Troy men’s basketball is set to take on LaGrange at Trojan Arena in Troy, Alabama, on Saturday, December 6. This matchup concludes a brief two-game homestand for the Trojans. Troy is looking to bounce back from a recent double overtime defeat against West Georgia, where Victor Valdes led the scoring effort with 29 points. Additionally, Thomas Dowd recorded an impressive double-double, marking his sixth of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Despite their strong performance, the Trojans fell to a 5-5 record with two games remaining before the Sun Belt Conference schedule kicks off on December 20 against Marshall.
Game Details
The upcoming game against LaGrange is scheduled as follows:
- Location: Trojan Arena, Troy, AL (Capacity: 5,200)
- Matchup: Troy vs. LaGrange
- Date & Time: Saturday, December 6 at 3:33 PM CT
- Watch: ESPN+
- Listen: Troy Sports Media Network
- Tickets: Available at TroyTrojans.com/tickets
Troy’s Season Overview
This season has already seen an unusual number of overtime games, with four of the first 10 contests extending beyond regulation. Notably, the Trojans achieved a victory against Kent State and experienced two double ot games, one of which was against West Georgia. Troy’s record for most overtime games in a single season is six, a mark reached in both the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons.
Player Highlights:
- Thomas Dowd ranks among the elite players in Division I, averaging 15.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
- He has been instrumental with six double-doubles this season, ranking third nationally.
- Victor Valdes is the leading scorer for Troy, averaging 16.8 points per game.
Scouting LaGrange
LaGrange arrives in Troy after a convincing 100-81 win against Sewanee, improving their season record to 4-2. They currently rank 17th in Division III for scoring offense, averaging 90.0 points per game. Devin Dowell leads the Panthers in scoring, averaging 17.5 points, while Micah McAllister contributes 15.0 points per game primarily off the bench.
Upcoming Schedule
Following the matchup with LaGrange, Troy will enter a one-week break before facing UAB on December 14. This game is set for 2 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Coaching and Team Achievements
Head coach Scott Cross is now in his seventh season with the Trojans, boasting an overall record of 108-92. Under his leadership, Troy has consistently achieved over 20 wins in the last four seasons, including a strong performance in Sun Belt play.
Troy aims to maintain its impressive home court presence this season while facing a unique challenge of replacing a significant portion of its previous scoring roster. The Trojans have excelled at forcing turnovers, averaging 15.6 turnovers forced per game, ranking first in the Sun Belt and 42nd nationally.
