Williams effective against ETSU

Jasper Williams has spent so much time in coach John Shulman's doghouse that the pizza delivery man doesn't ask for directions anymore when Williams places an order.

But the sophomore guard is out now after a solid performance in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's 85-67 win over East Tennessee State on Tuesday.

"It's been wonderful," Williams said before practice Thursday. "He hasn't yelled at me in a couple of days. I know he has bad blood for ETSU, so I get out of the doghouse for a little while by playing good against ETSU."

Williams had five points, four assists, three steals and one turnover while playing all three perimeter positions in 22 minutes against the Bucs. He spent most of the time at shooting guard, which he played sparingly last season because the Mocs needed him to back up point guard Keyron Sheard.

Playing the point last season, and for the first time in his life, led to problems for Williams. He had 55 turnovers and 51 assists, which are numbers that would land any point guard in a coach's doghouse.

"I never got out," Williams said. "I'm used to it. Coach Shulman strives for perfection, and he's trying to make me better."

Placing point guard duties in the hands of Keegan Bell, Williams' roommate in UTC Place, helped Williams against the Bucs.

"When he's in the game, it makes it so much easier for me," Williams said. "All I have to do is spot up, shoot the ball and play defense.

"That's the easiest job in the world."

Williams should continue to play in that role for the next few games, especially in a three-guard lineup that UTC has to use with four forwards out. And freshman guard Josh Odem sprained his right -- nonshooting -- hand Tuesday and will miss a couple of practices.

"To see him out of the doghouse and getting positive encouragement is awesome," Bell said. "Confidence is killer with players, no matter what level. When a guy gets confidence it can change his whole season or whole career, and hopefully that will happen to Jasper."

Shulman said he felt comfortable with Williams on the floor for the first time in a long time.

"I thought he played pretty good," Shulman said. "He defended and he looked very excited that he didn't have to handle the ball as much. He made me nervous last year. Shoot, he makes me nervous in practice sometimes."

McKeither threatened by fellow student

UTC junior forward Ridge McKeither was the victim of an alleged assault by a fellow student in Brock Hall on Oct. 28. William Bradley of Brentwood Tenn., was arrested by UTC police for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to a police report, Bradley said he had a knife and would use it against McKeither. The report stated that four witnesses said it appeared Bradley was trying to get something out of his pocket. UTC has placed Bradley on judicial suspension.

"I am not aware that basketball players have been accused of doing anything wrong," UTC spokesman Chuck Cantrell said. "I haven't been made aware of them starting remarks with Mr. Bradley."