Super Bowl Update

Troy could be shorthanded again when the Trojans (1-2) travel to UAB (0-2) for Tuesday's 7 p.m. basketball game.

Junior point guard Will Weathers turned his ankle last week in practice and didn't make the trip to East Tennessee State Saturday, where the Trojans overcame a slow start, turned it over 17 times and only ended up losing by 10, 81-71. (above photo ETSU athletics)

His status for the UAB game is questionable.

"He hasn't practiced," head coach Don Maestri said Monday after Troy's morning practice. "We'll find out during warmups. If he can warm up, he may give it a shot."
Nic Combs started at point guard against ETSU and had just two turnovers. He scored 10 points with four rebounds and four assists, but Weathers' absence was felt.

"We lose a big part of our ball club," Maestri said. "He's an all-conference player. (ETSU) pressed us the whole time, and we had trouble. It was bad timing on the schedule. Combs had some bright spots, but he's not as fast as Weathers is."

Troy is redshirting four players - forwards Westley Hinton, Breon Dixon, Sidki Muwallif and guard D.J. Jethroe.

Two more players are battling injuries in forward Steven Cunningham (undisclosed injury) and forward Justin Wright (back). Wright is playing through the pain, but it's really limiting his effectiveness, Maestri said, and he's slated to see a back specialist this week. Cunningham is questionable for the game, but Wright should play.

UAB is 0-2, but its length should give the Trojans trouble. Cameron Moore, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound senior, is averaging a double-double (11.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg) and Ovie Soko (6-foot-8, 222 pounds) is scoring 10 ppg and getting 8.5 rpg. Guards Jekore Tyler and Jordan Swing are also top scorers, but the Blazers are struggling at the point guard spot.

With Weathers possibly out, though, the Trojans will struggle to win this game. If he's able to play effectively, they have a chance.