How Chattanooga’s overtime thriller became a defining moment in SoCon basketball history
On March 2, 1997, the Chattanooga Mocs edged Marshall 71–70 in overtime to capture the SoCon Tournament championship — a victory that not only secured an NCAA Tournament berth but also launched a legendary run to the Sweet Sixteen.
Setting the Stage
The Mocs entered the SoCon Tournament as the No. 1 seed after a dominant regular season. Their final regular-season conference game on February 22, 1997, foreshadowed what was to come. Facing Marshall at home, Chattanooga rolled to a 92–72 victory behind 21 points from Johnny Taylor and 20 from Willie Young. That win clinched the regular-season crown and gave the Mocs momentum heading into the postseason.
Just a week later, the same two teams met again — this time with the SoCon’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line. The stage was set for a classic, and the Mocs and Thundering Herd delivered a game that would live on in SoCon basketball history.
The Championship Clash
From the opening tip, the SoCon title game was a tense, physical battle. Both teams traded baskets and defensive stops, with neither side able to pull away. As regulation wound down, the score stood tied at 64. With less than ten seconds remaining, Marshall had the ball and a chance to win. Guard Sidney Coles pulled up from the left elbow, but his shot rimmed out as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the drama only intensified. Marshall led by one with 30 seconds to play when Johnny Taylor — the SoCon Player of the Year — made a defensive play that would change the game. Guarding the Thundering Herd’s point guard, Taylor forced a traveling violation with 27.9 seconds left, giving Chattanooga one final chance.
After a timeout, the Mocs drew up a play for Taylor. He took the ball to the left wing and fired an off-balance jumper. The shot missed, but forward Chris Mims was in perfect position.
“It tipped the rim, bounded right in my hands, and I thought it was going to miss it,” Mims recalled. “I put it back up, it hit the top of the square and dropped right through the net. We went berserk — it was awesome.”
RelatedPosts
The basket gave Chattanooga a 71–70 lead, and when the final buzzer sounded, the Mocs had captured their eighth SoCon Tournament championship.
The Road to the Sweet Sixteen
The win secured Chattanooga’s fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years — a remarkable run of consistency that underscored the program’s dominance in SoCon basketball history. The Mocs gathered to watch the NCAA selection show, where they learned they would be the No. 14 seed in the Southeast Region, facing No. 3 seed Georgia.
What followed was a Cinderella story for the ages. Chattanooga upset Georgia, then stunned No. 6 seed Illinois to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Their run ended against Providence, but the Mocs had already made history. They finished the season 24–11 and remain the last No. 14 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen — a feat matched only by Cleveland State in 1986.
Legacy and Aftermath
The 1996–97 Mocs were more than just a great team; they were a symbol of what makes SoCon basketball history so compelling. Their combination of talent, teamwork, and toughness allowed them to compete with — and defeat — some of the nation’s top programs.
Johnny Taylor’s success extended beyond college. On June 25, 1997, he was selected 17th overall by the Orlando Magic, becoming the highest NBA draft pick in school history. His selection was a fitting conclusion to a season defined by excellence.
The Point After
March 2, 1997, stands as one of the defining moments in SoCon basketball history. The Chattanooga Mocs’ 71–70 overtime victory over Marshall was more than a championship win — it was the spark that ignited a historic NCAA Tournament run and cemented the Mocs’ place among the conference’s all-time greats.
