg in 15.7mpg), but is limited mainly to put backs offensively. The frontcourt X-factor will be Tom Jervis (6’11” 230 Jr.) and how he fits into Maestri’s up-tempo style. The Australian JUCO transfer is the only legitimate post currently on the Troy roster, both in height and frame, but it may be his ability or inability to run the floor that dictates his minutes. Jervis averaged 11 points at Bevill St. – Fayetteville College last season, and was a solid contributor on the defensive end, averaging 3.4 blocks including three games swatting eight shots. Swingman Kenny Ware (6’6” 205 Jr.), a transfer from Okaloosa Walton CC should contend for time at either the 2 or 3 position.
Backcourt: The best player in the Sun Belt that you’ve never heard of is O’Darien Bassott (6’1” 182 Sr.). Bassott led a balanced Trojan attack last season, averaging 15.1 points and contributing 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest. All the attention will now be squarely on Bassott’s shoulders with the departure of sharpshooter Boo Ramsey (5’11” 194) and former Utah Ute Richard Cheney (6’4” 205). Bassott is a poor man’s Bo McCalebb, a decent outside shooter (38% 3pt) who likes to attack the bucket, and will have to put up McCalebb like numbers in order for Troy to be in games. Joining Bassott in the backcourt, Jerome Odem has the inside track at starting at the point. Odem (6’1” 150 Sr.) started 19 games last season and led the team in assists (3.2apg), but should be pushed by both Brandon Hazzard (6’1” 195 Soph.) and Michael Vogler (6’0 180 Soph.). Hazzard saw minimal action last season, but like Toombs was a well thought of recruit, and should improve upon his paltry freshman statistics (2.3ppg, 0.9 apg). Vogler is a pure point who comes to Troy after a season at Chipola CC. Josh Williams (5’11” 162 Jr.) saw limited action last year. Arguably the best player on the roster will be sitting out next season. Richard Delk (6’4” 175 Jr.) is the lesser of the former Mississippi St. twins; Reginald transferred to Louisville. Delk played the wing for MSU, but cited the want to play point guard as his motivation for transferring.
Note: As of 8/3/07, Troy has at most 11 players on scholarship, leaving as many as two still available. Two names associated with the Trojans are Trayce Macon (6’8’ 200 Soph.) and Mario Telfair (6’6” 200 Jr.), both of Santa Fe CC in Gainesville, FL, however I am unable to get any official confirmation. If these players are on the roster, look for Macon to push as starter at the 4 and Telfair to play a significant role behind Jonus.
Overall: Last season five Trojans averaged double figures. Four of those players are gone, taking with them nearly 48 points and 23 rebounds per game. A reasonable expectation of Jonus is up his scoring by five, and maybe get 15ppg from whoever ends up at the posts. So, with some quick math, Bassott would only have to average about 44 points per contest for Troy to match last seasons numbers. And that’s just to get to an 8-10 SBC record. Hyperbole, perhaps, but the point gets through…Troy is O’Darien Bassott, and then a bunch of guys. Coupled with the fact Troy will be playing in the difficult SBC East and this could be a long season for Maestri and his Trojans.