GETTING INSIDE
If Charlotte has shown a weakness during its 9-2 start, it is that the 49ers have a hard time handling physical teams.
Charlotte has been out-muscled only twice in their first 11 games, by Duke and Old Dominion. Those games also represent both 49ers’ losses and were huge margins as Duke rolled to a 101-59 victory on Nov. 17 and Old Dominion won in an 81-48 rout on Dec. 22.
That could mean problems for Charlotte at the end of its non-conference schedule as it finishes up by hosting Georgia Tech on Jan. 2 and visiting Tennessee on Jan. 6.
Nevertheless, Charlotte is shaping up as a potential contender in the Atlantic 10 because of the play of junior forward Shamari Spears. The transfer from Boston College has made as big of an impact as any newcomer in the conference, averaging 17.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Spears had 20 points against Duke, but was held to 12 against Old Dominion, partially because tendinitis in his right knee kept him from effectively maneuvering inside.
While Spears is the only Charlotte player scoring in double figures, the 49ers have eight players averaging at least 5.3 points.
Senior guard DiJuan Harris is scoring 9.7 and dishing out 5.3 assists a game, freshman forward Chris Braswell is averaging 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds, and sophomore guard Derrio Green has an 8.5 scoring average.
Charlotte opens conference action Jan. 9 by hosting St. Bonaventure.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Charlotte was totally dominated in an 81-48 loss at Old Dominion on Dec. 22, as the Monarchs held huge edges in field goal percentage (53.3-33.0), points in the paint (44-14), rebounds (47-26) and fast-break points (17-0).
• The loss to Old Dominion snapped Charlotte’s seven-game winning streak. That was the 49ers’ longest since going 7-0 in February, 2005.
January At A Glance: The schedule gets a lot tougher in January for Charlotte and will provide a better read of whether its 9-2 is real or the product of playing primarily lesser opponents. The 49ers host Georgia Tech and visit Tennessee in their final two non-conference games, then host three-time defending Atlantic 10 regular-season champion Xavier in their second conference game.
Quote To Note: “From the start of the game, they imposed their will and we had no answer.”—Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz, on the loss at Old Dominion.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Charlotte has gotten off to a surprisingly strong start, including a blowout victory at Louisville, during a season that began with coach Bobby Lutz reportedly on the hot seat. Junior forward Shamari Spears, a transfer from Boston College, has given the 49ers a strong inside threat on a team that has developed a deep roster with plenty of scoring options.
Player Rotation: Usual starters—F Shamari Spears, F Chris Braswell, G DiJuan Harris, G Derrio Green, G Charles Dewhurst. Key subs—C Phil Jones, F An’Juan Wilderness, F K.J. Sherrill, F RaShad Coleman, G Ian Andersen, G Shamarr Bowden.
Game Review:
Charlotte 95, Gardner-Webb 66
Charlotte 57, Winthrop 47
Old Dominion 81, Charlotte 48
Game Preview:
vs. Mercer, Tuesday, Dec. 29
vs. Georgia Tech, Saturday, Jan. 2
at Tennessee, Wednesday, Jan. 6
vs. St. Bonaventure, Saturday, Jan. 9
at Xavier, Wednesday, Jan. 13
In Foucs: Charlotte has struggled against physical teams like Duke and Old Dominion, and will get another challenge when it hosts Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have a strong inside game led by junior forward Gani Lawal and freshman forward Derrick Favors.
Roster Report:
• F Shamari Spears was forced into becoming a perimeter player because of tendinitis in his right knee in an 81-48 loss at Old Dominion on Dec. 23. Spears barely practiced in the days leading up to the game and was ineffective trying to play inside because he was having a hard time pushing off the knee. He finished with 12 points in 24 minutes.
• G DiJuan Harris moved into eighth place on Charlotte’s all-time assists list with 389. The senior passed Henry Williams, who had 385.
• C Phil Jones is eight blocked shots away from becoming the fourth player in Charlotte history with 100.
