UTC Mocs logoBIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The effort and attitude for 40 minutes from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball Mocs helped as much as playing 2-3 zone defense in their 67-52 loss to an Alabama-Birmingham team knocking on the Top 25.
UTC players noticed the difference while on the court, and coach Will Wade noticed it while stalking the Bartow Arena sideline, talking with his bench and getting chummy with officials.
“We weren’t worrying about the scoreboard as much as worrying about what we’re supposed to be doing — getting the next and the next possession,” Wade said later. “We have to continue to build. We had two long days going into this. It doesn’t stop here.
“This isn’t the crescendo to the season.”
But it may be the start of a new style as Wade and his staff examine the effectiveness of pressing in the full court and then falling back into a zone between now and the Mocs’ next game on Dec. 29.