NOTES | STATS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
 
CHATTANOOGA---It's finally here. After completing four Southern Conference home-and-home series, the first meeting with VMI has arrived.
 
The Mocs and Keydets are both coming off big road wins. VMI toppled bitter rival The Citadel 75-64, while the Gig City lads triumphed 84-77 in a shootout over Wofford. Both got great individual performances.
 
Chattanooga saw Matt Ryan (25) and Maurice Commander (22) top the 20-point mark. Commander's all came in the second half. Greg Parham had an almost perfect day in Charleston scoring 36 points on 13-14 from the field, 6-6 on threes and 4-4 free throws. He added five assists and three steals.
 
The matchup is an interesting one in a few ways. It's February and the two sides are meeting for the first time. Both completed four series with three sweeps: Wofford (UTC), Samford (UTC) and Citadel (VMI).
 
It's the home stretch of the season with six games to posture for postseason seeding. Three come at home – VMI, Mercer & UNCG – with three on the road – Furman, The Citadel & VMI. The Mocs are tied with Mercer in sixth. Just two games separate fourth through seventh, however, so there's a lot on the line. The combined SoCon record of the final six opponents is 29-43 (.403). The first 12 at this point? 79-71 (.527).
 
Despite its record, VMI has provided a strong challenge in virtually every SoCon outing. Near misses at ETSU (61-55) and Furman (74-72 OT), along with home losses to Mercer (69-66) and Samford (78-75) have the Keydets well behind the race to the top six but definitely a dangerous proposition.
 
Wednesday's game with VMI is Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night. The athletics department is offering $5 tickets for all UTC Faculty & Staff for the VMI game and Thursday's women's game against Mercer. Purchase online at GoMocs.com using UTC email address or at the McKenzie Arena box office with valid Mocs card.
 
The 7 p.m., tipoff in the Roundhouse airs on ESPN+ as well over the airwaves locally on WFLI 1070 AM/97.7 FM and the TuneIn app.
   
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: ESPN+ - Chris Goforth (PxP) & Todd Agne (Analysis)
 
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
- Rod Johnson is shooting 52.7% FG (29-55), 47.6% 3pt (10-21), 70.8% FT (17-24) over last 10.
- Maurice Commander committed one or few TO in 13 of 24 starts at the 1. His career-high 22 points at Wofford all came in the second half.
- Ramon Vila has 10 or more points in nine straight and 15 of the last 16. He's averaging 13.9 ppg over those 16 games shooting 63.8 percent.
 
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. 15: at Furman, 4 p.m. | Current Rec.: 20-5/10-2 | Next Opp: at Samford (Feb. 12)
Feb. 19: at The Citadel, 7 p.m. | Current Rec.: 6-17/0-12 | Next Opp: at ETSU (Feb. 12)
Feb. 22: Mercer, 4:30 pm (DH) | Current Rec: 12-13/6-6 | Next Opp: at Wofford (Feb. 12)
 
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.