Mocs Ready to Hoop it Up Again in NIT Tournament

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs missed out on the Big Dance, but they hope to taste a little madness after accepting a bid to the NIT tournament.
UTC will hit the road against MTSU on Tuesday for their first NIT game in 40 years.

No big selection show for the NIT tournament, so how did UTC learn the details of their game with MTSU?
Said head coach Dan Earl:”To be honest with you. Social media. That’s the new day and age. I just saw it pop up there.”
Said guard Trey Bonham:”Yeah I was actually asleep, and my dad texted me and said put me in for some tickets to Murfreesboro.”
To still be playing basketball in March is always a good thing.
Said guard Bash Wieland:”I mean I know we didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, but the NIT. That’s something I’ve watched on TV growing up, so it’s a blessing to be able to try and go out there and compete.”
Said Earl:”We have a mature enough group. I think they are excited to play. Again it’s getting over that disappointment from not making the tournament. Once you get passed that, there’s a lot to play for.”
Chattanooga will be on the road in Murfreesboro, but the Mocs are currently riding a school record 8 game road winning streak.
Said Bonham:”We are confident going anywhere on the road or at home. Maybe it’s a good thing we didn’t host a game, and we are playing at MTSU.”
Mocs center Frank Champion was hurt and didn’t play in the SoCon tournament.
So what’s his status for the NIT coach?
Said Earl:”We are still trying to figure out the day-to-day. I know that’s the politically correct answer. If he’s able to go, I know he will, but we want to make sure he’s healthy and feeling good about everything as well.”

Mocs and MTSU tip at 8pm on Tuesday.