Know Thy Opponent: Chattanooga Mocs

The Hoosiers open the season Monday evening at Assembly Hall against the Chattanooga Mocs. Led by fourth-year coach John Shulman, the Mocs return two starters from last season’s 15-18 team.

Chattanooga is a member of the Southern Conference and they’re picked to finish fourth in the North division of that conference. Western Carolina, another IU non-conference opponent, was picked as the third place team in the North division.

Nicchaeus Doaks averaged 10.2 points per game a season ago and figures to be the go-to-guy for Chattanooga. Their other returning starter is Khalil Hartwell, a 6-8 forward who averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season.

Stephen McDowell, a 5-11 point guard transfer from South Carolina, is their top newcomer. McDowell is an Indianapolis native who started his prep career at Lawrence North before transferring to Cedar Grove in Georgia for his final two seasons. McDowell then attended the IMG Basketball Academy prep school before attending South Carolina.

Other notable newcomers to keep an eye on: swingman Kevin Goffney, point guard Keyron Sheard and center Qavotstaraj Waddell.

Chattanooga’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2005. The 15th-seeded Mocs fell 70-54 to Wake Forest in the first round. Chattanooga is 3-9 all-time in the Big Dance.

Filed to: Chattanooga