UTC Mocs logoLEXINGTON, Ky. – If there is one distinct advantage that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team will have in today’s NCAA tournament game against Syracuse, it is the experience factor – slightly more on the court and a lot more in the coaching box.
The Mocs (29-3) had a 90-minute practice Friday for today’s first-round game at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and will be the UTC’s second consecutive appearance in the tournament — the same as Syracuse, which fell 61-56 to Creighton last season as a 10 seed in Knoxville.
It will be the sixth tournament appearance for the Orange (22-9) and third under eighth-year coach Quentin Hillsman. The program is looking for its first-ever NCAA tournament victory.
The Mocs are 1-11 in the tournament and have had chances to win in their last two appearances. In 2010 they led Oklahoma State by 18 at halftime before falling 70-63. Last season, they were leading Nebraska by nine in the second half before dropping a 73-59 decision.
UTC’s Jim Foster, who has 812 career wins and is the only coach in women’s basketball history to take four programs to the NCAA tournament, is making his 27th tournament appearance. He’s been to one Final Four, four Elite Eights and six Sweet 16s and feels the best thing to do this time of year is exactly what you’ve been doing all season.