Preview: UD vs. Troy

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About Troy

The Trojans are coming off a 92-57 loss at LSU on Sunday, but they had posted three straight wins before that. They shoot nearly 30 three-pointers per game and are averaging about 80 points. Expect a fast-paced game. The Flyers like to run, too.

About Dayton

The Flyers are playing their fifth game in 10 days, but fatigue shouldn't be a factor with their quality bench. Chris Wright leads UD in scoring, rebounding (8.8) and acrobatic dunks. His slam over Marquette guard Maurice Acker was posted on YouTube right after the game and was ranked No. 4 on ESPN's plays of the week.

Outlook

UD could be primed for a letdown, but coach Brian Gregory should have no trouble finding at least five engaged players.

Quote

"Offensively, we want to stay on the attack and push the ball and get high-quality shots," Gregory said. "If that comes off two passes, so be it. If it takes five or six passes with a dribble penetration, that?s what we have to do."

 

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Trojan battle
Troy faces undefeated Dayton tonight



The Troy Trojans men?s basketball team is ready to challenge the Dayton Flyers tonight, and the challenge is bigger than most would believe.

The Trojans (3-4) have the task off facing a Dayton (6-0) team that is fresh off of a victory over 12th ranked Marquette.

?They?re a very good basketball team, and we?re looking forward to playing them,? Trojans head coach Don Maestri said.

The Flyers? undefeated win streak consists of victories over Auburn, and another notable victory over Mercer. Mercer has knocked off Auburn and Alabama and took Georgia Tech to overtime earlier this season, but fell to the Flyers by 18 points.

Maestri feels like the Trojans match up well with the Flyers and their style of play.

?They like to play an up-tempo style just like we do,? Maestri said. ?This could be a very high-scoring game. That?s how we like to play. It will boil down to us and how we hit shots.?

The Trojans are coming off of a loss at LSU 92-57 on Sunday night, but Maestri said despite the loss a tough game can only help improve the Trojans.

?Our schedule is the toughest it?s been since we?ve been in Division 1,? Maestri said.

?Our team?s made big improvements. In the Georgia State game we learned how to win one late in the game. That?s going to help us a lot. Every time our team has success it builds confidence.?

The Trojans gained some of their confidence in the LSU Thanksgiving Tournament, and Maestri anticipates their confidence to only increase as the season progresses.

?It was a good experience for us,? Maestri said. ?We were pleased with everything except the Centenary game. We played good against Alcorn State. We played great against Northwestern State, and LSU defensively is probably one of the best teams in the country.?

Maestri and the team are looking to use the LSU game as a learning experience that will help them against Dayton.

?Win or lose, we?ll come out ahead because we?re playing a tough opponent that will only make us better,? Maestri said.