The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team entered the season sporting a starting lineup with five seniors.
They still could, but it won't be the five they initially envisioned.
Head coach Matt McCall announced Wednesday that forward Chuck Ester is out indefinitely after suffering an injury in Saturday's closed scrimmage against Auburn at Chattanooga State. The 6-foot-7 Ester started 28 games in 2015-16, averaging 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while handing out 57 assists for the 29-6 Mocs.
"Chuck is out indefinitely," McCall said. "He's a terrific player we'll miss on the court. We need to be a resilient group as we move ahead without him on the floor.
"He'll still be a big part of who we are, and who we become."
McCall praised Ester recently, stating in an article with GoMocs.com that Ester "puts the ball on the floor maybe better than any power forward that I've ever coached.
"I've been around some good ones," McCall said. "His ability to change directions with the ball in his hands is like a guard. He made some crucial 3s in Asheville last March. Overall, he's just a really good player."
Ester showed an ability to guard multiple positions on the court. In his absence, McCall will be pressed into a decision as to what to do at that position. Tre' McLean and Casey Jones have spent time playing at the 4 position, but they're looked at as more of a change-of-pace option at the position. If McCall chooses to slide one down, it would open up a spot for senior Johnathan Burroughs-Cook or sophomore Peyton Woods to start at shooting guard.
Another option could be to insert junior-college transfer Trayvond Massenburg into Ester's position. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound junior is more of a banger inside, but would provide similar size to Ester.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.