TROY, Alabama – The Troy Trojans men’s basketball team faces a crucial matchup against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on , with significant implications for the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title. The game, scheduled for at Trojan Arena, will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on the Troy Sports Media Network.
Troy (18-11, 10-6 Sun Belt) enters the contest with a chance to secure at least a share of the regular-season championship, provided they win both of their remaining home games. Following the Louisiana game, the Trojans will host ULM on Friday evening. The Trojans currently find themselves in a tight race for the top spot, alongside App State (11-6 SBC), South Alabama (10-6 SBC), and Marshall (10-6 SBC).
The Trojans are coming off a challenging road loss to South Alabama on , where they struggled offensively, shooting a season-low 24.5 percent from the field. Despite the defeat, Cooper Campbell delivered a standout performance, scoring 26 points and hitting a career-best seven three-pointers. Campbell’s performance offered a bright spot in an otherwise difficult outing for Troy.
Louisiana (10-19, 7-9 Sun Belt) arrives in Troy having broken a seven-game winning streak for Texas State with a 67-54 victory on . Dorian Finister led the Ragin’ Cajuns in that game, contributing 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds. The win marked a positive turn for Louisiana, which had started its conference schedule with a 2-5 record before going 5-4 over its last nine Sun Belt games.
The historical series favors Louisiana, with the Ragin’ Cajuns holding an overall record of 11-23 against the Trojans. However, Troy secured a decisive victory in the first conference matchup this season, defeating Louisiana 90-70 in Lafayette on . In that earlier contest, six Troy players scored in double figures, and the Trojans dominated the boards, outrebounding Louisiana 42-19 while leading for the vast majority of the game.
Beyond the immediate conference standings, several individual performances are drawing attention. Thomas Dowd continues to be a dominant force on the boards for Troy, playing all 40 minutes against South Alabama and currently ranking 43rd nationally in percentage of minutes played, appearing in 88.2% of Troy’s game action. His rebounding prowess is a key component of the Trojans’ strategy.
Victor Valdes is also on the verge of making history for Troy, needing just nine more free throws to surpass the program’s all-time record of 156, currently held by Terry McCord since the 1992-93 season. Valdes is currently averaging 15.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds.
Looking ahead, Troy’s success in the Sun Belt Conference extends beyond the regular season. The Trojans will aim to defend their tournament title at the upcoming Sun Belt Championship, scheduled for in Pensacola. A successful run in the tournament would mark Troy as the first team to win back-to-back championships since Georgia State achieved the feat in 2018 and 2019.
The Trojans will also celebrate Senior Night on Friday against ULM, honoring Jerrell Bellamy, Corbin Green, Kam Mitchell, and Theo Seng for their contributions to the program. The game will provide a fitting opportunity to recognize the departing players as they conclude their collegiate careers.
Under the leadership of head coach Scott Cross, who is in his seventh season at Troy, the Trojans have established a consistent record of success, amassing a 121-98 record. Over the past four seasons, Troy has consistently achieved 20 or more wins and secured 10 or more Sun Belt victories each year, demonstrating a sustained level of competitiveness within the conference.
The matchup against Louisiana presents a significant challenge for Troy, requiring a strong offensive performance and continued dominance on the boards. The Ragin’ Cajuns, buoyed by their recent win over Texas State, will be looking to upset the Trojans and further solidify their position in the Sun Belt standings. The outcome of Tuesday’s game will undoubtedly have a ripple effect throughout the conference as teams jockey for position heading into the tournament.
