University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men vs. Wofford at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Time: 7 p.m.
Video/radio: ESPN+/96.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
UTC (10-11, 5-3 Southern Conference)
Projected starters: F Kevin Easley (6-6, 14.7); G David Jean-Baptiste (6-1, 8.8); G Jerry Johnson Jr. (6-1, 10.0); F Jonathan Scott (6-4, 6.5); F Ramon Vila (6-8, 11.3).
Key reserves: C Thomas Smallwood (7-0, 6.4); G Donovann Toatley (5-9, 11.4).
WOFFORD (16-4, 8-0)
Projected starters: F Keve Aluma (6-9, 6.8); G Nathan Hoover (6-4, 14.1); F Cameron Jackson (6-8, 15.2); G Fletcher Magee (6-4, 18.5); G Storm Murphy (5-11, 8.2).
Key reserves: G Tray Hollowell (6-2, 5.5); C Matt Pegram (6-11, 5.8).
MOCS REPORT
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga trailed from start to finish in Thursday’s 73-58 loss at Furman, getting within four late before the Paladins pulled away. Easley, Toatley and Vila are the Mocs’ scoring average leaders this season, but they were held to a combined 16 points as the team shot only 40 percent for the game and was an uncharacteristic 5-of-21 from 3-point range. Johnson had a strong second half to finish as the only UTC scorer in double figures.
TERRIERS REPORT
Wofford is coming off two distinct SoCon victories over Furman and Samford, though both have a common ending with Murphy hitting a winning shot at the end. The Terriers won a defensive battle over the Paladins, 59-54, before rallying to win in overtime in a fast-paced 107-106 affair against the Bulldogs. Wofford’s only losses this season have come against North Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi State.
KEY MATCHUP
The Terriers have shot a sizzling 39.5 percent from 3-point range this season, led by Hoover (51 3s on 43.6 percent shooting), Murphy (30 on 48.3 percent) and Magee (79 on 37 percent). Coach Lamont Paris has implored the Mocs to not get caught in ball screens and close out on 3-point shooters with more urgency. Never has that been more vital to success than in today’s matchup.