THE GOOD NEWS
The Trojans welcome Mississippi State transfer Richard Delk, a 6-4 guard who sat out the 2007-08 season.

THE BAD NEWS
The Trojans lose their top three scorers (Gs O'Darien Bassett and Jerome Odem and wing Justin Jonus) and a fourth starter (F Jarvis Acker).

KEY RETURNEES
Gs Michael Vogler and Brandon Hazzard, Fs Kenny Ware and Trayce Macon, C Tom Jervis.

ROSTER REPORT

--With his college basketball career over, O'Darien Bassett will turn his attention toward competing for a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Bassett, a second-team all-conference selection, competed in track last spring for the Trojans and qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the long and triple jumps but was unable to compete because of a groin injury.

--Troy coach Don Maestri has high hopes for Richard Delk, who started 40 of 56 games in two seasons at Mississippi State and averaged 5.7 points per game in 33 starts in 2006-07. He has two years of eligibility remaining. "He may be one of the best players we've ever had," Maestri said. "He continues to amaze us in practice."

--Maestri also has big expectations for sophomore Mike Vogler, who emerged as Troy's best pure point guard late in the season; Tom Jervis, a 7-footer who has been slowed by a calf injury; and Kenny Ware, a junior forward who replaced Trayce Macon in the starting lineup late in the season and brought more energy and hustle to the floor.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.