CHATTANOOGA --- The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team enters the 2023 Ingles Southern Conference Championships as the No. 7 seed after finishing the regular season with a 15-16 overall record and a 7-11 mark inside SoCon play. The Mocs will face No. 10 VMI in the First Round on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center.
 
UTC, the defending tournament champions, are in search of the program's 13th tournament title after claiming the 2022 SoCon title in dramatic fashion last March when David Jean-Baptiste connected on a three from just inside the half-court mark to down Furman 64-63 in overtime. The 12 tournament titles are four more than any current (and former) SoCon member.
 
Chattanooga has had a roller coaster of a ride in 2023 after dealing with injuries for a majority of the season. SoCon Preseason Player of the Year Jake Stephens has missed the final 11 games of the regular season after suffering an injury against Furman on January 18. At the time of injury, Stephens was averaging 21.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 blocks per game which not only led the SoCon, but ranked among NCAA Division I's best.
 
Irony will play out in Friday's opening round as the team gets set to face No. 10 VMI. Head coach Dan Earl arrived in the Scenic City in March of 2022 after spending seven seasons at the helm of the Keydets. In addition, Earl snagged VMI transfers in Stephens and Honor Huff ahead of his initial campaign at UTC this year.
 
Despite the injury playing a factor on games played, Stephens was named to the All-SoCon First Team (media) and All-SoCon Second Team (coaches) after averaging 22.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the seven SoCon contests he was able to play. Stephens' rookie protege Sam Alexis was tabbed to the SoCon All-Freshman Team (media) after a successful rookie season.
 
The 2023 Ingles Southern Conference Tournament will be carried LIVE through various ESPN platforms and the Watch ESPN App. Fans can also listen LIVE on WFLI 96.1 FM/100.3 FM/1070 AM in Chattanooga as well as the Varsity Network app.

FIRST ROUND INFO
No. 7 Chattanooga (15-16) vs. No. 10 VMI (8-24)
Friday, March 3 · 7:30 p.m. ET · Asheville, N.C. · Harrah's Cherokee Center (7,674)
ESPN+ · Listen · Live Stats · Tournament Central
 
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Chattanooga · SoCon Program
 
TICKET INFORMATION
All-Session General Admission Ticket Books for the Southern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in Asheville will go on sale Thursday, January 5! The Men's Championship will consist of 10 teams participating in games from March 2-6. The Women's Championship will consist of 8 teams participating in games on March 2, 3 and 5. Visit the link below to purchase your All-Session General Admission tickets today! BUY TICKETS
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY & TICKET NOTES
Age 5 and under are free in the General Admission area only. Kids must have a ticket in all reserved seats - only 2 and under may sit on a parent's lap.
 
SoCon Clear Bag Policy - Large Bags, backpacks, luggage, laptops, tables, coolers, briefcases and like articles are strictly prohibited from the facilities. Small clutches, purses etc less than 6"x 6" x 6" are permitted. Clear bags, smaller than 18" x 18" x 12", are also permitted if easily visually searched by security. Security retains the right to deny entry to any bag at their discretion.

MOCS FAN CENTRAL IN ASHEVILLE
The Bier Garden (46 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801) is the home of Mocs during the SoCon Tournament in Asheville, NC this year. This will be the gathering place for all things UTC during the Championship weekend.
 
As our teams advance in the tournament, we will be hosting socials at The Bier Garden starting 90 minutes prior to tip and ending 15 minutes prior to tip. Below are details for the current schedule of events:
 
Thursday, March 3  (2:00pm - 3:15pm)
Women's Basketball Pregame Social
 
Friday, March 4 (6:00pm - 7:15pm)
Men's Basketball Pregame Social
 
To view the 2023 Men's and Women's Tournament Brackets, CLICK HERE!

Can't make it? There will be an official watch in Chattanooga for the men's game on Friday hosted by the UTC Office of Alumni Affairs at Walk-On's downtown. Additional watch parties will commence if our teams advance.
 
HOTEL INFORMATION FOR MOCS FANS & ALUMNI
Mocs Fans can now reserve their room in the official fan block at the Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown (309 College St, Asheville, NC 28801) located just .52 miles from Harrah's Cherokee Center. To make your reservation today and receive the special discounted rate, please click here. Please note, this link will expire on February 10, 2022. 

For information on other hotel accommodations, please click here.

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