* Mercer at UTC
* McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga
* Today at 7 p.m.
* Radio/TV: 96.1 FM/ESPN3
Mercer (11-3, 1-0 SoCon)
Starters: Ht. Pts.
G Phillip Leonard 6-2 9.6
G Jestin Lewis 6-1 11.6
G Demetre Rivers 6-8 9.3
F Stephon Jelks 6-6 12.1
F Desmond Ringer 6-9 7.6
Key reserves:
G Jordan Strawberry 6-1 5.4
G Jibri Bryan 6-4 4.7
UTC (12-2, 1-0)
Starters: Ht. Pts.
G Greg Pryor 6-2 10.2
G Eric Robertson 6-4 9.3
G Tre' McLean 6-5 9.9
F Chuck Ester 6-7 7.1
C Justin Tuoyo 6-10 9.8
Key reserves:
G Johnathan Burroughs-Cook 6-2 8.0
F Duke Ethridge 6-6 8.8
Scouting report
The Bears have not missed a beat after losing eight seniors from a team that went to the round of 32 in the 2014 NCAA tournament, as well as losing Ike Nwamu to UNLV after last season, when they played two games in the postseason CBI. They're led by a highly efficient offense and a stingy defense that ranks first in the Southern Conference in a number of categories.
Key matchup
Two of the SoCon's best offenses and best defenses will be on the court tonight. The game will come down to execution and whoever does a better job of it. Coaches Matt McCall (UTC) and Bob Hoffman are known as good offensive minds, but the winner might be determined by whoever can get the key defensive stop.
- Gene Henley