UTC’s Justin Tuoyo slam dunks during the Mocs’ 79-67 loss to Wofford on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
Mark WiedmerThe last time former Middle Tennessee State University star Reggie Upshaw Jr. and former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout Justin Tuoyo met on a basketball court was Dec. 19, 2014, with Upshaw’s Blue Raiders getting the best of the visiting Mocs, 68-58.
While each player’s fan base certainly cares more about that result than their next potential meeting, should Upshaw’s team meet Tuoyo’s squad in Saturday night’s championship game of the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational basketball tournament, both players’ NBA draft stock could make a noticeable jump.
“Ever since I’ve been in college I’ve heard coaches and players talk about Portsmouth,” said Tuoyo of the all-star showcase for departing college seniors that has been held every spring since 1953. “My agent (Adam Pensack) and I talk every day about this opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”
So is Upshaw, whose former college roommate – MTSU star Shawn Jones – played in the Portsmouth event at the close of the 2014 season. His Blue Raiders teammate this past season – Conference USA player of the year JaCorey Williams – is also in Portsmouth, but on a different team.
“Shawn was my roommate my freshman year,” said Upshaw, who prepped at Baylor School before going on to lead MTSU to back-to-back first-round NCAA tournament wins the past two springs. “He told me how difficult it was playing with guys you really didn’t know. I just know I was excited to get the invite. It’s going to be fun playing against the top players in my senior class.”