If any members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team have put any additional significance on their game today against Southern Conference favorite Wofford -- an asterisk on the calendar, maybe a star or perhaps even a happy face -- one couldn't tell simply by asking.
When the two teams meet this evening in McKenzie Arena, with tipoff set for 8 on a game that will be televised on the American Sports Network, it will pit the preseason's top two teams. Although the Mocs won both meetings last year, it was the Terriers who swept through the conference tournament before falling to Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
But UTC coach Will Wade was quick to offer perspective moments after his Mocs improved to 9-6 on the season and 2-0 in conference play with a 72-60 win over Furman on Saturday.
"It's going to be a good game," Wade said. "We were predicted 1-2 in the league; they are the premier program in the league that has won the conference three of the last five years. It will be a big challenge for us, but we'll prepare for this like we prepared for Furman. We're simple; not exciting, and we do the same thing every day.
"The reality is that it's one of 18 games. It's a long season, and win or lose, they're not going to hand us the trophy on Monday. There are a lot of good teams in the league, and a lot of landmines. It's a conference home game against a good team, so we're going to prepare and be ready to go."
The Terriers enter tonight's game with a 10-4 record that includes a road win over ACC opponent N.C. State on Dec. 14. Much like the Mocs, they don't rely on one single player, although senior Karl Cochran, a 6-foot-1 guard, has over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists in his Wofford career. He would be considered the leader, but they have a number of players capable of making plays, as they return their entire starting lineup from a season ago.
A win would catapult either team to an undefeated first weekend of the conference season. With that being said, the Mocs are simply focused on staying the course and preparing the same way that they would for any foe.
"It's a conference home game," sophomore center Justin Tuoyo said. "It's gonna be a good game against a good team, just like Furman. We're going to prepare the same way, and the coaches are going to do everything with the (scouting report). We'll prepare right and come out and play our hardest."
Tuoyo has averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and 1.5 steals per game in conference play. He leads the team in scoring and blocks in the wins over The Citadel and Furman, while Jones is the team's leader in rebounds, averaging eight per game to go along with 11 points per game. Greg Pryor is second on the team in scoring in SoCon games, averaging 11.5.
Jones agreed that preparation will be key in getting a win tonight.
"The coaches will have the (scouting report) ready. We'll be aware of their personnel, and of a lot of the things they do offensively and defensively," Jones said Saturday. "We'll rest tonight, get some rest tomorrow, then go practice and get ready to play a really good team."
When the two teams meet this evening in McKenzie Arena, with tipoff set for 8 on a game that will be televised on the American Sports Network, it will pit the preseason's top two teams. Although the Mocs won both meetings last year, it was the Terriers who swept through the conference tournament before falling to Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
But UTC coach Will Wade was quick to offer perspective moments after his Mocs improved to 9-6 on the season and 2-0 in conference play with a 72-60 win over Furman on Saturday.
"It's going to be a good game," Wade said. "We were predicted 1-2 in the league; they are the premier program in the league that has won the conference three of the last five years. It will be a big challenge for us, but we'll prepare for this like we prepared for Furman. We're simple; not exciting, and we do the same thing every day.
"The reality is that it's one of 18 games. It's a long season, and win or lose, they're not going to hand us the trophy on Monday. There are a lot of good teams in the league, and a lot of landmines. It's a conference home game against a good team, so we're going to prepare and be ready to go."
The Terriers enter tonight's game with a 10-4 record that includes a road win over ACC opponent N.C. State on Dec. 14. Much like the Mocs, they don't rely on one single player, although senior Karl Cochran, a 6-foot-1 guard, has over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists in his Wofford career. He would be considered the leader, but they have a number of players capable of making plays, as they return their entire starting lineup from a season ago.
A win would catapult either team to an undefeated first weekend of the conference season. With that being said, the Mocs are simply focused on staying the course and preparing the same way that they would for any foe.
"It's a conference home game," sophomore center Justin Tuoyo said. "It's gonna be a good game against a good team, just like Furman. We're going to prepare the same way, and the coaches are going to do everything with the (scouting report). We'll prepare right and come out and play our hardest."
Tuoyo has averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and 1.5 steals per game in conference play. He leads the team in scoring and blocks in the wins over The Citadel and Furman, while Jones is the team's leader in rebounds, averaging eight per game to go along with 11 points per game. Greg Pryor is second on the team in scoring in SoCon games, averaging 11.5.
Jones agreed that preparation will be key in getting a win tonight.
"The coaches will have the (scouting report) ready. We'll be aware of their personnel, and of a lot of the things they do offensively and defensively," Jones said Saturday. "We'll rest tonight, get some rest tomorrow, then go practice and get ready to play a really good team."
