Blue and Gold in the breeze

The Mocs dunked, the Lady Mocs and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga fans wound up as winners this afternoon.

The Blue and Gold Tipoff, presented by Praters, exceeded expectations and excited fans about the upcoming basketball season prior to the Mocs’ football game against Western Carolina.

“This is just awesome,” Lady Mocs coach Wes Moore said. “I think everybody is having a real good time and this is such a neat event.”

Praters Flooring provided a basketball court and placed it under the roof of the First Tennessee Pavilion for the first event of its kind at UTC.

Neither team participated in a traditional scrimmage with both Moore and men’s coach John Shulman citing the need to keep players healthy. Instead, they warmed up, participated in shooting games with, for and against fans.

Men’s coach John Shulman pitted Chancellor Roger Brown against his wife, Dr. Carolyn Thompson, in a layup contest. Junior center Jeremy Saffore lifted a young boy up so he could dunk. Moore was impressed by a student who matched Michelle Davis free throw for free throw and joked that somebody should get the student’s number.

Junior college transfer DeAntre Jefferson emerged as the last Moc standing in an individual contest between Mocs and Lady Mocs.

“The fans got to see our guys just being kids and have fun with them,” Shulman said. “Next week they’ll be yelling about rebounding. This weekend they’re all just yelling together.”