University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men vs. Ole Miss at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi
Time: 6 EST
TV & Radio: SEC Network & 96.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses):
UTC (5-6)
Projected starters: F Kevin Easley (6-6, 15.8); G David Jean-Baptiste (6-1, 9.1); G Jerry Johnson (6-1, 11.7); F Jonathan Scott (6-4, 6.4); C Thomas Smallwood (7-0, 7.5).
Key reserves: C Justin Brown (6-10, 4.2); F Ramon Vila (6-8, 6.0).
OLE MISS (7-2)
Projected starters: G Terence Davis (6-4, 5.3); G/F Blake Hinson (6-7, 8.7); C Dominik Olejniczak (7-0, 5.8); G Devontae Shuler (6-2, 10.8); G Breein Tyree (6-2, 16.7).
Key reserves: F K.J. Buffen (6-7, 6.3); F Bruce Stevens (6-8, 8.9).
MOCS REPORT
The Mocs are coming off a competitive loss at Georgia State in which they tied a school record for 3-pointers made with 17. However, those came on 44 attempts (another school record). Scott scored a season-best 17 points in the loss and was 5-of-5 from 3-point range. He, Jean-Baptiste (16.8 points over the past four games), Johnson (16.3 in the past four) and Easley (10 double-digit games in his past 11) are doing most of the damage on the offensive end of the court. They’re also playing a lot of minutes because the team is still without the suspended Donovann Toatley and the injured Maurice Commander. The recent additions of A.J. Caldwell and Vila have helped ease the load somewhat. Vila, the Arizona State transfer who became eligible prior to the Georgia State game, adds some muscle inside.
REBELS REPORT
The Rebels, under first-year coach Kermit Davis, have won four consecutive games for the first time since the start of the 2016-17 season. They rank in the top 30 nationally and first in the Southeastern Conference in field-goal percentage (.495), while ranking fourth nationally in free-throw shooting (80.1 percent). Tyree has scored at least 20 points in four of the past six games, while Shuler leads the SEC in playing time (33.3 minutes/game) and is in the top 10 in steals (1.8) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7).
KEY MATCHUP
The Rebels are fueled by their backcourt, with Davis, Shuler and Tyree each having averaged double digits in points this season. The Mocs’ depleted guard corps will have to stay out of foul trouble. Offensively, Easley could have a favorable matchup. Ole Miss isn’t a dominating rebounding team, but it does a good job of not allowing second-chance shots. Boards will be big in this one.