“Grandpa” is free.
Martynas Bareika, the senior forward for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball team, will get to make his final debut for the team today, when the 4-5 Mocs travel to Charleston, S.C., to face The Citadel. Tip-off is at 6 at McAlister Fieldhouse.
Bareika, who at 24 is the oldest player on the team, had to sit out the first semester due to a NCAA eligibility issue.
“They freed Marty,” Bareika said with a laugh Monday after the Mocs’ 104-50 win over Montreat College. “The first semester was tough; I’m not gonna lie, but at the same time, it did help out because I had a tough semester academically as well, so I guess it worked out.
“It sucked I didn’t play. I wanted to be with the team for those first nine games, but I couldn’t travel … it just sucked. Now it’s over, and I’m looking forward to my first game. I’m guessing it’ll be a little tough to fall into the flow, but I’m positive about that.”