UTC's Justin Tuoyo shoots over The Citadel forward Brian White during the Mocs' home win Wednesday night. Today they play at Mercer, where Tuoyo twice planned to play before becoming a Moc.Mocs on TV
The UTC-Mercer game is being televised on the American Sports Network, which locally today means 6 - 306 HD on EPB, 6 - 435 HD on Comcast, 53 -; 394/395 HD on DirecTV, 53 - 7334 HD on Dish, 6 on ATT and 6 - 708 HD on Charter.
Mercer center Justin Tuoyo? It almost happened - twice.
As a senior at Lovejoy High School in Georgia, Tuoyo once committed to play for Mercer, the Mocs' opponent this afternoon in Macon. Will Wade, then an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth, was Tuoyo's primary recruiter, and he ultimately chose to play for the Rams after an unofficial visit.
He spent the 2012-13 season at VCU, but when Wade left to become the Mocs' head coach in 2013, he brought Tuoyo with him to Chattanooga. Tuoyo said he initially intended to transfer to Mercer before Wade got the UTC job in May of 2013.
The 6-foot-10 Tuoyo needed only 45 games to become UTC's all-time leader in blocked shots. He has moved into 12th in the school's Division I history in rebounds and became the 12th Moc to reach the 500-rebound plateau, and he is 71 points from 1,000 in his UTC career.
His rebounding has improved over the years. He averaged 6.4 during his sophomore season, but that number dipped to 5.0 last season. This year, he is averaging career highs in scoring (13.9), rebounds (7.6) and blocks (3.6).
"I'm proud of him," UTC coach Matt McCall said after Tuoyo's 13-point, 13-rebound, four-block performance against The Citadel. "His presence is definitely felt on the backboard. He was terrific down the stretch; it's all about his professional approach, and I've been really proud of him for that. When the game's on the line, he wants to go up and get it."
And if it weren't for a late push by Wade and the Rams, it all would have taken place in Macon, Ga.
"I love that kid," Mercer coach Bob Hoffman said Friday. "He's great to talk to. He has an infectious smile, his attitude about life and work ethic is great and he has great athleticism. When he's on the floor, he's even better than he looks. It seems to me that he has the best interest of the team.
"He loved our program, but VCU gave him an opportunity and he decided that's where he needed to go. The rest is history. He's been a great player for Tennessee-Chattanooga, and he affects the game."
Tuoyo, who has gained 25 pounds of muscle since his arrival, has averaged 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two games at Mercer. He fouled out of UTC's 75-72 overtime loss there on Jan. 29, 2015, but had 14 points and seven rebounds in last season's 72-66 win.
"It's my last game playing in Georgia, so I'm looking forward to it," Tuoyo said after Wednesday's win over The Citadel. "I'll have a lot of family there and I know it'll be a great environment. I feel every time I play (at Mercer), it's a little bit personal: Me and Coach Hoffman are real close and I know all the players, so I look forward to it.
"They're a good, physical team and it's hard to play there. Their crowd is just like our crowd; they always come out and support, so it'll be fun and I look forward to it."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.