NOTES | STATS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
 
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs make their second long sojourn to a military academy over the last two Wednesdays. This week's visit to VMI comes at a crucial time. There are just two regular season games remaining, and the Mocs are in a fight for one of the six Southern Conference Tournament byes.
 
They enter at 8-8 in the league, tied with Wofford in sixth. The duo is one game behind Western Carolina and Mercer at 9-7. Chattanooga can still finish anywhere from fourth to seventh. No SoCon team has won four games in four nights when there's a bye involved.
 
The Mocs won the first meeting 86-67 14 days prior. VMI got to within six, 45-39, near the midpoint of the second half scoring seven straight capped by Travis Evee's three. Vila answered with a slam and Maurice Commander took a charge at the other end.  That started a 21-5 run that culminated in two Stefan Kenić free throws as the lead reached 22, 66-44. It got to as high as 23 before settling with the 19-point cushion.
 
Chattanooga & the Keydets enjoy thrillers in Cameron Hall. The five visits to Lexington since VMI's return to the Southern Conference include a double OT win in 2015 (86-82) followed by a 67-65 win in 2016 to clinch the 11th league regular season championship in program history, tied for the SoCon record with Davidson. The Mocs won 74-68 in 2017 before a 3-point loss in 2018 (68-65). Last year's matchup was a 1-point victory, 71-70, ending on a defensive stop. The winning margin in the five games, four won by UTC, is just 3.2 points.
 
The Mocs can clinch at least a .500 mark in game outside the Chattanooga city limits. Currently 8-8 with a 6-8 mark in true road games and 2-0 at neutral sites, it would be just the 13th time in 43 DI seasons with .500 or better away from the Scenic City as well as provide a winning 5-4 mark on conference road trips.
 
The 7 p.m., tipoff in Cameron Hall airs on ESPN+ as well over the airwaves locally on WFLI 1070 AM/97.7 FM and the TuneIn app.
   
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: ESPN+ - Wade Branner (PxP) & Grafton Young (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
- 1.19 A/TO ratio is second-best in school history behind 1.24 in 1992-93 and ahead of 1.18 in 1985-86 and 1.153 in 2015-16. The Mocs went to the postseason all three seasons with NCAA trips in 1993 and 2016 and the NIT in 1986.
- Ramon Vila is 11th in the nation in FG percentage (62.4%).
- Matt Ryan is 11th nationally in FT percentage (89.7%). Also ranks among the leaders at 54th in 3pt made/game (2.7) and 64th in percentage (35.9%).
 
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. 29: UNC Greensboro (DH), 4:30 p.m. | Current Rec.: 23-6/13-3 | Next Opp: at Chattanooga (Feb. 29)
March 6-9: Ingles SoCon Championships presented by General Shale at Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville
 
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