After listening in on both the men’s and women’s Sun Belt Conference teleconference, I made it out to Trojan Arena to watch both teams practice. The women’s team is playing the very fast paced style of basketball that first-year head coach Chanda Rigby is know for and has had success with. The men’s team has a lot of new faces. It will take me some time to put names with numbers.

Here is my Troy basketball story in Thursday’s paper. It was cut short due to space.

TROY WOMEN

The women’s team should be better than last season despite being picked to finish 6th in the East Division. One exciting thing is the schedule Rigby has put together. The Trojans will travel to face Florida and Mississippi State during the regular season this year and will also play Auburn in an exhibition on the road. Troy has secured contracts for these teams to play in Trojan Arena in 2013-14. The Trojans will host Alabama this season on Dec. 15.

TROY MEN

The men’s team still has a lot of questions. It’s hard to put any expectations or predictions on a team that has so many unknowns. Senior Emil Jones has emerged as the team’s leader along with Justin Wright. Wright, however, is out for at least another month after his knee surgery, though he is practicing with team in a limited capacity. The brothers from Linden, N.J., Jarrett and Tevin Calhoun will have an impact this season. I’ll get to know the rest of the new guys in coming weeks.

Here is a short video of Troy practicing on Wednesday:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka5XRPW7Iic?rel=0&w=450&h=315]