CHATTANOOGA --- The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team is set to begin this year's Southern Conference slate with a highly anticipated matchup against in-state rival ETSU inside the friendly confines of McKenzie Arena on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:01 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
 
Chattanooga (10-3) wrapped up non-conference play last Wednesday with a come-from-behind victory over Middle Tennessee, 77-65, behind a strong second half performance. It marked the first 10 non-conference win season for the program since the 2015-16 season. The Mocs enter the game No. 15 in the latest Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 and current sit at No. 40 in the latest NCAA NET Rankings (games thru 12/28).
 
ETSU (8-5) heads to the Scenic City coming off a thrilling 86-84 win at Georgia last Wednesday, notching the league's third win over an SEC member this season. The Bucs only faced one common opponent of UTC in the non-conference slate, picking up a 66-58 over Murray State at the Naples Invitational in Naples, Fla., on November 22.

The upcoming game vs. ETSU is televised LIVE on ESPNU and can also be accessed through the Watch ESPN platform or fans can listen on WFLI 97.7 FM/1070 AM in Chattanooga as well as on GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network app.
 
More game details, notes and more are below.
 
GAME BASICS
▪ Chattanooga (10-3, 0-0) vs. ETSU (8-5, 0-0)
▪ 7:01 p.m. ET | McKenzie Arena (10,955) | Chattanooga, Tenn.
▪ WATCH (ESPNU) | LISTEN (WFLI 97.7FM/1050AM) | STATS
▪ BUY TICKETS* | STUDENT TICKETS
*Special alumni tickets can be purchased for $8 with seats located in the student section. Use promo code: UTCALUMNI before checkout. 

GAME NOTES
Chattanooga | ETSU | SoCon
 
SERIES HISTORY – 95^th Meeting
All-Time: 49-45 – Chattanooga
Last: 63-53, ETSU – Mar. 6, 2021 (Asheville, N.C.)*
Home: 26-12 – Chattanooga
Away: 25-16 – ETSU
Neutral: 8-7 – ETSU
*-SoCon Quarterfinals
 
TIP-OFF
- Chattanooga enters the game with a 10-3 record... coming off a 77-65 win on Wednesday over Middle Tennessee... the win snapped a two-game skid after losses at Belmont and Murray State... the matchup with the Blue Raiders marked the final non-conference game of the season.

- In its last meeting, Chattanooga dropped a 63-53 decision to ETSU in the Quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament in Asheville, N.C., back on March 6, 2021... the Mocs were without starters Malachi Smith and Darius Banks due to COVID-related issues.
 
- ETSU finished the non-conference slate with an 8-5 mark after most recently defeating Georgia on the road, 86-84, last Wednesday... the win snapped a two-game skid after losses to NC A&T (home) and UNC Asheville (road)... the Bucs defeated common opponent Murray State in Naples, Fla., 66-58 on November 22.

BY THE NUMBERS 
- After dropping 24 points on Wednesday, David Jean-Baptiste moved into fifth-place on the Mocs all-time scoring list passing the legendary trio of Gerald Wilkins (1983-85), Brandon Born (1991-95) and Walter "Moose" McGary (1972-74)... his 1,468 points are 180 shy of fourth-place David Bryan's (1966-69) 1,648… needs just three more 3PT FG to become school's all-time leader (243, Stephen McDowell).
 
- Malachi Smith posted 21 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in Wednesday's win over MTSU... 20+ in six of the last seven games averaging 25.9 points per contest over that span... first double-double of the campaign, 10th of his career...
Smith is shooting 54.9 percent overall (95-173), 42.9 percent from three (21-49) and 85.7 percent at the charity stripe (54-63)... if he finishes his season at 50/40/80, it would be the first such stat line in school history… ranks 19th in NCAA Division I basketball this season with a 20.4ppg average.
 
- Following Wednesday's win over MTSU, David Jean-Baptiste (24) and Malachi Smith (21) marked the 8th straight game with a 20pt scorer... Malachi Smith (6x), Silvio DeSousa (2x) & David Jean-Baptiste (1x)… last time with eight straight games of at least one 20pt scorer? Jan. 10-Feb. 16, 2004 (10 games).
 
FAN INFORMATION & COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Masks are no longer required for fans inside McKenzie, however, the use of masks is encouraged. McKenzie Arena and parking services will operate on a CASHLESS basis for the 2021-22 season. Ticket purchases at the box office will still accept cash. Will Call will be located at Gate 1.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance spectator safety and align with national best-practices, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department has a clear bag policy for home games in all of its athletics facilities. 
 
Fans are allowed to bring in one plastic, vinyl or PVC clear bag that does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" to home games.
 
Other items on the approved list include:
               - Storage Bag:  One Gallon re-sealable clear plastic freezer bag.
                - Small Clutch Purse:  No larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. 
                - Seat Cushion or Bleacher Chair:  No larger than 16" and no pockets. 
                - Small Diaper Bag:  Must be accompanied by a child. 
 
Prohibited items include:
                - Large Purse
                - Large Tote
                - Non-Clear/Printed Tote
                - Duffel Bag
                - Drawstring Bag
                - Backpack
                - Fanny Pack
                - Camera Bag

FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
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