Troy Trojans Face Tough Test Against San Diego State Aztecs in California Road Trip
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The Troy Trojans (3–2) will look to rebound from recent losses as they face a challenging matchup against the San Diego State Aztecs (2-0) at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. CT. The game, broadcast on the Mountain West Network and the Troy Sports Media Network, marks the third contest in a four-game stretch for the Trojans in the state of California.
The Trojans have stumbled in their last two outings, most recently falling to CSUN 94–85 on Sunday. A key factor in the defeat was allowing 51 first-half points and being outrebounded by 17. Despite the loss, Coby Campbell showcased his offensive prowess, contributing 17 points and four assists, while Thomas Dowd continued his strong start to the season with 16 points and eight rebounds.
This contest renews a rivalry with the Aztecs, a series currently tied at one win apiece. The teams last met in 2022, a game where Troy held a second-half lead before ultimately falling 55-60. Aamer Muhammad led the Trojans in scoring that day with 21 points. Prior to that, Troy secured a 93-84 victory over San Diego State in 2003, also at Viejas Arena.
Aztecs Present Defensive Challenge
San Diego State returns to action after a nine-day break, boasting a perfect 2-0 record with wins over Long Beach State and Idaho State. The Aztecs have garnered attention for their stifling defense, receiving 71 votes in the latest AP Poll and narrowly missing a spot in the Top 25. Currently, SDSU ranks second nationally in scoring defense, conceding a mere 51.0 points per game. According to KenPom, their defense is eighth-ranked overall. Reese Dixon-Waters currently leads the Aztecs in scoring, averaging 15.0 points per game.
Road Stretch Continues for Troy
This game is part of a demanding six-game road stretch for Troy. Following Tuesday’s matchup, the Trojans will travel to Los Angeles to face USC on Thursday, with the game airing on the Big Ten Network at 9 p.m. CT. The team will then head to Ft. Myers, Florida, for the Coconut Hoops multi-team event, where they will face Toledo and either Belmont or Saint Francis.
Trojans Facing Program Evolution
Scott Cross is in his seventh season as head coach of the Trojans, having compiled a 106-89 record. Under his leadership, Troy has consistently achieved success, winning 20-plus games in each of the last four seasons and finishing with a 23-11 record last season. However, the team faces the challenge of replacing a significant portion of its scoring from the previous year – over 60 percent. Cooper Campbell has stepped up to fill that void, averaging 15.8 points and 4.4 assists through the first five games. Alongside him, preseason All-Sun Belt First Team selection Thomas Dowd has been a consistent performer, averaging 14.2 points and 9.4 rebounds.
The upcoming games against San Diego State and USC will be a true test for Troy, as both programs are highly ranked on KenPom – 30th and 19th, respectively. The Trojans have already navigated the most difficult schedule in the Sun Belt Conference, according to KenPom, and their toughest challenges still lie ahead.
