SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico. --- The gauntlet of tough games continue for the Chattanooga men’s basketball team on Thursday as the Mocs take on No. 13 ranked Memphis (2-0)in a first round contest of the 2008 O’Reilly Auto Parts/ESPNU Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
The Mocs (0-2) come to San Juan just days after suffering a 103-75 loss at the hands of Big XII foe Missouri on Monday night and a 114-75 defeat to No. 14 Tennessee last Saturday night.
Despite the two losses, the Mocs have found bright spots as junior Ty Patterson has emerged as major scoring threat for UTC, averaging 17 points per game.
Freshman Jasper Williams has also proven himself worthy of playing time for John Shulman’s team, as the guard scored 14 points and dished out four assists against a tough Missouri squad Monday night.
This season’s tournament doesn’t mark the first time a John Shulman team has traveled to Isle of Enchantmen. During the 2005-06 season the Mocs participated in the San Juan Shootout and went 2-1, defeating Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and Mount St. Mary’s.
Memphis ventures to Puerto Rico with an unblemished 2-0 record after victories over Fairfield and UMass. The Tigers disposed of the Minutemen 80-58 Monday in its final tune-up before heading to San Juan.
In its two blowout wins the Tigers are averaging 85 points per game and have unveiled a new star to the college basketball world in Tyreke Evans. The freshman enters Thursday’s game leading Tiger High in scoring with 19 points per contest.
Tip-off for Thursday’s contest is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be aired nationally by ESPN2. The Mocs will then return to the court on Friday to take on either USC or Seton Hall.