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Frank Mattia
Sophomore A.J. Caldwell.

Men's Basketball

PREVIEW: Kenic Joins Roster for Emerald Coast Classic

A.J. Caldwell and the Chattanooga Mocs spend Thanksgiving weekend in the Florida panhandle at the Emerald Coast Classic.

NOTES | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
 
CHATTANOOGA--- The Chattanooga Mocs are back in action Friday and Saturday at the Emerald Coast Classic. They take on Alabama State in first round action Friday at 2:30 p.m., Eastern time, in Raider Arena on the campus of NW Florida in Niceville. That result dictates the next matchup against either Chicago State or old friend Jacksonville State Saturday (11 am or 1:30 pm).
 
Chattanooga got a big addition to the roster Monday night with news from Indianapolis. The NCAA approved the waiver appeal for Cleveland State transfer Stefan Kenić. The junior forward is immediately eligible. He started 59 of 66 games in his two seasons with the Vikings averaging 9.3 points per game.
 
"We're excited for Stef," Coach Lamont Paris shared. "He's a really high-character guy who just wants to compete and be good at basketball while enjoying the college experience.
 
"We're not putting any expectations on him as a player heading into this weekend. He hasn't played a minute of college basketball this season. We are really happy for him and for our group. I don't like the word deserved, but the NCAA made the right decision, and we're glad to have him available this year."
 
The Mocs are 3-3 on the season after Monday's battle with #17 Tennessee in Knoxville. The defense limited the Vols to just 58 points, but the offense mustered just 46 in the 12-point loss which is the narrowest margin of victory for our Knoxville campus this season.
 
David Jean-Baptiste leads the way averaging 15.2 points per game followed closely by Matt Ryan's 14.3 per contest. Rod Johnson (6.7 rpg) and Ramon Vila (6.0) top the work on the glass.
 
Alabama State enters at 0-5 with a brutal stretch to open the season. ASU faced road games against three ranked opponents - No. 7 Gonzaga (64-95), No. 17 Tennessee (41-76) and No. 19 VCU (62-78) - and another receiving votes in Houston (56-84). The other loss was 59-50 at Missouri State.
 
The Hornets are led by Tobi Ewuosho. He's off to a fantastic start especially considering the gauntlet they've faced. Ewuosho averages 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game shooting 52.4 percent, 50.0 percent from three and 81.8 percent (27-33) at the free throw line. He's accounted for nearly 28 percent of the Hornets offensive output.
 
Chicago State is 3-4 and Jacksonville State 1-3. Should the Mocs and Cougars match up, it will be for the first time. If it's JSU, it'll be for the 24th time and fourth in the last four years.
 
Chattanooga (3-3) vs. Alabama State (0-5)
2:30 p.m. (ET) | Nov. 29 | Niceville, Fla. | Raider Arena (2,300)
 
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: Emerald Classic TV
 
RADIO: WFLI 97.7 FM & 1070 AM. Jim Reynolds is in his 40th year as the "Voice of the Mocs". The broadcast is also available on the TuneIn app.
 
Links to audio, video & live stats are always available on GoMocs.com's men's basketball schedule page.
 
3 NOTES TO KNOW
- It's déjà vu all over again. This is the second visit to the Emerald Coast Classic with the Mocs winning their 2015 bracket facing Alabama State and Jacksonville State. They toppled the Hornets 95-58 before defeating the Gamecocks 62-52. JSU won their first contest in Niceville 68-65 over...Chicago State.
- 104-55 (.654) in in-season tourney play with 36 titles. The last? 2015 Emerald Coast Classic.
- Two wins this week would give the Mocs five in November for just the third time in program history matching 2015-16 (5-2) & 2016-17 (5-2).
 
TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets can be purchased on GoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or 425-5740. Fans can also stop by the Gate 1 ticket office at McKenzie Arena.

MBB UPCOMING GAMES
Nov. 30: vs. Chicago State or Jacksonville State (Niceville, Fla.), 11 am/1:30 pm | Records: 3-4/1-3
Dec. 3: at Western Carolina | 7 p.m. | Current Rec.: 4-2 | Next Opp: Bryan (Nov. 27)
Dec. 8: Tennessee Wesleyan | 1p.m. | Current Rec.: 3-5 | Next: Pensacola Christian (Dec. 3)
 
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Trey Doomes (dooms)
David Jean-Baptiste (GENE-bapt-TEEST)
Stefan (STEF-fun) Kenić (ken-NICH)
Prosper Obidiebube (oh-bee-dee-EH-BU-bay)
Alex Tostado (toe-STAH-doh)
Ramon (ruh-MOAN) Vila (VEE-lah)
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. 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.
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Players Mentioned

David Jean-Baptiste

#3 David Jean-Baptiste

G
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
Rod Johnson

#11 Rod Johnson

F
6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
Alex Tostado

#10 Alex Tostado

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Ramon Vila

#15 Ramon Vila

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
Matt Ryan

#32 Matt Ryan

G/F
6' 7"
Graduate Student
Prosper Obidiebube

#24 Prosper Obidiebube

F
6' 8"
Freshman
Trey Doomes

#23 Trey Doomes

G
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

David Jean-Baptiste

#3 David Jean-Baptiste

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
G
Rod Johnson

#11 Rod Johnson

6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
F
Alex Tostado

#10 Alex Tostado

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Ramon Vila

#15 Ramon Vila

6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
F
Matt Ryan

#32 Matt Ryan

6' 7"
Graduate Student
G/F
Prosper Obidiebube

#24 Prosper Obidiebube

6' 8"
Freshman
F
Trey Doomes

#23 Trey Doomes

6' 3"
Sophomore
G