Jeff Smith and Jeremy Saffore have been heckled more than all other players on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball roster this year.
Opposing fan groups pick on Smith for the prescription goggles he wears during games, and Saffore is the center of verbal jabs for his 7-foot-1 stature.
They've been hearing the jeers for years. Saffore and Smith are closing in on the end of five-year careers with the Mocs. Their last regular-season home games are Monday and Wednesday nights against Furman and Wofford.
"Jeff and Jeremy are leaving here with at least two rings -- not sure about a third," coach John Shulman said. "They've been here through the good times and the bad times."
While drawing flak in opposing arenas, the two have at times endeared themselves to the UTC fan base.
Smith propelled the Mocs past East Tennessee State last year with a 3-pointer and a three-point play in the final minutes.
"That was the first time I was playing out of position in a game," Smith said. "Coach said I'd have to play the 4; he put me in there, and I did good."
And Saffore had the Mocs' final baskets to beat Marshall this season.
"I loved beating Marshall," Saffore said. "That's beating an old rival of Chattanooga from back in the day."
Saffore is set to graduate in May. Smith already has a bachelor's degree in general management. He'll have a second in marketing and a third in entrepreneurship as well.
"They're fifth-year guys. They've been consistent, stable; they've stayed out of trouble," Shulman said. "I'm indebted to them both."
Smith signed with UTC out of Tyner on the other side of town and then spent a year at Maine Central Institute before joining the Mocs basketball program. He's had memorable moments such as the ETSU game while amassing 172 career points.
"I haven't been the main guy or the main scorer like people thought I'd be," Smith said. "I accepted that, and I'm happy with my role as a role player."
Saffore, who also plays trumpet in addition to basketball, redshirted his freshman season out of Hillwood High School in Nashville. He became the starting center last year and continued that role this season. He averaged six points a game last year and is pulling down 3.4 rebounds a game this season.
"Everybody says, 'If I'm 7-1, I'd be in the NBA,' but no, you'd have the same issues as Jeremy," Shulman said. "He's gotten better, loads better, and it's been nice to see him have success."
A little more success from Saffore and Smith could extend UTC's season beyond the Southern Conference tournament and into the Big Dance.
"It's kid of sad that we're getting down to the last few games I play with this jersey on," Saffore said. "I've been on so many different teams and had so many ups and downs."
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