PREVIEW: Three Game in Three Days for the Mocs at South Alabama Tournament

Friday, November 16

Mobile, Ala.

8:05 PM

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

South Alabama

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Junior Jerry Johnson, Jr.

Photo by: Frank Mattia

11/15/2018 12:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Jerry Johnson, Jr., and the Chattanooga Mocs are in a tournament setting this weekend with three games at South Alabama’s Goldie & Herman Ungar Classic.

GAME NOTES | STATS | TICKETS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL

CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs head to Mobile, Ala., this weekend for the Goldie & Herman Ungar Classic. The three-games-in-three days is a great opportunity for a young team to learn about the rigors of a March tournament run.

But let's not get to ahead of ourselves. The Mocs get to face three teams that are similar in ilk to their Southern Conference rivals. Host South Alabama (1-1) is first followed by Southeast Missouri (1-2) and Jacksonville (0-3).

Gig City's lads are 2-1 so far with a win at Charlotte and last Tuesday at home against Cumberland book-ending a narrow defeat to Eastern Kentucky. It's a promising start for a team with the nation's fewest returning letter winners (1-David Jean-Baptiste).

Freshman Kevin Easley paces the Mocs at 17. 7 points per game. Grad transfer Thomas Smallwood (UAB) averages a double-double at 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest. Donovann Toatley (12.7 ppg) and Jerry Johnson, Jr., (10.7 ppg) also tally double digits early in the campaign.

Games No. 4-6: Chattanooga (2-1) at Goldie & Herman Ungar Classic
Site: Mobile, Ala. | Mitchell Center (10,000)
Times (EST): 8:05 p.m. Friday | 5:05 p.m. Saturday | 4:05 p.m. Sunday
Watch: ESPN+ on Friday night with South Alabama announcers on the mic. Saturday and Sunday are not available on video.
Listen: There are three places where you can find "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds' call. In Chattanooga, listen on 96.1 FM on the dial. Away from the Scenic City, catch it either on GoMocs.com or the TuneIn app. Links to video, audio and live stats are provided on the men's basketball schedule page. Chris Goforth is filling in for the venerable J.R., this weekend.
Tickets: Tickets for home events can be purchased on GoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627).

PROBABLE STARTERS
F – 1 – Jonathan Scott: 6.3 ppg | 3.7 rpg
F – 34 – Kevin Easley: 17.7 ppg | 6.0 rpg
C – 33 – Thomas Smallwood: 14.7 ppg | 10.7 rpg
G – 5 – Donovann Toatley: 12.7 ppg | 3.7 apg
G – 2 – Jerry Johnson, Jr.: 10.7 ppg | 3.7 rpg

SERIES VS. SOUTH ALABAMA
Tied 1-1 | Home: 1-0, Away: 0-0, Neutral: 0-1

DATE	SITE	RESULT	SCORE
12/30/93	H	W	85-69
11/25/07	N	L	67-84

SERIES VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Chattanooga trails 0-1 | Home: 0-1, Away: 0-0, Neutral: 0-0

DATE	SITE	RESULT	SCORE
11/18/12	H	L	65-77

SERIES VS. JACKSONVILLE
Chattanooga trails 2-8 | Home: 1-5, Away: 0-3, Neutral:1-0

DATE	SITE	RESULT	SCORE
1925-26	H	W	31-13
1953-54	A	L	79-81
1954-55	H	L	48-63
1954-55	H	L	71-87
1955-56	A	L	74-94
1955-56	H	L	63-86
1956-57	H	L	58-66
1957-58	H	L	79-88
1957-58	A	L	71-87
12/9/88	N	W	77-76 (OT)

NOTABLE

South Alabama on Friday marks the fourth time in four games that the Mocs face a team with a coach in his first year with the program. Richie Riley took the Jaguars helm after two seasons leading the Nicholls State program.
Maurice Commander has been strong in sixth man role so far. The combo guard is third on the team with 5.0 boards per contest adding 9.3 points.
This is the lone in-season event for the Mocs this season. The program is 104-52 (.667) in such events with 36 tourney wins including six in the last 10. Last four meetings for Chattanooga with South Alabama (1993/Dr Pepper Cl./2007 Anaheim Cl.), SEMO (2012 CBE Cl.) and Jacksonville (1988 Texas Inv.) came in such events.

SIGNING DAY
The Mocs signed two yesterday as the 2019 early signing period opened. High school seniors Jaden Frazier (Blue Ridge School/Virginia) and Grant Ledford (Grace Christian/Knoxville) inked to join the 2019-20 roster. Read about the exciting duo here.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 16: at South Alabama, 8:05 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17: vs. SE Missouri, 5:05 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 18: vs. Jacksonville, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 23 at Michigan, 4 p.m.
Nov. 27 vs. Hiwassee, 7 p.m.

GOMOCS.COM IN A WORD FEATURE SERIES
David Jean-Baptiste – Engaged
Thomas Smallwood – Dad
Rod Johnson – Mayor
Kevin Easley – Goofy
Justin Brown – Waffle
Jerry Johnson, Jr. – Buckets
Jonathan Scott – Energy
Keigan Kerby – Hair

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