The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Casey Jones (24) rebounds over Coastal Carolina’s Shivaughn Wiggins (10), Michel Enanga (12) and Warren Gillis (0) during the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament at McKenzie Arena on in the Nov. 27, 2014, photo.Although there weren’t any hard hats being worn into McKenzie Arena this week, there’s no disputing that Casey Jones brought his lunchpail in and went to work.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior basketball player averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in home wins over Robert Morris and Coastal Carolina. Coach Will Wade recently changed to a smaller lineup, with Jones playing the 4 (power forward) position. The move gives him chances for agility mismatches and for more of a physical presence.
“He was great,” Wade said after Thursday’s win. “That’s what we need from him every night. He was great; he got rebounds, got in there and was driving the ball. He was kicking it out, keeping balls alive and was just tremendous. That’s what we need from him.
“We’re playing small ball more so we played him at the 4, which allows him to use his quickness advantage a little bit more. He was really good for us, and we needed every bit of it.”
Some players shy away from what could have been labeled a “physical” interior contest against the Chanticleers. Jones, along with sophomore Justin Tuoyo, who had six blocks and five rebounds to go along with 11 points, embraced it.
“I think it’s the best feeling, because a game like this was very physical,” Jones said postgame. “Coming away with a victory is just so rewarding. There are so many ups and downs to a physical game, and to get a win in a game like that is very rewarding.”
Jones at the 4 allows Wade to get senior Ronrico White opportunities to play more at the off-guard position. White had a game-high 21 points against Coastal Carolina, with Jones right behind him with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while adding a pair of blocks.
Jones it was a helpful adjustment for his game.
“I just have to release some of the passive in my game,” he said. “I was out there tiptoeing and stuff like that; I have to become more blue-collar and get more aggressive.”
The Mocs (3-3) play at noon today at Kennesaw State (2-4), which has won its last two games, including against UTC Southern Conference foe Samford. This will be the Mocs’ fourth opportunity to get their first win on the road, after losses at second-ranked Wisconsin, Butler and Tennessee Tech.
“We have to take the same intensity and same level of play we had today and take it on the road,” Wade said after Thursday’s win. “We have to do it in somebody else’s gym now. It is something to build off of, but now we have to do it on the road.
“You’re not going to be a very good team if you only win your home games.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.