University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball vs. Samford at McKenzie Arena
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Video/radio: ESPN3/96.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
UTC (7-10, 2-2 Southern Conference)
Projected starters: F Kevin Easley (6-6, 14.6); G David Jean-Baptiste (6-1, 9.2); G Jerry Johnson Jr. (6-1, 10.0); F Jonathan Scott (6-4, 6.4); F Ramon Vila (6-8, 10.6).
Key reserves: G Donovann Toatley (5-9, 11.8); C Thomas Smallwood (7-0, 6.7).
SAMFORD (11-6, 1-3)
Projected starters: F Robert Allen (6-8, 9.2); G Brandon Austin (6-5, 11.8); G Myron Gordon (6-3, 11.6); C Ruben Guerrero (7-0, 14.8) G Josh Sharkey (5-10, 14.2).
Key reserves: G Kevion Nolan (6-2, 8.3); G Deandre Thomas (6-4, 2.5).
MOCS REPORT
The start of a three-game home stretch comes after splitting a pair on the road. An ugly loss at East Tennessee State University was equal parts hot shooting by the Buccaneers and poor defense by the Mocs, who continued their streak of losing games (now 0-9) when allowing more than 70 points. Offensively, the team is on its best run of the season with 70 or more points in 10 consecutive games, and six Mocs have shot 50 percent or better in Southern Conference play – Vila leads the league at 69.9 percent. Toatley, with averages of three assists and 14.6 points on 57.7-percent shooting in his past five games, has provided a huge lift off the bench. Jean-Baptiste has a 2.8-to-1 ratio of assists to turnovers since stepping into the starting lineup eight games ago.
BULLDOGS REPORT
Samford lost just 83-70 at No. 3 Tennessee last month but has dropped two straight in SoCon play, falling at surging ETSU in overtime on Jan. 3 before being upset by Western Carolina last Saturday. The Bulldogs are very balanced on offense, though there is no question who their defensive leader is. South Florida transfer Guerrero leads the team with an average of 8.2 rebounds per game and has also averaged two blocks. Sharkey, though, is the guy who makes them go with nearly seven assists and three steals per game. Freshman Allen is one of the SoCon’s top newcomers and is second on the team in rebounding with 7.1 per game.
KEY MATCHUP
There are a few good matchups in this one, including a battle of Spaniards inside with Vila and Guerrero. The Mocs do not match up well with teams that possess good length, so handling Allen and Guerrero will be key. Both teams have nice options off the bench. Can Toatley outdo Samford sharpshooter Nolan, who has shot 53 percent from 3-point range this season?