After eight trips to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and three to the Women’s NIT in the past 11 seasons, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga won’t be playing after the Southern Conference tournament.
The Lady Mocs lost to Samford in overtime Sunday in the semifinals of the SoCon tournament at McKenzie Arena, finishing the season at 17-14. Coach Wes Moore said UTC would not pursue a spot in the third-tier Women’s Basketball Invitational.
“This program’s had too much success, too much of a run,” he said. “Our expectations are high, and if the WNIT called, then yes, but I realize we probably don’t have the resume.”
Athletic director Rick Hart said playing in anything below the WNIT doesn’t “align with our goals” for the program.
“I think once you get beyond the WNIT, I don’t know that the benefits outweigh having kids out of class and the travel,” Hart said.