Super Bowl Update

Troy point guard Will Weathers looks at one thing every day: a magazine clipping where the Trojans are picked last in the Sun Belt.

The predictions came as no surprise to Troy coaches and players, since the Trojans have 10 players on scholarship who didn't play last year.

"I look at it every day before I go to practice and before I go to the game," Weathers said after Monday's exhibition win over West Alabama. "I feel like everybody's doubting us."

Troy went 8-21 last year and lost five seniors, plus three more underclassmen who played a little bit last year. Weathers had 10 assists in the exhibition, and the five double-digit scorers were all newcomers.

"These guys are more energetic than last year's team," Weathers said. "They're more eager to learn and play defense."

Defense will be a key for the Trojans, who open the regular season tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Texas Tech (follow media relations student guru Tyler Pigg @iamtylerpigg on twitter for game updates, I'll be covering football at Barbour County). Troy will play 10 or 11 guys and full court press the entire game.

"I got on to R.J. (Scott) after that second or third three," head coach Don Maestri said about Scott's trio of threes in the second half. "I don't know if he was looking for his mama in the stands or what. It's tough for guys to discipline yourself that as soon as you make a shot, you've got to immediately think 'press.'"

For a good look at Texas Tech - and I do think this is a game Troy will be competitive in, if not win, read HERE and HERE. Texas Tech has a brand new coach and double-digit newcomers as well.

Friday's football links: Wrote a notebook today, but led mostly on the development of defensive tackle Kyle Lucas, who walked on, earned his scholarship, made the successful move from defensive end to defensive tackle and played well in his first career start.

You can read the story HERE.

From the Denton Record-Chronicle, HERE is a good profile on freshman right guard Cyril Lemon.

Fall signing period: Troy hoops isn't expected to sign anyone during the week-long signing period. Troy baseball will sign a few, one being LHP Levi Tate from Enterprise High School. You can read more about that HERE.

Troy is expected or already has received paperwork on a few more signees, including former local high school talents Ben Tidwell (LHP-Gulf Coast CC via G.W. Long High School) and Will Starling (RHP-Southern Union CC via Pike Liberal Arts).

As a freshman, Starling threw two complete games, including the championship game, as Southern Union won the Alabama state title last year.