NOTES | STATS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
 
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs play their second return game of the 2019-20 season, first in Southern Conference play Wednesday night at Samford. The Mocs swept non-conference opponent Troy earlier this year and start a quartet of back end of home-and-home league matchups with the Bulldogs.
 
Chattanooga is 13-8 on the campaign, 4-4 in the SoCon lurking in a tie for sixth with Mercer. The top seven teams are separated by a mere three games nearing the mid-point of the conference season. Top six earn first round byes at the SoCon Championships in Asheville.
 
Matt Ryan continues to pace the Mocs scoring ledger at 14.1 points per contest. Seven average 5.1 or better with David Jean-Baptiste (13.2) and Ramon Vila (11.6) joining Ryan in double figures, with Vila pacing an ever-increasing rebounding effort at 5.6 per game.
 
Samford joins the proceedings at 8-14, 2-6 in league play. It features one of the leading guards in league play in dynamic point guard Josh Sharkey. He's 18.0 points, 7.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He leads the league in the latter two stats with his five steals in the first matchup tying for an opponent high this year. Brandon Austin adds a 14.0 scoring average shooting an impressive 42.3 percent from 3pt range.
 
The Mocs are on a strong shooting run over the last seven games making 50.0 percent overall (170-340) and 41.8 percent (56-134) beyond the arc. That's led by Vila and reserve wing A.J. Caldwell. Vila's made six or more FG in five straight shooting 62.1 percent (36-58). Caldwell is on a tear over the last five games shooting 81.0 percent (17-21) overall including 72.7 percent (8-11) from three-point range. He's averaging 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest over that span.
 
The 7:30 p.m., Eastern time, tipoff in the Hanna Center is on ESPN+ as well over the airwaves locally on WFLI 1070 AM/97.7 FM and the TuneIn app. The Mocs return home Saturday hosting three of the next four against Western Carolina (Feb. 1), ETSU (Feb. 5) and VMI (Feb. 12). The Catamounts contest is reunion weekend with the greats of the Mocs past returning to the Roundhouse.
 
Chattanooga (13-8/4-4) at Samford (8-14/2-6)
7:30 pm | Jan. 29 | Birmingham, Ala. | Hanna Ctr (5,000)
 
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: ESPN+ - Curt Bloom (PxP), Boyd Kaiser (Color) and Noel Espinal (Sideline)
 
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
- 101st meeting with the Bulldogs is the longest-running series in program history. The 61 wins ranks third behind Western Carolina (66) and The Citadel (66).
- Chattanooga leads the Southern Conference in defensive rebound percentage (.761) That number is 77.3 percent in league play and .821 over the last nine games (257/313). Samford was the most successful on the offensive glass over the last nine games with a .318 mark in Chattanooga (14/44). The 14 total is second most of any opponent this season.
- Jean-Baptiste is 15 points shy of 800 for his career. He's just 24 points shy of his career-best season point total of 301 set last season in 10 extra games.
 
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. Consider the new "All You Can Eat" option.
 
MBB UPCOMING GAMES
Feb. 1: Western Carolina (Reunion Weekend) | Current Rec.: 13-6/5-3 | Next Opp: UNCG (Jan. 29)
Feb. 5: ETSU | Current Rec.: 18-3/7-1 | Next Opp: Mercer (Jan. 29)
Feb. 8: at Wofford | Current Rec.: 13-8/5-3 | Next Opp: at The Citadel (Jan. 29)
 
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