FEATURE: ESTER FLIES UNDER THE RADAR | FEATURE: MCLEAN, PRYOR EXCEL WITH HIGH-MAJOR WORK ETHIC | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | ROSTER | PRESEASON PROSPECTUS
 
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball program is coming off a historic season. The squad won a school-record 29 games, including victories at Dayton, Georgia and Illinois, while capturing regular season and tournament championships in the Southern Conference.
 
In the third of a three-part series previewing the 2016-17 campaign, GoMocs.com takes a look at the Mocs' big men. The first two installments focused on the point guards here and the wings here.
 
Both starters are back in seniors Justin Tuoyo and Chuck Ester. Tuoyo is a two-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while Ester proved his worth taking over the 4 position after Casey Jones' injury last season.
 
Tuoyo averaged 11.1 points and 5.0 assists per contest in 2015-16. He led the league in blocks for the second year in a row ranking among the national leaders with 77. His 181 career swats is the school record. According to coach Matt McCall, Tuoyo's not resting on his laurels.
 
"Justin had a terrific summer," McCall noted. "There was zero complacency in the way he went about working on his all-around game. His ability to block shots is obviously special. His offensive game and presence inside really impacts our team too.
 
"He is one of the best passing big men I've ever coached. He takes pride in that and it shows. He's also as high a character kid as we have. Really excited about his last year here."
 
Ester impacts the game in every area for the Mocs. He ranked among the team leaders in points (7.7 ppg), rebounds (4.9), assists (2.0), blocks (0.5) and steals (1.2). He's just as likely to make a key defensive play, big shot or crucial rebound.
 
"Chuck Ester is the guy who doesn't get talked about a lot, but he has as much an impact on our team as anyone," McCall added. "The power forward spot is such a valuable position in our offense. Chuck is one of the smartest players I've ever coached on the basketball floor. He knows the right play to make and is always in the right spot defensively.
 
"He's one of the most reliable guys out there. The things he does don't always show on the stat sheet, but as a coach, you know the depth of impact he has on our team."
 
There is one new performer in the mix in junior college transfer Trayvond Massenburg. Massenburg, whose cousin Tony is a former NBA player, joined the program in August from Southeastern Community College in Iowa. He brings athleticism and physicality to the post.
 
"Massenburg has done an unbelievable job of one, getting into shape, and two, learning and digesting our system," McCall continued. "He's getting things in practice and has a physical presence there. He's still got a lot left to learn, but the strides he's made just since August are astronomical to where he can now get on the floor and impact our team."
 
While just three student-athletes are focused in the post, there is plenty of depth and options for the staff. Casey Jones has played more than his fair share of minutes at the 4 in his career and is more than capable of sliding over from the 3 in a smaller unit look. Tre' McLean also has that ability as could Nat Dixon.
 
Click the "Feature: Ester Flies Under the Radar" link for the GoMocs.com feature story on Chuck Ester's impact on the squad's success. The previous two features are included as well in case you missed them the first time around.
 
Links for this year's schedule, tickets, roster and preseason prospectus are available as well leading into the exhibition contest with Covenant next Friday, Nov. 4. Follow @GoMocsMBB on Twitter for "countdown to gameday" heading into the season opener Nov. 11 at Tennessee.
 
Season tickets are available on GoMocs.com at the link above or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627).
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
 
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
- The Mocs are by far the most successful program in the Southern Conference since joining the league in 1977-78. The team has won 30 titles with 11 regular season, 11 tournament and eight division.
- 16 NCAA Tournament Appearances (11 DI): 1961 (DII), 1973 (DII), 1975 (DII), 1976 (DII Runner-up), 1977 (DII National Champs), 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (Sweet 16), 2005, 2009, 2016
- 11 SoCon Tournament Crowns: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2009, 2016
- 11 SoCon Regular Season Championships: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2016
- 8 Division Titles: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011
- The 1997 team went to the NCAA Sweet 16 with wins over Georgia and Illinois.
- 5 SoCon Players of the Year: Willie White (1981-82), Keith Nelson (1991-92), Tim Brooks (1992-93), Chad Copeland (1993-94) and Johnny Taylor (1996-97).
- 3 SoCon Defensive Players of the Year: Z. Mason (2014), Justin Tuoyo (2015, 2016).
- 4 SoCon Coaches of the Year: Murray Arnold (1982, '83), Mack McCarthy (1986, '92, '93), Will Wade (2014) and Matt McCall (2016).
- 9 NBA Draft Picks: Walter "Moose" McGary (1973 & '74), William Gordon (1977), Wayne Golden (1977), Russ Schoene (1982), Nick Morken (1982), Willie White (1984), Gerald Wilkins (1985, 13 seasons) and Johnny Taylor (1997 1st Round).