2012-13 CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL 2012-13 OUTLOOK IN THE POST Player HT WT CL Drazen Zlovaric 6-9 220 Sr. Leading returning scorer & rebounder Z. Mason 6-5 238 Jr. Flashes of dominant post presence in 2011-12 Jared Bryant 6-7 240 So. Top returning reserve at the 5 Lance Stokes 6-6 217 So. Made seven starts last season at the 3 & 4 Sam Watson 6-7 245 RJr. Redshirted 2011-12 with shoulder ailment Drew Baker 6-7 214 RJr. Made two starts with 15 appearances last year
Ro Robertson combo, complements Mason’s.
“Drew has been out with a knee so he’s been limited in the preseason. We’re excited to have Sam Watson W Watson, a former walk-on, and Baker, a current back. He’s as strong as an ox, has good basketball on one, add depth. Watson is similar to Hampton in knowledge. He’s kind of like Casey and Marty. At the th that he is as responsible and reliable a student- end of a game I’m not sure what their stats will look at athlete as the Mocs possess. like, but he helps you win games. “O “Out two five men are the same as last year. Drazen w was very productive inside. He just wants to do w whatever will help the team. “H “He didn’t tough the ball enough last year. We’re go going to make sure that happens this year. He ha has dedicated his life to this basketball team. He de deserves a great senior year.
The most experienced area on the floor floor is in the paint for the Mocs. All six fours and fives have started at least one game for Shulman. Most of the preseason attention immediately goes to Drazen Zlovaric (10.2, 6.4) and Z. Mason (5.6, 5.6). But sophomores Jared Bryant (3.2, 2.7) and Lance Stokes (2.2, 1.2) contributed as freshmen last season. Former walk-on Sam Watson (11 career starts) redshirted in 2011-12, while Drew Baker (1.9, 1.7) showed he adds viable depth in the post. Zlovaric was the starting five man last season. He was the top scoring option in the post at 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He led the team shooting 54.9 percent. The offseason was a good one for Zlovaric. He added a lot of muscle and spent the summer working out in Chattanooga instead of going home to his native Serbia. Look for that sacrifice to provide big dividends for the talented post. Z. Mason came to the Mocs from the Ole Miss football team. He was a highly sought after basketball recruit, but as the No. 2 tight end in the country, his decision to play SEC football was not a shock. Nor was his decision to come back to his first love.
“J “Jared served his year of apprenticeship as a frfreshman. He got great time and opportunity and is what is great about freshmen...they become so sophomores. “H “He is very skilled inside and can really help us. He un understands the rigors of college basketball and w what it takes to be successful in our league.” So what does this all add up to? Z. Mason’s 2011-12 campaign was derailed by a knee injury just as it was taking off.
“Overall, we’ve got a chance to be good. This is a great group of kids who are working hard every SHULMAN’S POST POSITION: day, selflessly for each other. There’s not much more “When you start talking about the frontcourt, you you can ask for than that. “ are talking about where our experience is. And that’s with losing a starter (four) but we’ve got a guy ready to take that spot in Z. Mason. “Finally in January, he got into basketball shape. He had a double-double against Wofford and a double-double against Elon but dislocated his knee. He was pretty much out for the season after that. “He had a great summer and is truly a basketball player. He can score that ball inside and wants to take on that load as the low-post, go-to guy. We’re going to make sure he gets that ball.
“We’ve swung Lance Stokes from a three to a four He shook off the rust and looked to be making and he has really looked good. He is as competitive big strides in mid-January when a knee injury de- and enthusiastic as anyone we have in practice railed his season. Now in basketball shape, he has right now. the potential for the proverbial “break out” season. “If you give a most improved award for our team Stokes, Watson and Baker will battle for time through October, it would go to Lance. He’s been a there as well. Stokes had the greatest physical factor in our practice, when we scrimmage...really transformation on the team now weighing close on and off the floor.” to 220 lbs., all muscle. His game, like the McGhee/
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Jared Bryant is one of two returning fives for the Mocs.
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