In terms of conference tournament seeding, this game is as big as it gets for Appalachian. Chattanooga has already been eliminated from bye contention, while Appalachian needs a win tonight to keep their slim hopes alive. A Mountaineer loss assures a game on the tournament’s first day. Along with Appalachian needing a win, the teams they are chasing, Elon and Samford face tough games this evening on the road. Samford travels to SoCon South leader Davidson where they are a 17.5 point underdog, while Elon visits Wofford, who is favored by nine points. Elon losing is as important to the Mountaineers as winning themselves tonight.

Appalachian held a double digit lead in the second half at Chattanooga earlier this season but allowed the Mocs to slowly climb back into the game before a key possession by the Mountaineers with under a minute to go allowed the Mocs to score the go ahead basket.