Wow, what a basketball schedule.
UTC coach Matt McCall and his staff have for Mocs fans an attractive, highly competitive non-conference schedule including games with SEC and ACC foes.
The Mocs open the season on the road with Tennessee (Nov.11) and North Carolina (Nov.13) - followed by the home opener with Hiwassee (Nov. 16).
December shows four home games with Louisiana-Monroe (Dec.3), Marshall (Dec.6), Tennessee Wesleyan (Dec.14) and Jacksonville State (Dec.21) and a trip to Nashville to take on Vandy (Dec.17).
“We wanted to get home games our fans could really get behind,” coach McCall said giving insight into the staff’s scheduling process.
“Our fans are terrific in league play, so you want to reward them as best you can in non-league games.
“The fact that we were able to add a game like Marshall, which is an “old-school” rival, is going to be an exciting game in December worthy of that terrific environment. They’re likely to be one of the top teams in Conference USA, Monroe is coming off back-to-back 20-win years and Jacksonville State is a local rival as well.”
UTC 1916-17 Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Nov.4 - Covenant College (exhibition game)
Nov. 11 – at Tennessee
Nov. 13 – at North Carolina
Nov. 16 – Hiwassee (home opener)
Nov. 19 – 20 ... UTC will participate in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational (regional games).. the other teams and the schedule of games will be announced later this summer
Nov. 26 – at Kennesaw (Ga.) State
Nov.29 - at Coastal Carolina
Dec. 3 – Louisiana-Monroe
Dec. 6 – Marshall
Dec. 14 – Tenn. Wesleyan
Dec. 17 – at Vanderbilt
Dec. 21 – Jacksonville (Ala.) State
home games in bold
“I think as you try to piece together your non-conference schedule, you factor in getting yourself as prepared as possible for league play,” McCall stated. “You also want to get games that geographically make sense. But really, it’s to challenge your team and push your team to get better.
“To be able to play two high-major, in-state opponents is great for our program. Between being close (to UT and Vandy) benefits our student-athletes. Playing two SEC-level teams as close as they are to us…we are looking forward to that challenge.”
Notes: UTC will play a Southern Cnference game in December ... The SoCon office will release the conference schedule later this summer ...
Marshall is home and home series with the Mocs playing at Marshall next season ...
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net