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Scott Cross, Troy HC, discusses mindset when facing Kentucky’s size
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Kentucky basketball boasts the 22nd tallest average height for a roster across Division I college basketball. Troy, the Wildcats’ first-round opponent, sits at 92nd.
For several reasons, Troy is looking to punch well above its weight class on Friday. But when asked how the Trojans plan on addressing the size difference between the Wildcats and his team, Troy head coach Scott Cross insisted that toughness and sticking to their gameplan is how they plan to attack the Wildcats’ size.
But it goes deeper than that. Cross explained that Troy has a defensive boot camp that he labeled as “one of the toughest things they do.” For that reason, he feels their mental toughness is second to none.
“Toughness, I think, is a part of it,” Cross said. “We’re exceptionally good at offensive rebounding. I believe we’re fifth or sixth in the country. You have to be tough. How are we able to do that? With Jackson Fields, who’s 6’8″ maybe, Thomas Dowd, 6’7″, somewhere in there. The only way to do that is by being tough. You’re not going to be a great offensive rebounding team unless you’re being physical, gritty, and tough.”
Cross continued: “Our guys, we’ve preached it, we’ve done it. We do a defensive boot camp, weeklong, where we’re getting up at 5:00 in the morning, doing 2-on-2 drills without a basketball for an hour and a half straight. It’s one of the toughest things they do. Once they accomplish that, they know anything they face in the season will be a lot easier than our defensive boot camp.”
Cross went on to say he believes the Trojans’ minds are trained for a matchup exactly like this. And while Troy has struggled offensively this season, their strong offensive rebounding numbers give them a chance with extra possessions at their disposal. Will that translate to a game against a team from the best conference in the country?
Kentucky and Troy face off on Friday at 7:10 p.m. Friday from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
