An attractive 18-home game schedule, plus road trips to NCAA runner-up Kansas, LSU and Georgia Tech highlight the 2012-13 Chattanooga men’s basketball schedule.

“I am excited about the upcoming season and with 18 home games that’s great for our young players and our fans,” said UTC coach John Shulman.

The Mocs open the season with Tennessee Temple (Nov.12), quickly fly to Kansas to play the NCAA runner-up Jayhawks (Nov. 15) and then home (Nov.18-20) for three more against Southeast Missouri State, Troy State and Louisiana Tech.

UTC plays eight of its first 11 contests at home before Christmas, followed by two more home games in late December with the Dr. Pepper Classic (Dec. 28-29) at McKenzie Arena.

The Southern Conference opener is also at home as the Mocs face defending conference champion Davidson (Sat. Dec. 1).

“We are ready to redeem ourselves from last season (11-22), our players have worked hard during the summer and are very focused on what need to be done to win,” Shulman stated.

“We have left all that negativity from last season behind us and are ready to move forward.”

Shulman knows the importance of a good year in this his ninth season as Mocs head coach.

“We did a poor job last year and are asking for the fans to give us another shot,” said Shulman. “We will earn back your trust and the players and coaches are excited about the upcoming season.’”

Mocs fans will get their first look at the Mocs on Nov.6 with the Blue-Gold game with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Shulman on the Schedule 

From historic Allen Fieldhouse in Kansas to the House Pete (Maravich) Built at LSU and a game in Atlanta with Georgia Tech, the Mocs have a top level non-conference D-I schedule.

“It’s great to be able to one year play the eventual national champions in Kentucky, followed by a trip to NCAA runner-up Kansas and play in such a great arena as Allen Fieldhouse,” Shulman stated.

“Two of our freshman – Casey Jones (New Orleans) and Gee McGhee (Baton Rouge) are from Louisiana so this is a great trip for them to be able to play at LSU.”

LSU on a Tuesday Night: Junior Z Mason looks forward to playing at LSU in basketball on a Tuesday night and has also played football in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night in 2010 .. As a tight end for Ole Miss, the Rebs lost to No.5 LSU 43-36 berfore 92,000+ fans.

"The crowd was really into the game and it was so loud in Tiger Stadium," said Mason who trasnferred to UTC after the 2010-11 season.

Mason had his right knee scoped in May and is now about 75% healthy.

"We have to get over the hump and win the close games this year after coming up short in the close ones last season."

CBE Classic

“I think we made a good 3-for-1 trade in playing at Kansas in exchange for three straight home games (Nov. 18-20) with Southeast Missouri, Troy State and Louisiana Tech (WAC runner-up) as part of the CBE Classic.”

 SoCon Opener- Dec. 1

 “Having defending champs Davidson (25-7) at home to open the conference schedule is important and should draw a good crowd.”

 Three More at Home Before Christmas

 “Eastern Kentucky is here on Dec.8 and then we host a real tough Mercer squad (Dec. 16) who was 27-11 and has four of five starters returning, followed by a noon game with Reinhardt on Dec. 21 before taking a short break for Christmas.”

Dr. Pepper Classic (Dec. 28-29)

“We face High Point (N.C.) in the opener and then either Utah Valley State who played here last year or Austin Peay on the second night.”

January Schedule

The Mocs are on the road for six of eight games in January, including at Georgia Tech (Jan.2). SoCon home games are with Appalachian State (Jan.17) and Western Carolina (Jan. 19).

In February, the Mocs are home for six of 10 SoCon games.

 SoCon Championship; March 8-11 in Asheville, N.C.

Shulman's Recovery: Coach John Shulman suffered a broken right jaw on July 5 when he was hit at a youth baseball tournament in Lookout Valley when two players were playing catch and an overthrown ball hit Shulman... he has his jaw wired shut, but says everything happens for a reason.

"All in all, it has been a really good month ... I have lost 16-17 pounds ... I don't yell at the players ... the ball could have hit my son ... a few inches higher and the ball strikes me in the temple or the eye ...

"This last month has been a time to think, listen, shut up and reflect."

Shulman visits the doctor on Friday and could have wires taken out next week.

 

 Chattanooga Men’s Basketball

2012-13 Schedule

 Date                    Opponent                                 Site                                     Time (ET)

NOV. 6                 Blue-Gold Game                      McKenzie Arena             7 p.m.

Nov. 12               Tennessee Temple                 McKenzie Arena             7 p.m.

Nov. 15               (1) Kansas                  Lawrence, Kan., TBA         

Nov. 18-20         CBE Classic Chattanooga Reg.    McKenzie Arena (all TBA times)   

      18                  (1) Southeast Missouri                              

      18                  (1) Louisiana Tech vs. Troy                       

      19                  (1) Louisiana Tech vs. Southeast Missouri 

      19                  (1) Troy                  

      20                  (1) Southeast Missouri vs. Troy

      20                  (1) Louisiana Tech                  

Nov. 24               @Kennesaw State               Kennesaw, Ga.                  TBA

Dec. 1                 *Davidson (DH)                        McKenzie Arena                  7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8                 Eastern Kentucky                   McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Dec. 11               @LSU                                      Baton Rouge, La.                  TBA

Dec. 16               Mercer                                    McKenzie Arena                  TBA

Dec. 21               Reinhardt                               McKenzie Arena                  Noon

Dec. 28-29         DR PEPPER CLASSIC    McKenzie Arena                  4:30/7 p.m.

      28                  Austin Peay vs. Utah Valley State,   4:30 p.m.

      28                  High Point                        7 p.m.

      29                  Consolation Game         4:30 p.m.

      29                  Championship Game    7 p.m.

Jan. 2                  @Georgia Tech                       Atlanta, Ga.                  TBA

Jan. 5                 *@Samford                              Birmingham, Ala.                  TBA

Jan. 10               *@The Citadel                       Charleston, S.C.                  TBA

Jan. 12                *@College of Charleston    Charleston, S.C.                  TBA

Jan. 17                *Appalachian State              McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Jan. 19                *Western Carolina               McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Jan. 24                *@Elon                                    Elon, N.C.                  TBA

Jan. 26               *@UNCG                                 Greensboro, N.C.                  TBA

Feb. 2                  *@Georgia Southern             Statesboro, Ga.                  TBA

Feb. 7                  *The Citadel                              McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Feb. 9                  *College of Charleston (DH)  McKenzie Arena                  7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11               *Samford (DH)                        McKenzie Arena    7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14                *Furman                                   McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Feb. 16               *@Wofford                              Spartanburg, S.C.                  TBA

Feb. 21                *UNCG                                       McKenzie Arena                  7 p.m.

Feb. 23               *Elon (DH)                                 McKenzie Arena    7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28               *@Western Carolina             Cullowhee, N.C.                  TBA

March 2               *@Appalachian State (DH-Lady Mocs)  Boone, N.C. 

March 8-11                  Southern Conference Championship                  Asheville, N.C.

March 19-20                  First Four                  Dayton, Ohio         

March 21-24                  NCAA Second/Third Rounds

March 28-31                  NCAA Regional Finals

Apr. 6-8                  NCAA Final Four                  Atlanta, Ga.

*SoCon Game

(1) CBE Classic; Campus Sites/Chattanooga, Tenn.

(2) Dr Pepper Classic; Chattanooga, Tenn.

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net