The battle for Troy

Raiders alumnus adjusts to college life, fights for playing time

Last season, Troy Snyder didn't get all of the attention from the media or even the opponents of Bolingbrook's boys basketball team. However this season things are a little different as the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay freshman forward will be under a microscope while fighting for playing time.

Snyder joins an up-and-coming Horizon League team that went 22-11 last season and 13-5 in the conference. Along with five other freshmen and a host of returners, they're ranked fifth in the conference out of the gates.

"Troy is a very talented player and he has a bright future here at Green Bay," head coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "There needs to be some molding and there's going to be some growing pains, but that's what happens with every freshman. I think Troy understands this and he is getting better every practice."

The freshman made his college debut on Oct. 31 in an exhibition game against University of Minnesota-Duluth. Snyder scored nine points, which was tied for second most on the team, and had six rebounds in the Phoenix's 77-52 victory. Although he didn't start he recorded 18 minutes in the game.

"I felt I played pretty well, and I was surprised that I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be for my first college game," Snyder said. "When I first got out there I committed a turnover but after that I settled down and had a pretty good game."

Although he's still learning, Snyder at least got a little taste of what college play is like as he played for two years under current Bolingbrook boys basketball coach Rob Brost. Brost, who teaches a college-like system, has continually helped Snyder as he goes through the college basketball experience.

"Troy and I talk like once or twice a week before basketball started; now sometimes we end up talking like three times per week," Brost said.

"One particular practice he said he didn't do quite as well and wasn't doing a good job communicating or going through screens. I just reminded Troy of all the stuff that we did during practice while he was at Bolingbrook, because a lot of the stuff that we did in practice, UW-Green Bay does."

Adjusting to college life is never easy, especially freshmen who play basketball. It almost seems like a job.

Yet Snyder has handled the transition well so far and is beginning to feel more comfortable in his surroundings.

"I had my first mid-terms and I feel like I have pretty much a handle on it right now. It is all about knowing what to do," Snyder said. "I have five other guys that are just like me going through the same thing right now. One guy is from Illinois that I knew so it really helps. The seniors have been good and have really helped all of us along."

Snyder and the Phoenix open the season in Kent, Ohio, in the Hispanic Classic. They will take on Conference USA's University of Alabama-Birmingham on Nov. 13. UW-Green Bay will be tested both on Dec. 31 and at home on Jan. 29 as they take on Butler, who's ranked 11th in the Associated Press poll and 10th in the USA/ESPN poll. Last season, the Phoenix did not lose a conference game at home and defeated Butler 75-66.

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