Different paths to the same end goal
Troy men’s basketball has many new faces for the 2026-27 season. Twelve of the 15 players, to be exact – but the expectations at Troy never change. Fourth-year guard Jacoi Hutchinson speaks with quiet confidence about the team’s abilities when asked about expectations.
“Definitely to win,” Hutchinson said. “That’s our goal every day, taking it one step at a time.
“There’s no pressure, but we know we can get it done.”
Hutchinson is the lone Trojan to earn preseason recognition from the Sun Belt, as he was selected to the All-Sun Belt Third Team. Hutchinson has averaged over 20 minutes per game in all three seasons, with at least 10 starts each season.
Last season at Longwood, he averaged 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, with standout games against Charleston Southern (36 points) and Gardner-Webb (14 points, 10 assists). The 6-foot-3 guard also led the Big South Conference in free-throw shooting percentage at 86.2%.
The point guard looks to lead his team on and off the court, as he spoke about the chemistry the team built quickly.
“All it took was two weeks for us all to feel like we knew each other really well,” Hutchinson said. “We gelled really quickly, and we all have the same goal.”
Sun Belt transfer Robert Davis Jr. echoed those words, saying the team bonded quickly, and that bond gives him faith in his team.
“I would love for this team to not only go to the (NCAA) tournament but also win a couple of games in the tournament as well,” Davis said. “I think we’re talented enough, but I also think we’re coached well enough to do so as well.”
Davis is one of the nation’s top threats from the outside. In the 2024-25 season, he led the country in 3-point attempts while setting the program record at Old Dominion for made threes. This led to his selection as Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, but he did not see the same success.
The 6-foot-6 guard looks to bounce back as he takes a leadership role on the new-look Trojans team. However, his view of leadership has changed over the last few years because of his faith.
“Naturally, as I’ve grown up, I’ve been put in a place of leadership because of my voice,” Davis said. “After committing to giving my life to Christ, he has shown me true leadership.
“At first, you think the leader is the loudest voice in the room, but the leader is the best servant.”
Mobi Ikegwuruka is not the loud, natural voice Davis is, but he leads through his extensive experience. The fifth-year senior is transferring from Kansas State, where he appeared in 34 games over two seasons in the Big 12 facing off against National powerhouses like Arizona, Houston and Kansas.
“I played some really tough teams last year and the year before that,” Ikegwuruka said. “Coming here, I expect some improvements from me, with a lot of big jumps.”
The 6-foot-6 athletic forward got his start in college basketball at the junior college level, where he excelled, earning All-America honors and leading his team to its first Final Four since 1977. However, Ikegwuruka is originally from Galway, Ireland, and is one of six Trojans from outside the United States.
“We have a lot of different cultures, and I think coach Howard did that on purpose to find a different connection,” Ikegwuruka said.
Despite all the different personalities, playstyles, backgrounds and cultures, the Trojans have one goal: winning.
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