Chris Early has evolved from a role player during the 2009 Southern Conference tournament to a starter for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the 2011 event.
He knows what it’s like to make a significant contribution. He and former Mocs forward Dante Harvey came off the bench and made huge plays in UTC’s title-game win over the College of Charleston.
“We had like 12 points and eight rebounds in that game,” Early recalled.
Early will start the quarterfinal contest against Furman tonight at 7. In his old role could be the likes of Jahmal Burroughs, Dontay Hampton and Troy Cage. They’re the reserves coach John Shulman will need to rely on.
“We need no heroes,” Shulman said. “We don’t need somebody off the bench to score 29 points. We need them to be dependable, reliable, to box out, defend and play within themselves.