MOCS HOOPS
* UTC at Georgia
* Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Ga.
* Tonight at 7
* Radio/TV: 96.1 FM/SEC Network Alternate
UTC
Starters: Ht.
G Greg Pryor 6-2
G Eric Robertson 6-4
G Tre’ McLean 6-5
F Casey Jones 6-5
C Justin Tuoyo 6-10
Key reserves:
G Johnathan Burroughs-Cook 6-2
F Chuck Ester 6-7
Georgia
G Kenny Gaines 6-3
G Charles Mann 6-5
F Kenny Paul Geno 6-6
F Houston Kessler 6-8
F Yante Maten 6-8
Key reserves:
G J.J. Frazier 5-10
G Juwan Parker 6-4
Georgia report
Gaines and Mann provide experience at the guard position, while the Bulldogs try to work in players into new roles on the interior. Maten played a lot last season, but tonight will be only his third career start. Frazier will be back after missing the Bulldogs’ exhibition game after taking a blow to the face on Nov. 5 and is another 3-point threat, but according to UTC coach Matt McCall, Gaines and Mann make the team go. “If Gaines hits his first 3-pointer, watch out. It’s going to be a long night,” McCall said.
Key matchup
The Mocs were beaten badly inside against Georgia last season. Bulldogs coach Mark Fox likes getting undersized, physical posts who can be interior forces, and the 6-8 Kessler and Maten, who combined are around 475 pounds, fit that bill. This will be a big test for Tuoyo, Ester and Duke Ethridge, as well as the UTC perimeter players who must crash the boards and try to prevent Georgia from owning the glass as it has in the meetings the previous two seasons.
– Gene Henley