MOCS HOOPS
‘ UTC VS. LEE UNIVERSITY
‘ McKENZIE ARENA
‘ TONIGHT AT 7
‘ RADIO: 96.1 FM
UTC
Projected starters: Ht.
G Maurice Commander 6-0
G Jonathan Scott 6-4
G Jerry Johnson 6-1
F Kevin Easley 6-6
F Thomas Smallwood 7-0
Key reserves:
G David Jean-Baptiste 6-1
F Justin Brown 6-11
Lee
Projected starters: Ht.
G Parker Suedekum 6-0
G Cody Jones 6-3
G Michael McGuirk 6-4
F Ryan Montgomery 6-6
F Colton Blevins 6-9
Key reserves:
G Kentrell Evans 5-11
G Daaron Maston 6-3
Mocs report
Coming off a 10-win 2017-18 season, the Mocs will enter this year slightly banged up but still looking to have a better result from this season’s exhibition against a Division II opponent than last when they fell 68-63 to Francis Marion. UTC dressed only eight players in a scrimmage against Middle Tennessee State, and it’s possible that could remain with forwards Rod Johnson, Duane Moss and Keigan Kerby nursing injuries and forward Ramon Vila not available until after the first semester.
Flames report
The Flames lost a number of key senior leaders but return most of their production as 70 percent of the team’s scoring is back this season. Blevins is the leading returning scorer at 10.6 points per game, but Montgomery (from Central) was right behind at 10.1. Suedekum had over four assists a game for the 16-win Division II team.
Key matchup
Tonight doesn’t count, but it should matter. The Mocs were able to get a little taste of competition in the three-point win over MTSU, but tonight will be a little different in that it’ll feel more like a game. The Mocs are banged up in some spots, but the ones who are healthy are very capable. If they can handle the Flames, it will bode well later as they start adding players to the rotation.
– Gene Henley