Opinion: Why Troy is the Eagles’ toughest opponent this season

Amanda Arnold

The women’s basketball team is set to face the Troy Trojans on Thursday for the first time this season.

At their last meeting, the Trojans defeated GS 95-80 behind a strong game from freshman Jasmine Sanders with 28 points and eight rebounds, along with five other Trojans who reached double digit values. They proceeded to make it to the second round of the Sun Belt tournament before losing by three points Little Rock, the 2018 Sun Belt Champions.

This season, Jasmine Sanders has had a season high 21 points against Alabama State and averaging six points a game.

With GS struggling on the offensive side of the ball and lacking on aggressiveness with defense, the Trojans will be a tough game.

Prior to Sun Belt play this season, Troy won games with large point margins. Essentially, only one of their wins have been a close game, in Sam Houston State. This pattern of winning BIG will be a problem for the Eagles because they also have a pattern of losing BIG. Multiple GS losses have been by 15 points or more.

In order to win, GS will have to play aggressive on defense. Opponents have capitalized on the lack of defense and come out setting a rapid pace of game, that they struggle to keep up with. Most losses are because they are constantly trying to play catch up and end up make careless mistakes. Head Coach Kip Drown has already made several comments about turnovers.

Though this little analysis may seem negative, it needs to be said that the women’s basketball team has improved from last year. This new class of freshman has a lot of potential and Alexis Brown has been leading the team with accuracy. Tatum Barber has stepped up and been contributing some productive minutes.

The Eagles will take on the Trojans Thursday with tip off to be set at 6:30 p.m. at Hanner Field house.

Amanda Arnold, The George-Anne Sports Reporter, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu