Mocs Basketball Coach Matt McCall Wins SoCon Coach of the Year Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Justin Tuoyo, Tre’ McLean and Matt McCall are prominent in the Southern Conference postseason awards the league announced Tuesday. The Chattanooga Mocs grabbed two of the top mentions along with all-conference honors.

Tuoyo repeats as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, while McCall was the consensus Coach of the Year. McLean is first team All-SoCon media, while Tuoyo is second team media. The coaches tabbed McLean and Tuoyo on their all-conference list.

“Tuoyo’s length and size as a rim protector makes him so good,” coach Matt McCall shared. “Shot blocking is a timing thing. He has unbelievable timing to block shots.

“He makes up sometimes for mistakes we make on defense. His length and athleticism affects guys. They’re mindful of it driving to the basket.”

It’s the second straight Defensive Player of the Year award for Tuoyo and third consecutive for the Mocs with Z. Mason earning it in 2014.

On his own award, McCall deflected praise. “One thing I’ve always said, it’s never going to be about me, I was fortunate enough to be named Southern Conference Coach of the Year because of these players and our staff. It has nothing to with me.

“Ultimately, that’s the reason why. It’s because of our players and staff.”

McLean and Tuoyo are joined on the coaches all-conference list by T.J. Cromer and Ge’Lawn Guyn from ETSU, Stephen Croone (Furman), Stephon Jelks (Mercer), R.J. White (UNCG), Q.J. Peterson (VMI), Mike Brown (WCU) and Spencer Collins (Wofford).

While the coaches name one team of 10 student-athletes, the media lists three teams of five each. McLean earned first team honors with Croone, Guyn, Collins and Peterson. Tuoyo is on the second team with Cromer, Brown, Jelks and Torrion Brummitt (WCU). The third team is Derrick Henry (The Citadel), Diante Baldwin (UNCG), R.J. White (UNCG), Darius Jones-Gibson (Samford) and Magee.

“Tre’ impacts the game in so many ways,” he continued. “He’s so valuable to our team. His focus level is so important for our team. When he is locked in and focused on everything he has to do, our team is at a different level. And that’s a lot for him to shoulder. But that’s the truth.

“He’s earned that with his work ethic. He’s earned that with his approach all year long. He’s always continued to put this team first, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

The coaches and media agreed on the major awards. McCall was joined by Croone, a senior four-year starter for the Paladins who was named Player of the Year. The Terriers’ Fletcher Magee is Freshman of the Year. Magee headlines the All-Freshman team along with Wyatt Walker (Samford), Francis Alonso (UNCG), Zane Najdawi (The Citadel) and Matt Rafferty (Furman) on the media side, while Matt Rose (Samford) replaces Najdawi on the coaches tally.

It is the second time in three years the Mocs boast the Anton Foy Coach of the Year with Will Wade claiming it in his first season in 2014. McCall joins Murray Arnold (1982, 1983), Mack McCarthy (1986, 1992, 1993) and Wade in claiming the accolade.

The Mocs travel to Asheville, N.C., for the SoCon Championships March 4-7. The top seed in the event, they face the winner of Friday’s Samford-VMI first round contest on Saturday at Noon.