University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men versus Western Carolina at Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina
Time: 7 p.m.
Video/radio: ESPN3/96.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
UTC (6-9, 1-1 Southern Conference)
Projected starters: F Kevin Easley (6-6, 14.2); G David Jean-Baptiste (6-1, 9.2); G Jerry Johnson Jr. (6-1, 10.7); F Jonathan Scott (6-4, 6.8); F Ramon Vila (6-8, 10.4).
Key reserves: G Donovann Toatley (5-9, 11.4); C Thomas Smallwood (7-0, 6.6).
WESTERN CAROLINA (3-12, 0-2)
Projected starters: F Carlos Dotson (6-7, 13.1); G Kameron Gibson (6-3, 11.9); F Marc Gosselin (6-7, 6.3); G Matt Halvorsen (6-1, 12.2); F Onno Steger (6-5, 8.7).
Key reserves: F Josh Cottrell (6-2, 3.9); G Jason McMillan (5-11, 0.7).
MOCS REPORT
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is coming off a 52.9 percent shooting performance against UNC Greensboro, marking the Mocs’ best shooting day of the season and their third consecutive game shooting better than 50 percent. UTC, led by Easley and Jean-Baptiste, has shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range the past eight games. Lifted by the play of new starter Vila, the Mocs’ inside game has improved, too – they’ve shot 57.3 percent from inside the 3-point line their past three games as opposed to 47.2 percent before that this season. A telling stat continues to point to UTC’s defense as a huge barometer to its overall success: The Mocs are 6-1 this season when holding teams to fewer than 75 points, but they’re 0-8 – including Saturday’s 85-72 loss at UNCG – when allowing more than 75. Western Carolina is 0-9 this season when scoring fewer than 70.
CATAMOUNTS REPORT
First-year coach Mark Prosser’s team has struggled with consistency. Turnovers, in general, have been a detriment to the Catamounts, who had 18 the last time out in a 20-point loss to Wofford, 26 more in a loss to Iowa and a whopping 33 against N.C. State. However, they’ve shown potential in close losses to College of Charleston and Wake Forest and a two-overtime defeat against Furman, which was ranked earlier this season. Western Carolina’s bench is woefully thin, though – key reserves D.J. Myers and Marcus Thomas did play against Wofford, leaving just three players available.
KEY MATCHUP
Because turnovers have been a problem for both teams, the backcourt battle will be key. The Mocs will have a decided depth advantage, so a fast-paced game should benefit them. They also will focus on keeping Dotson, who leads the team with nearly nine rebounds a game, from dominating the glass.