Mocs Hoping Jake Stephens Can Return For SoCon Tournament

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Mocs basketball team staggered down the stretch dropping their final three games of the regular season. Now it’s time to regroup for the SoCon tournament, and who knows, Chattanooga might finally see their best player back in action.

Well, well, well. Look who’s back at practice. The Big Kahuna. Jake Stephens. He hasn’t played since January 18th with a hand injury. So will he play in Asheville?
Said head coach Dan Earl:”We’re still kind of determine as it gets closer to tournament time if he’s going to be able to go or not. There’s a couple different things at play. Certainly the health of his hand, but also how he’s doing conditioning wise. His legs.”
Said Stephens:”I feel good. Biggest thing is just trying to stay in shape because if they tell me I’m good to go, I want to be ready.”
Regardless if Stephens can play, the Mocs remain confident.
Said guard Jamal Johnson:”We are starting a brand new season right now. Zero-zero right now. New tournament. Win or go home, and we’re pumped up. Anything can happen in March.”
We saw that last year in Asheville with David Jean Baptiste’s shot to send UTC to the Big Dance.
Said Johnson:”That’s the definition of March Madness right there. That’s a great shot. Hopefully we can get back to the championship game, and hopefully we don’t have to win on a three point shot at the buzzer, but hopefuly we can win the championship for sure.”
Be a tough road for the Mocs. They’ll have to win four games in four days to repeat as conference champs.
Said Earl:”You know in many ways playing three games is better than playing four games, but I’ve seen a lot of college basketball. I’ve seen people win four games in four days and go to the NCAA Tournament.”

Mocs open against VMI on Friday night at 7:30.