The Chattanooga Mocs are back in action Friday and Saturday at the Emerald Coast Classic. They take on Alabama State in first round action Friday at 2:30 p.m., Eastern time, in Raider Arena on the campus of NW Florida in Niceville. That result dictates the next matchup against either Chicago State or old friend Jacksonville State Saturday (11 am or 1:30 pm).

Chattanooga got a big addition to the roster Monday night with news from Indianapolis. The NCAA approved the waiver appeal for Cleveland State transfer Stefan Kenic. The junior forward is immediately eligible. He started 59 of 66 games in his two seasons with the Vikings averaging 9.3 points per game.

“We’re excited for Stef,” Coach Lamont Paris shared. “He's a really high-character guy who just wants to compete and be good at basketball while enjoying the college experience.

“We’re not putting any expectations on him as a player heading into this weekend. He hasn’t played a minute of college basketball this season. We are really happy for him and for our group. I don’t like the word deserved, but the NCAA made the right decision, and we’re glad to have him available this year.”

The Mocs are 3-3 on the season after Monday's battle with #17 Tennessee in Knoxville. The defense limited the Vols to just 58 points, but the offense mustered just 46 in the 12-point loss which is the narrowest margin of victory for our Knoxville campus this season.

David Jean-Baptiste leads the way averaging 15.2 points per game followed closely by Matt Ryan’s 14.3 per contest. Rod Johnson (6.7 rpg) and Ramon Vila (6.0) top the work on the glass.

Alabama State enters at 0-5 with a brutal stretch to open the season. ASU faced road games against three ranked opponents - No. 7 Gonzaga (64-95), No. 17 Tennessee (41-76) and No. 19 VCU (62-78) - and another receiving votes in Houston (56-84). The other loss was 59-50 at Missouri State.

The Hornets are led by Tobi Ewuosho. He’s off to a fantastic start especially considering the gauntlet they’ve faced. Ewuosho averages 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game shooting 52.4 percent, 50.0 percent from three and 81.8 percent (27-33) at the free throw line. He’s accounted for nearly 28 percent of the Hornets offensive output.

Chicago State is 3-4 and Jacksonville State 1-3. Should the Mocs and Cougars match up, it will be for the first time. If it's JSU, it'll be for the 24th time and fourth in the last four years.