CINCINNATI (OH) – Charlotte 49ers Preview

Previous Record (Conf)
11-20 (5-11)

Key Non-Conference Games
at Louisville (5 Dec), Georgia Tech (2 Jan), at Tennessee (6 Jan)

Projected Conference Record (Finish)
9-7 (8th)

Conference Home-and-Home Partners
Xavier, Richmond, George Washington

Outlook
Head coach Bobby Lutz has done less with more than any other coach in the Conference. Injuries played a part in Charlotte’s disastrous season last year, but it seems every year the 49ers are talented, undisciplined and inconsistent. Last year was no different when they beat Mississippi St on the road and both Dayton and Xavier at home. Lutz’s teams always have a handful of signature wins, but those are coupled with the same amount of inexplicable losses.

Lutz should have a nice blend of youth and experience to go along with one of the conference’s best point guards in Dijuan Harris. Boston College transfer Shamari Spears (6-6 245) should provide size underneath complementing shot-blocking center Phil Jones (6-10 260). Three-point specialist Ian Anderson will contend for the starting SG spot, but would be more suited to coming off the bench.

Lutz has enough talent on the roster to beat any A10 team on any given night. Unfortunately, most nights they beat themselves with poor shot selection. Too often his players mistake their green jerseys for a green light to launch triples from anywhere on the court and at any time during the shot clock. Despite making less than 31% of their attempts last season, Charlotte still jacked up 707 threes, more than a third of their shot attempts and fourth most in the conference.

Spotlight On
Freshmen shooting guard Shamarr Bowden (6-3 175) used a medical redshirt last year after fracturing his kneecap. A healthy and fully recovered Bowden would allow the 49ers to have a capable shooter (along with Anderson) on the floor at all times. Bowden has been battling a sore shoulder in the pre-season.

Best Case Scenario
Harris orchestrates a balanced and disciplined offense that is tough to defend. Lutz emphasizes an inside-out offense feeding Spears and Jones inside until they generate a good shot. Lutz molds the individual defensive strengths of his players into a collective and cohesive unit. Pigs fly.

Worst Case Scenario
The 49ers again shoot their way into a few upsets, but mostly they just shoot themselves in the foot and out of games.