Last night, Troy’s basketball season came to an end with back-to-back postseason losses for the second season in a row.

While the disappointment surrounding the season’s end is high, don’t forget what this team has done in the last two years.

Over the last two years, we have seen Brandon Hazzard and Michael Vogler go from role players to two of Troy’s best ever.

Hazzard, Vogler, Antywan Jones and Richard Delk all started a year ago for a team that was picked to finish at the bottom of the Sun Belt, yet wound up winning 10 games in a row.

When Yamene Coleman joined those four seniors this season, the expectations shot even higher.

The Trojans responded with a regular season Sun Belt title.

Yes, the loss in the Sun Belt Championship was frustrating, but let’s take a big picture look.

Is the program in better shape than it was two years ago? Undoubtedly.

With a new arena set to open in time for the 2010-11 season, it is just a matter of time before Trojan basketball dominates the Sun Belt just like Troy football.

Nick Duke is a sports writer for The Messenger, and he can be reached at nick.duke@Troymessenger.com or on Twitter at Messenger_Nick.