University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men versus Tennessee Tech at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga
Time: 2 p.m.
Radio/online: 96.1 FM/ESPN+
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages listed in parentheses)
UTC (3-5)
Projected starters: G Maurice Commander (6-0, 5.9); F Kevin Easley (6-6, 15.3); G Jerry Johnson (6-1, 10.5); G Jonathan Scott (6-4, 4.8); F Thomas Smallwood (7-0, 9.0)
Key reserves: C Justin Brown (6-11, 5.5); G Donovann Toatley (5-9, 10.9).
TENNESSEE TECH (1-6)
Projected starters: F Courtney Alexander (6-8, 8.9); C Micaiah Henry (6-9, 14.1); G Corey Tillery (6-1, 8.3); G Johnnie Vassar (6-1, 5.4); G Hunter Vick (6-4, 10.4).
Key reserves: G Jr. Clay (6-0, 10.4); F Garrett Golday (6-7, 3.7).
Mocs report
UTC got back in the winning column Tuesday, shooting 52 percent from the field and knocking down nine 3s for the second straight game in a 95-62 win over National Christian Collegiate Athletic Aassociation member Hiwassee. It was the type of performance coach Lamont Paris loves, as five players reached double figures, led by Jerry Johnson with 20 points. UTC held Hiwassee to 34 percent shooting in the second half.
Golden Eagles report
Tennessee Tech is built like UTC in that the Golden Eagles have a lot of youth. They’re also dealing with some injuries – South Florida graduate transfer Malik Martin and Van Buren County High School graduate Caden Mills have missed time early. Henry, one of the holdovers from last season, leads the team in scoring while Alexander paces the Golden Eagles in rebounds. Clay, a McCallie School graduate, ranks third on the team in scoring and is second in assists in his first season.
Key matchup
UTC has struggled this season, with more wins against non-Division I programs (Hiwassee, Cumberland) than D-I schools. Tech has been tested in a way the Mocs haven’t with games against North Carolina and Michigan State among its losses. A UTC win today would serve well going into a key four-game stretch over the next couple of weeks.