UTC (19-12) vs. UNCG (23-8)
8:30 p.m. Saturday at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina
Video & radio: ESPN+/Nexstar & 97.7 FM/1070 AM
Storyline: Saturday’s last quarterfinal is also the most highly anticipated matchup in the first two rounds of the Southern Conference tournament, and if the rematch is anything like last Saturday’s 74-72 win for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, it will live up to its billing. The No. 6 seed Mocs took that one – their only victory against a team in the top four of the league standings this season and payback for the Spartans’ 72-52 win on Jan. 18 in Greensboro – by being as physical and more energetic than UNCG, which is the tourney’s No. 3 seed. UTC junior forward Ramon Vila scored 21 points last Saturday, either working his magic in one-on-one situations in the post or kicking it outside, where the Mocs shot 10-of-20 from 3-point range. UTC also didn’t allow UNCG to get very many easy baskets, and the Mocs more than held their own on the boards, led by Matt Ryan’s eight rebounds. Keeping SoCon player and defender of the year Isaiah Miller from controlling the pace on both ends of the court is, as always, a big key to beating the Spartans.
What’s at stake? It’s one step closer to the title round for the winner. UNCG likely needs a victory in this round to remain in consideration for an NCAA tournament at-large bid. The Mocs, even with a loss, are in play for the College Basketball Invitational or the CollegeInsider.Com Tournament, but a win would obviously enhance their postseason prospects.