Troy Trojans (17-12) vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (11-18)
February 22, 2023 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks +3.5 / Troy Trojans -3.5 ; Over/Under: 135.5
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The Troy Trojans and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Troy enters this one at 17-12 so far after a Saturday loss to Marshall. As for LA-Monroe, they’re 11-18 on the year. The Warhawks lost to South Alabama in their last game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Troy Trojans
Troy posted a sketchy 13-9 stretch over their first 22 games this year. The Trojans are on a 4-3 run since then, with wins over Texas State, South Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas State among losses to South Alabama, Southern Miss and Marshall.
In the Marshall matchup on Saturday, the Trojans were down 38-30 going into the second half. Troy didn’t get any closer on a 50-48 deficit from there and lost 88-78. Nelson Phillips was tops on the team with 22 points and seven rebounds.
LA-Monroe Warhawks
Over on the Louisiana-Monroe side, they stood at 10-12 by the 22-game mark this year. The Warhawks are just 1-6 since then with losses to James Madison, South Alabama, Appalachian State, Southern Miss, Louisiana and South Alabama again.
In the South Alabama rematch back on Saturday, the Warhawks were destroyed 44-20 in the first half alone. LA-Monroe continued to struggle on a 37-25 second half and were blown out 81-45. Tyreke Locure was the lone double-digit scorer on 12 points.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m staying with Troy. The Trojans were outmatched in a road game versus a talented Marshall team in their last outing, which snapped a four-game win streak. That said, Troy has posted 67 or more points in four of the last five outings and allowed 65 or fewer in four of five as well. These teams last saw each other back on January 21 at Trojan Arena. That one ended up being a pretty routine 77-53 Troy win, thanks mostly to a dominant 46-26 second half. The Trojans are likely going to need to get off to a better start in order to cover here, but I think they’re up for the challenge.
