Troy to Rely on Person, Redshirts

(This is the first of an eleven part series previewing the basketball teams in the Sun Bell Conference.)

TROY TROJANS:  Coach:  Phil Cunningham (3rd season)

2014-15 Record: (10-19, 5-15) 11th in Sun Belt

KEY RETURNEES:  Wesley Person (14.2, 2.8), John Walton III (8.4, 5.7), Kelton Ford (7.3, 2.3, 65 ast.)

KEY LOSSES:  Musa Abdul-Aleem (16.0, 4.8), Chris Bilbo (8.4, 85 ast.), Kevin Thomas (10.3, 8..1)

Last year, whatever hopes Troy had to be an improved basketball team vanished when they lost three players to season ending injuries before the season started.

That was the bad news.

The good news was, freshman Wesley Person got a chance to shine...and shine he did.

Person became the first Troy player to garner Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors after a season where he averaged more than 14 points per game and showed he can be one of the deadly shooters in the league.

"We didn't know he would have to play such a vital role," head coach Phil Cunningham says. "But he seized the day."  And, Cunningham likes what he sees from Person as the Trojans get ready for the season.  "He's quicker and stronger.  He's changed his body and wants to get better.  He has a pro mindset and work ethic."

Is obvious who the Trojans will build around as they continue Cunningham's rebuilding process.  Starting forward John Walton III and part time starter Kelvin Ford also return as the nucleus of the club.

But if the Trojans are going to be better, a lot of new faces will have to play major roles. The three redshirts who were being counted on a year ago, guard Jeremy Hollimon (JUCO transfer) should be the best of the redshirts, but a pair of 6-8 forwards, sophomore Jaro Moravek and freshman Damian Ottman, will be counted on heavily.

"Not many people talk about us because not many people know about us," Cunningham said. "No excuses, but we had just eight scholarship players a year ago.  The redshirts, plus the four new guys we signed, should help us."

Yet, Cunningham will admit his team has plenty of question marks.

"We are going to have to rebound by committee," he said.  John Walton i6-7, 220) is proven, but we'll have to show we can rebound the ball."

Troy will also have to be better at handling the ball  They'll have to improve their assist/turnover ratio (271/410),, which was last in the Sun Belt.  The Trojans averaged just over nine assists per game.

OUTLOOK:  Person is a wonderful player to build around.  He's shown he can score with anyone in the league and with a year of experience under his belt, will be even better as a sophomore.  The question is going to be the supporting cast.  There's little experience other than Walton and Ford returning.  Hollimon should help them right away.  But depth, rebounding and questions at the point guard still remain.  That's a lot of questions.  The Trojans, with one of the league's best players, can't be taken lightly.  But it will be a surprise if they don't struggle again this year.  Unless a lot of newcomers step up, just making it to the Sun Belt Tournament would be an accomplishment.