Sports Editor

Fresh off of a season in which the Troy State Trojans’ men’s basketball team shared the Trans America Athletic Conference title with Georgia State, TSU head coach Don Maestri said his team will have to adjust to life without departed senior Detric Golden.

Golden was the Trojans’ playmaker last season at point guard, leading the team in points per game (17.6) and assists (6.0). For his performance Golden was voted TAAC Newcomer and Player of the Year.

"You can’t replace someone like Detric Golden," said Maestri in a Tuesday teleconference. "We’ll have to use the combined effort as a team to make up for the loss of Detric."

The loss of Golden leaves the Trojans without an experienced point guard. Freshman Herbet Davis, rated one of the fourth-best players in Memphis, is expected to claim the job and contribute early.

"HIs credentials are good," Maestri said. "But this will be a new experience for him. How fast he gets comfortable will determine his role this year."

Also gone is the Trojans’ third-leading scorer Tote Christopher (11.9 ppg) and reserves Joey Raines and Nek Daniels.

"Tote Christopher just brought a lot of energy to a game and to practice, he was just a hard worker in practice," said Maestri. "I expect Derick Davis to come in and fill that role this season."

Davis, a senior transfer from Arizona State, will back up Matt Holman, Troy State’s top 3-point shooter from last season, at small forward.

"Derick is one of those players that will have to make an impact on our team in order for us to be a success," Maestri said.

Maestri expects for his team this season to be fast-break orientated.

"We want to score a lot of points in transition," he said. "That’s the type of athletes we have on this team. We don’t have a dominant post-player like a lot of teams in our league do so that sort of dictates what kind of offense you run."

The Trojans open the season in Tuscaloosa against Alabama on Nov. 20 and will open TAAC play against Jacksonville on Dec. 5. On Dec. 21, Troy State will travel to Hawaii to compete in the Pearl Harbor Classic.

"That will be a great experience for our players," said Maestri. "Not only because of the tournament, but because our players will get to see first hand one of the nation’s most historical places."