Mocs ready to host Austin Peay tonight

A new television commercial for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball is running on ESPN networks enticing fans to watch the Mocs play.

UTC fans will get their first chance tonight.

A new introductory video and other fresh experience enhancements will be unveiled when the Mocs (0-1) face Austin Peay (1-0) at 7 in McKenzie Arena.

It's UTC's home-opener, their first chance to make a first-impression on fans at home and prove that the team folks saw play on television Friday night wasn't the real 2010-11 Mocs.

"It's our first home game, and we want to mark our territory," said point guard Keegan Bell who scored 20 points in UTC's 82-62 loss at Tennessee on Friday.

"A lot people come out to the first game to see how you're going to be and what you're going to do," he added. "It's exciting to come in here and see fans in the stands and it's a lot of fun. Home-openers are special."

The change of scenery from orange and white to blue and gold could do the Mocs some good. They never had much of a chance Friday night.

"It's good to be at home after having 20,000 people in orange ripping you," Shulman said. "I probably wish Austin Peay wasn't our opponent because they are good.

"It's nice to have a home game, and it would be great to play well."

The Mocs and Govs will play twice this season with the other matchup coming Jan. 3 in Clarksville, Tenn., right before the Mocs start the heart of its Southern Conferece schedule. The teams had been involved in a four-team series before it fell through leaving both UTC and Austin Peay in search of games.

"It happened late and I'm disappointed that it fell through," Shulman said. "Now I know why they needed games. Nobody wants to play them."

Austin Peay won it's season-opener, 64-62 at St. Louis on Friday when Tyshawn Edmondson hit two free throws with 4.2 seconds to play. Edmondson led the Govs with 17 points.

"They've got experience and they brought in three jucos who are very talented," Shulman said. "They could compete in the upper echelon of our league.

"This is a high-level game for us to play coming off the loss at Tennessee."

The Mocs were humbled in Thompson-Boling Arena while allowing the Vols to score 36 points in the paint and 21 from the free throw line.

"Let's just get better. Let's put one foot in front of the other and just get better," Shulman said. "Let's not sprint yet."

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