Coaching Career of Scott Price

[grahoben]

Offseason Transfers:
F/C Chuck Reid decided to transfer after one year at Troy. Reid showed flashes of potential at the end of the season, and his absence will hurt the Trojans' frontcourt depth. Now, Troy is left with three seniors (Gerald Griffin, Rob Stone, and Corey Best) to play in the post, and they might also have to use Danny Thomas more in that role.

With an open scholarship, Coach Price signed 6-11 F/C Ben McLean, who played one season with the La Salle Explorers. McLean played sparingly as a freshman, averaging just over a point per game, but he has similar potential as Reid did as a lanky stretch 4. Hopefully a year in the weight room will allow him to develop as a strong big man when he is eligible next year.

2020-21 Troy Trojans Roster:
#2 Luke Linton (6-0 Jr.) - Linton was reliable as Troy's starting point guard last season, as he ran one of the most efficient offenses in the conference. He's not much of a scorer (8.4 PPG), but he led the team in assists (4.2 APG) and is a decent outside shooter (36.4% 3pt).

#21 Steven Haslem (6-1 Jr.) - Haslem broke out as Troy's starting shooting guard, and surprisingly ended up as the leading scorer (13.2). After making the All-Sun Belt Second Team last year, Haslem will be asked to carry a heavy load as an outside shooter.

#3 Zach Petteway (5-8 Jr.) - Petteway was an electric shooter from deep last year (48.3% 3pt), but his 2.5 turnovers per game averaging just 13 minutes was too high for him to be the regular point guard.

#32 Oliver Smith (6-3 So) - Smith led Troy's freshmen in scoring last year (4.2), and was one of the best three point shooters in the country in his limited playing time (26-47, 55% 3pt). Unfortunately, he was behind Haslem on the depth chart, and doesn't do other things quite as well to warrant more playing time.

#1 Mike Guthridge (6-4 Sr.) - Based on the makeup of this year's team, Guthridge will see most of his playing time on the wing backing up Danny Thomas. Guthridge averaged 4 PPG before breaking his ankle, and didn't do much after returning for the CIT.

#14 Matt Kincade (6-1 Fr.) - Kincade redshirted last season, and with no guards leaving the team, he will need to earn playing time by impressing in practice.

#12 Russ Hix (6-5 Sr.) - Walk on who joined the team this offseason.

Forwards:
#5 Danny Thomas (6-7 Jr.) - Thomas led the Trojans in minutes last year, and he will carry a heavy load once again as the best wing on the roster. Thomas averaged a solid 10/4 last year, but he will need to improve as a three-point shooter (26%).

#40 Corey Best (6-8 Sr.) - Best was effectively benched at the end of last season, but with Chuck Reid's transfer, he has a good chance at more playing time. Best is a solid rebounder, but he has never established himself as a consistent player on offense.

#25 Kevin Watson (6-6 So.) - Watson didn't see much action as a freshman, but after a year of practice he should be ready to see more playing time. He shot the ball well last year, but has never contributed much as a rebounder or defender to this point.

#34 Eric Swift (6-6 Fr.) - Swift was a 2-star recruit, and is a raw talent at this point, so he will need to work hard for playing time. His biggest strength right now is as a three-point shooter, but the other parts of his game need work.

#33 Ben McLean (6-11 So.) - McLean will be redshirted after transferring from La Salle this offseason. He averaged 1.1 PPG playing about 3 minutes per contest, and will take the offseason to develop as a stretch 4/5.

Centers:
#41 Gerald Griffin (6-9 Sr.) - Griffin was one of the first Trojans off the bench last season, and was probably the best rebounder and post defender on the team. His efficiency has room for improvement, as his FG% was pretty underwhelming for a big.

#13 Rob Stone (6-10 Sr.) - Stone was the best post scorer on last year's team, but his interior defense was a noticeable weakness. If his defense improves, he has the potential to be an All-Conference player.

#52 Kory Napier (6-9 Jr.) - Walk on who appeared in 4 games last season.

[grahoben]

2020-21 Schedule

November
16: vs Louisiana Tech
20: vs Iona
24: vs Jacksonville State
28: at Kent State

December
1: vs UAB
5: at South Dakota State
9: vs Vermont
12: at Monmouth
19: vs Eastern Illinois
22: at Villanova
29: at Fresno State

January:
6: at Coastal Carolina
9: vs Little Rock
14: at Georgia State
16: at UL-Monroe
21: vs South Alabama
23: at UT-Arlington
27: at Arkansas State
30: vs Appalachian State

February
4: vs Coastal Carolina
6: at Texas State
10: vs UL-Lafayette
13: at Georgia Southern
17: at Little Rock
20: vs Georgia State
24: vs UL-Monroe
26: at South Alabama

March
4: vs UT-Arlington
6: vs Arkansas State

Sun Belt Preseason Poll:
1. Troy
2. Coastal Carolina
3. South Alabama
4. UL-Lafayette
5. Georgia Southern
6. Georgia State
7. Texas State
8. Little Rock
9. UL-Monroe
10. Appalachian State
11. UT-Arlington
12. Arkansas State

[PointGuard]

Playing Villanova and Fresno State on the road should be a challenge.

[grahoben]

Villanova is preseason #19 so that will definitely be a tough game. Kent State is also coming off a 20-win season and a trip to the NIT so they should be pretty good.

Here's the preseason AP Poll:
1. Florida
2. Kansas
3. Michigan State
4. Louisville
5. Xavier
6. Kentucky
7. Texas
8. Duke
9. Wisconsin
10. Gonzaga
11. North Carolina
12. Maryland
13. Ohio State
14. Syracuse
15. West Virginia
16. Clemson
17. Georgetown
18. Texas A&M
19. Villanova
20. Indiana
21. Temple
22. Michigan
23. Creighton
24. Virginia
25. Memphis

[grahoben]

Louisiana Tech came in as the preseason Conference USA favorite, but that didn't stop Troy from cruising to a 20-point win on opening night. Mike Guthridge and Corey Best had career nights as the first off the bench, and provided a huge boost after not contributing much at the end of last season. Overall, the Trojans dominated under the basket, outscoring Louisiana Tech 38-8 in the paint.

Sun Belt Scores:
Sun Belt Scores:
Grambling 72 @ South Alabama 66
Georgia State 58 @ #13 Ohio State 70
Alabama State 75 @ Arkansas State 87
Appalachian State 59 @ Virginia Tech 75
Coastal Carolina 55 @ #20 Indiana 95
Georgia Southern 57 @ Northwestern 81
UL-Lafayette 78 @ #22 Michigan 56 (!)
James Madison 75 @ UL-Monroe 69
Little Rock 55 @ Towson 73
UT-Arlington 71 @ UCLA 74

[grahoben]

Troy shot the ball very poorly, but by grabbing 11 offensive rebounds and turning over the ball just 5 times, the Trojans put up 23 more shots throughout the game. This time, the starting five carried the load as Rob Stone put up his first double double of the year. Haslem and Linton shot the ball well from long range, as they made 5 of Troy's 6 threes.

Sun Belt Scores:
Richmond 55 @ Texas State 71
Coastal Carolina 56 @ Gardner Webb 61
Arkansas State 64 @ #17 Georgetown 87
Samford 64 @ South Alabama 71
Mount St. Mary's 91 @ UT-Arlington 71
Loyola MD 75 @ Appalachian State 66

[grahoben]

Troy finished it's homestand to start the year at 3-0, easily beating Jacksonville State with a big first half. The Trojans held the Gamecocks to shooting just 36% from the field, and on the offensive end had their best shooting night so far. Through three games, Troy is now tied for first in the nation (with Xavier) for committing just 6 turnovers per game.

Sun Belt Scores:
UL-Lafayette 70 @ #3 Kentucky 88
Jackson State 50 @ Little Rock 60
Georgia Southern 57 @ Miami FL 74
Southern Illinois 62 @ Coastal Carolina 64
Appalachian State 64 @ UNC Wilmington 73
Arkansas State 60 @ Arizona 73

Non-Conference Tournament update:
Florida wins the 2K Sports Classic, defeating Michigan State in the championship
Oregon wins the NIT Season Tip-Off, defeating Memphis in the championship
Texas A&M wins the Maui Invitational, defeating Oklahoma in the championship
Clemson wins the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, defeating Kentucky in the championship

[grahoben]

Troy's first road trip of the year didn't go well, as the Trojans were lit up on defense similar to how they were many times at the beginning of last season. Rob Stone's foul trouble prevented him from making a huge impact, and his absence was missed as Corey Best didn't score in the game. The Trojans ran a solid offense, shooting nearly 50% from the floor, but only forced 6 turnovers and gave Kent State way too many shots.

Sun Belt scores:
North Florida 86 @ UL-Monroe 87
Georgia State 65 @ West Virginia 78
Lafayette 65 @ UT-Arlington 77
Winthrop 74 @ South Alabama 82
#24 Buffalo 63 @ Appalachian State 83
Miami (OH) 74 @ UL-Lafayette 64
Texas State 73 @ Providence 63
Lehigh 63 @ Coastal Carolina 80
Georgia Southern 54 @ Wisconsin 78
Western Carolina 74 @ UL-Monroe 86
Wofford 76 @ Arkansas State 73
Texas A&M CC 73 @ Little Rock 62

Nonconference Tournament update:
Arkansas wins the WS Midwest Invitational, defeating USC in the championship
Indiana wins the Battle 4 Atlantis, defeating Arizona State in the championship

[grahoben]

Troy cruised to a win over its in-state rival, as the Trojans had a hot shooting night and played great defense throughout the game, holding UAB to 25 points in each half. Rob Stone ended his three-point drought, and he was solid overall with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Sun Belt scores:
Appalachian State 80 @ Hartford 83
Cal Poly 53 @ Georgia Southern 69
UT-Arlington 54 @ Jacksonville State 67
Tennessee Tech 69 @ Texas State 79
Marshall 68 @ Coastal Carolina 73
South Dakota State 60 @ UL-Monroe 55

Nonconference tournament update:
Saint Mary's wins the Charleston Classic, defeating Baylor in the championship
Tulsa wins the Advocare Invitational, defeating South Carolina in the championship

[grahoben]

The Trojans came back from a narrow halftime deficit, and Rob Stone had another huge game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Troy won the battle in the paint once again, as they led in both points in the paint, and second chance points.

Injury Report: Corey Best left the game early with a back injury that will keep him sidelined for 2-3 months. Walkon big man Kory Napier will probably see increased playing time, as he played well in a career high 15 minutes against South Dakota State.

Sun Belt scores:
Weber State 52 @ UL-Lafayette 73
Arkansas State 39 @ Texas 69
South Alabama 79 @ Bryant 101
Southern 72 @ Little Rock 68
UL-Monroe 54 @ Providence 73
Texas State 65 @ St. John's 72
Toledo 56 @ Coastal Carolina 68
Samford 60 @ Appalachian State
Citadel 67 @ UL-Lafayette 82
Arkansas State 56 @ Weber State 75
Georgia State 36 @ Delaware State 76
Norfolk State 78 @ Georgia State 90
UT-Arlington 80 @ Central Connecticut 69
South Alabama 80 @ Central Arkansas 87

AP Poll:
1. Florida (8-0)
2. Michigan State (7-1)
3. Clemson (8-0)
4. Kentucky (7-1)
5. Memphis (7-1)
6. Arkansas (7-0)
7. Kansas (5-2)
8. Texas A&M (6-0)
9. Saint Mary's (7-1)
10. Indiana (6-1)
11. North Carolina (6-1)
12. Louisville (5-2)
13. Georgetown (6-0)
14. Syracuse (5-0)
15. Oregon (5-1)
16. South Carolina (6-2)
17. Gonzaga (5-2)
18. Duke (4-2)
19. Villanova (4-2)
20. Cincinnati (5-1)
21. Pittsburgh (5-1)
22. Oklahoma (6-2)
23. DePaul (6-0)
24. Illinois (5-0)
25. Tennessee (5-1)