The 2014-15 version of Chattanooga men’s basketball has athleticism, length, height, talent, coach ability and the will to win.
UTC’s CHAOS 2 begins Friday night as the Chattanooga men’s basketball team opens the 2014-15 season against Hiwassee at 5:30 p.m.
The UTC women will play Villanova at 7:30 p.m.
“I feel good about this team and I have told our guys that we have one chance to have a special season,” said coach Wade Monday at the Chattanooga Quarterback Club luncheon.
“Our guys worked hard during the summer months in the weight room and had a successful trip to the Bahamas in August (won all three games).
Coach Wade feels this team is better than a year ago in the transition game and in the half-court game.
“We missed a lot of opportunities to score points in transition a year ago and we will be better this year at scoring those points. We are light years better now in our half-court defense with better athletes and players with a lot of length,” Coach Wade stated.
“We plan to hang our hat on our man-to-man half court pressure and by the end of the season we will be using 12 different full court presses.”
He compared his full court defensive repertoire to a good baseball pitcher.
“A winning pitcher must change up his pitches and not just feed the batter fast balls consistently, but toss in a curve and changeup on occasion.”
A Look at the 2014-15 Roster
“We are like Noah’s Ark … We need two of everything … we need one more big kid and one more player to really be able to hound the ball.”
Coach Wade has five scholarships available for next season and plans to sign four players this Wednesday.
Point Guards
* Greg Pryor … So. 6-1, 195 … Guard … started all 33 games as a true freshman last season … 5.5 ppg, 2.0 assists in 20 minutes a game … 80.6 FT% …
Coach Wade: “Greg is the most improved player … has worked the hardest … he is going to have a great season … quiet, blue collar type player … ton of talent at pt. guard.”
* Ronrico White … Sr., 6-3, 170 … Guard … played regularly in 21 games … 10.8 ppg … 82.9 FT%
Hip injury last year kept him out of several games
Coach Wade: “At the end of the game, I want the ball in Rico’s hands …. He will make something happen.”
* K.J. Bates: Fr., 6-1, 175 … Guard … Walk-on from Memphis (Arlington HS) … will help defensively.
Coach Wade: “K.J. gives us depth at point guard … he’s a winner ... in high school he helped the football and basketball teams to playoffs after several years of not being in the post season.”
Off Guard
* Tre Mclean … So., 6-5, 195 … Guard … Redshirt sophomore … Transfer from Queens Univ. (Charlotte, N.C.) … 5 ppg, 5 rbg, 1.4 assists at Queens two years ago … SoCon Honor Roll at UTC last year.
Coach Wade: “At 6-5, he has a 7-2 wing span which is huge … understands our half-court defense … shoots well”
* Casey Jones … Jr., 6-5, 200 … All SoCon a year ago … started all 33 games … 12.2 ppg, 6.2 rbpg, 1.0 blocks … 40 steals
Coach Wade: “Casey can hit the 3 … can open up things by driving the lane … hit 53% from the field.”
* Alex Bran … Jr. 6-1, 180 … 3.3 ppg in 11 minutes per game … career high of 13 vs. Montreat.
Coach Wade: Alex is shooting the ball well this fall.”
* Eric Robertson … Jr., 6-4, 200 … 4.9 ppg in 33 games … led team in 3-pt FG% (41.3%)
Coach Wade: He made a 4.0 in the classroom last semester and can use his smarts on defense … has improved in his half court defensive game.”
* Shaq Preston … Fr., 6-3, 190 … 18 ppg, 4 rbpg 2 assists a year ago at East Jefferson HS (New Orleans)
Coach Wade: “Shaq can guard the ball at the point of attack … 6-7 wing span on a 6-3 frame … good slasher … we could convert him to a point guard maybe”
Forwards
* Chuck Ester … So., 6-7, 220 … transfer from East Mississippi CC and has three years of eligibility … 8.4 ppg, 5.7 rbpg … led East Miss. to Juco Region title last year
Coach Wade: “We hit the lottery with this kid … we struck gold … very coachable … a pleasant surprise …. Best finisher in the open floor …. his future is through the roof”
* Marty Bareika … Sr., 6-5, 215 … 9.4 ppg … led team with 57 3s …
Coach Wade: “Marty was recruited as a point guard, but now he is playing the 4 position … amazing how he can make the 3s with people in his face.”
* Duke Ethridge … Jr., 6-6, 225 … 2nd team Junior College All-American at South Ga. Technical … 19 ppg, 9 rbpg … 2014 GCAA Player of the Year …
Coach Wade: “Duke is like a freight train … our best rebounder … mixes it up in the paint, but can make the 3 … by January, we will have a real good player.”
Center
* Justin Tuoyo … So., 6-10, 220 … Redshirt Soph. transfer from VCU and redshirted last season …
Coach Wade: “Justin is going to be really good … He can affect the game in so many ways … he can be the premier shot blocker in the nation.”
*Lance Stokes … Sr., 6-7, 225 … 3.9 ppg, 3.7 rbpg in 32 games … 51.3 FG% … dad has Super Bowl ring with the Washington Redskins … will play in the post this season.
Coach Wade: “Lance doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does … a defensive anchor for us and an unselfish player.”
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net