University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball has always been a known brand, but the program hadn’t had a shining moment. At least not recently.
Sure, there was the Sweet 16 run in 1997, but that wasn’t captured in HD, let alone 4K. Since then there have been five regular-season Southern Conference championships and four SoCon tournament titles, but no NCAA tournament wins.
But now things are different.
The 2025 National Invitation Tournament run — which was honored with the hanging of the championship banner Monday — with five wins as a lower-seeded team brought an additional layer of excitement to the program. It also gave the Mocs their greatest accomplishment since their NCAA tournament run nearly three decades ago.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (12) John Carreker defends as UTC (3) Jikari Johnson slams a dunk during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Fans cheer as the NIT Championship banner unfurls before the start of the UTC home game against Union Commonwealth at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (11) David Valentine defends as UTC (10) Teddy Washington, Jr. drives the ball down the court during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ The UTC bench erupts as UTC (1) Brennan Watkins drains a three during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (0) Tate Darner puts up an open three during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (3) Jikari Johnson takes a three during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (0) Tate Darner puts up an open three during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (5) Jordan Frison drives to the hoop during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth defenders can’t stop UTC (10) Teddy Washington, Jr. as he puts up a shot during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (23) Latif Diouf slams a dunk during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (4) Kaleb Hedgepath defends as UTC (5) Jordan Frison drives under the basket during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (22) Ali Sakho and (4) Kaleb Hedgepath defend as UTC (7) Sean Cusano battles under the hoop during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC head coach Dan Earl watches the action during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC fans take advantage of expanded courtside seating during the game against Union Commonwealth at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (21) Drew Rhodes defends as UTC (11) Billy Smith puts up shot during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (12) John Carreker defends as UTC (3) Jikari Johnson drives to the hoop during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Union Commonwealth (22) Ali Sakho defends as UTC (23) Latif Diouf drives in the paint during their game at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (5) Jordan Frison cheers for the student section after their win over Union Commonwealth at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
What the fans in attendance for Monday’s season opener saw was domination by a Mocs team replacing nine players from last year’s 29-9 dream season. UTC cruised to a 92-39 victory over NAIA Union Commonwealth, a win where all 12 Mocs that were available scored.
