University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball vs. East Tennessee State University at McKenzie Arena
Time: 2 p.m.
Video/radio: ESPN3/96.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
UTC (5-10, 0-0 Southern Conference)
Projected starters: G Lakelyn Bouldin (5-8, 11.7); G Brooke Burns (5-10, 6.9); F Bria Dial (6-0, 2.6); G Morgan Hill (5-10, 5.2); F Rochelle Lee (6-3, 4.5).
Key reserves: F Arianne Whitaker (6-2, 5.8); F Eboni Williams (6-0, 6.7).
ETSU (2-14, 0-0)
Projected starters: G Erica Haynes-Overton (5-5, 15.9); G Carley Lytton (5-11, 6.4); F Lexus Spears (6-2, 7.3); F Sadasia Tipps (6-1, 5.0); G Kaia Upton (5-6, 5.6).
Key reserves: G Micah Sheetz (5-8, 8.4); F Britney Snowden (6-0, 7.4).
MOCS REPORT
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s first game of the new year is also the Southern Conference opener for coach Katie Burrows’ team, which has toughened up against a schedule ranked fifth-most difficult in the nation. Burrows is likely to use her ninth different starting lineup of the season, with only junior Bouldin having started every contest. The Mocs hope to come out of a prolonged shooting slump. Their 38.2 percent success from the field ranks seventh among the eight SoCon teams, though playing several elite teams early has factored. UTC has gotten strong play out of freshman Williams, who posted her first double-double as a college player by scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 67-51 loss to Belmont on Dec. 17, then had 11 and 10 in the Mocs’ previous game, a 66-61 neutral-site win over Maine that ended an eight-game losing streak.
BUCCANEERS REPORT
East Tennessee State University has struggled from the start of the season after being selected to finish either first or second in the SoCon in preseason polls. The Bucs, who were 20-13 overall and 11-3 in SoCon play last season, rank last among conference teams in 3-point shooting (27.7 percent), 3-pointers per game (3.9), points allowed (75.9) and defensive field-goal percentage (.388). Haynes-Overton leads the team in most categories. The league’s 2018 freshman of the year and defensive player of the year is second in the country in steals per game at 4.4.
KEY MATCHUP
It’s no surprise, but not letting Haynes-Overton disrupt the Mocs’ offensive flow is the key. UTC has allowed an average of nearly 10 steals per game this season, so it all starts with a backcourt that has been in flux. This is the first of three consecutive home games for the Mocs – a perfect time to build some quick momentum in SoCon play.