The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team faced a nonconference gauntlet during the first half of the season, with four games against teams ranked in the top 25 of the NCAA’s Ratings Percentage Index.
But the gauntlet UTC is about to face will have even more postseason implications.
The Mocs (9-5) are at Wofford (5-9) tonight to open Southern Conference play. The Terriers are just 2-42 against UTC all-time, with the wins coming in the 1998 and 1999 conference tournaments; UTC is 19-0 against the Terriers in Spartanburg, S.C.
As treacherous as their nonconference slate was, the Mocs believe it has helped them.
“I’ve been taught that we can guard people and that when we move the ball, we’re a good team,” UTC coach Jim Foster said. “Some of the players are starting to evolve a little bit. Earlier in the season, Chelsey Shumpert was probably the only player we had that could create her own shot, but I think you’re starting to see Queen (Alford) develop in the area. I think you’re starting to see Moses (Johnson) improve in that area.