The 23rd Dr.Pepper Classic tips off today at 4:30 p.m. as Austin Peay faces Utah Valley followed by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga-High Point (N.C.) game at 7.
The Mocs (3-8) have won 14 of the 23 titles and three of the last four, including a 74-59 triumph against Utah Valley in last year’s final.
UTC is 36-8 (81.8%) in all Dr. Pepper Classic games and 21-1 in opening round games.
4:30 P.M. Austin Peay (4-8) vs.
Utah Valley (6-8)
Austin Peay Governors are led by Travis Betran (15.4 ppg, 2.3 assists), Anthony Campbell (13.8 ppg, 4.5 rbpg) and Chris Horton (8.9 ppg, 6.9 rbpg).
Governors have wins against SoCon teams, Samford and Western Carolina … APSU has lost four straight and five of last six.
Utah Valley is led by Ben Aird (12.6 ppg, 7.7 rbpg) and Holton Hunsaker (11.1 ppg) …
Playing in Six States … after today’s game, the Wolverines will have played in six states outside of Utah … Indiana (L), North Carolina (W,L) , California (W,L,L), Washington (L) and Alabama (W).
7 p.m. – High Point (4-6) vs. Chattanooga (3-8)
High Point (N.C.) Panthers are led by John Brown (18.1 ppg) and Allan Chaney (13.8 ppg, 8.1 rbpg)
Human Interest Note: 6-9 Allan Chaney is a graduate student and did not play college basketball for 44 months … due to a heart ailment - viral myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart that can be fatal - plus sitting out a year after transferring to Va. Tech from U. of Florida … did not play from March 5, 2009 at Florida to Nov.9, 2012 at High Point .. started at U. of Florida in the fall of 2008 then transferred to Va. Tech but never played … The NCAA has given him a medical redshirt year for 2013-14.
Chaney averaged 26 ppg and 15 rbpg at New London (Conn.) HS …
As has Austin Peay, the Panthers have two wins against SoCon schools; UNCG (81-73) and a 22-point road win Appalachian State.
Common Opponent with UTC: both have lost to Eastern Kentucky
UTC is 3-8 and beat Reinhardt 108-78 on Dec. 21 … Z. Mason leads the Mocs in scoring (12.0), and rebounding (7.1) … Drazen Zlovaric leads in FG% (52.4%) … Ronrico White is first in 3-pt FG% (33.3%) and FT% (78.8%) …
UTC leads the SoCon in rebounding margin (+8.1) … 26th in the NCAA.