Dec. 27, 2009

Halton Arena -

Game Notes/Stats in PDF Format

The Charlotte 49ers (9-2), winners of seven of eight, open their final non-conference homestand, Tuesday at 7:30 vs. Mercer (WBCN Radio, 1660 AM - Matt Swierad). The game starts a two-game homestand that includes a Jan. 2 tip-off vs. Georgia Tech (7:00; FOX SportsSouth). Charlotte is unbeaten at home (4-0) with double-digit victories in each of the four victories.

At 9-2, the 49ers are off to one their best starts under head coach Bobby Lutz and their recent seven-game win streak is one of the 49ers' longest under Lutz. The 49ers started the 2004-05 season with a 12-2 record, following a Lutz-best 9-game win streak after a 2-2 start. That is only season under Lutz that the 49ers have completed December with just two losses.

Charlotte (9-2 ) v. Mercer (4-7):
This is the 49ers first-ever meeting against Mercer. The Bears are 0-4 in "true" road games, 2-4 overall on the road. At 4-7, the Bears have lost to the likes of Providence, Florida State, Vanderbilt and Alabama.

Series vs. Mercer:
First Meeting

The Coach:
Bobby Lutz, Charlotte (all-time winningest coach)
at Charlotte: 208-147 (12th year)
Win #200 - Nov. 13 2009, 86-70 vs. UNC Asheville
Career: 389-238 (21st year)

RECEIVING VOTES:
Charlotte began receiving votes in the AP/ESPN/USA Today polls, Dec. 7, following its 22-point victory at #20/#18 Louisville.

Date	AP	ESPN/USA Today
Dec. 28 	TBA	TBA
Dec. 21	29/T35	16/T35
Dec. 14	24/T36	14/T37
Dec. 7	18/T36	7/T38

OFFENSE:
Charlotte is averaging 77.2 points while shooting .441 from the field, which are among the best offensive numbers the 49ers have put up under head coach Bobby Lutz. The highest scoring average under Lutz is 79.1 (2003-04) and in each of the three seasons that the 49ers have averaged over 75.0 points per game, they have reached the NCAA Tournament. Of note, though, after scoring 80 or more points in six straight games, Charlotte has scored under 60 in the last two.

DEFENSE:
Six of the last seven opponents have shot under 38%. Overall, opponents are shooting .391. Only two opponents (Duke; ODU) have scored over 75 points, but Charlotte has lost both of those games. Overall opponents are scoring 68.8 points per game. In 49ers wins, opponents are avering 63.9 points while shooting just .359.

SEASON'S GREETINGS:
Charlotte is 5-1 in December this year and was a perfect 4-0 last December (including road wins at Mississippi State and Southern Illinois). That gives Charlotte a 9-1 mark over the last two Decembers.

Shooter's Touch:
Over the last five games, forward Chris Braswell is shooting .676 (23-34). Last 4: Shamari Spears is shooting .535 (23-of-43); Charles Dewhurst 857 (6-7). Last 3: An'Juan Wilderness .800 (8-10).

ROAD WARRIORS:
Charlotte is 5-2 on the road including a 3-2 mark in "true" road games, with wins at Hofstra, #20/#18 Louisville and Winthrop. Last year, Charlotte was 2-14 on the road.

NEW BLOOD:
Several newcomers have played prominent roles for the 49ers this season, led by junior scoring leader Shamari Spears, who is averaging 17.3 points while shooting .545 from the field. Freshman Chris Braswell leads the 49ers in rebounding (8.4/gm) and has already posted four double-doubles, including a 21-point; 14-rebound outpouring at #20/#18 Louisville. The top eight single-game scoring performances belong to newcomers, including Spears' four 20+ outings, 20-point outings from red-shirt freshman Shamarr Bowden (21 vs. UNC Asheville), freshman Chris Braswell (21 points at #20/#18 Louisville), and sophomore Derrio Green (20 points at #20/#18 Louisville) as well as Green's 18-point outing vs. Yale.

20 FOUR:
Charlotte has had four players score 20 or more points, this season -- and all four are newcomers to the team: Shamari Spears (20+ in 4 straight games), Shamarr Bowden (21 in debut), Chris Braswell (21 at #20/#18 Louisville) and Derrio Green (20 at #20/#18 Louisville).

TOP 25 WINS:
Charlotte's 22-point victory over #20/#18 Louisville is the largest margin of victory for head coach Bobby Lutz over a nationally-ranked opponent. It also marks the third straight year that the 49ers have posted a top 25 win, a first for the 49ers under Lutz:
Top 25 wins in three straight seasons:
2009-10: 87-65 at #20/#18 Louisville
2008-09: 65-60 vs. #16/#17 Xavier
2007-08: 82-72 at #18/#19 Clemson

Sked Strength (AP/ESPN USA Today polls listed):
Charlotte will play five teams that were concensus preseason top 25 teams (#9/#8 Duke, #10/#11Tennessee, #19/#23 Louisville, #21/#22 Dayton and #22/#20 Georgia Tech). Two other foes: Xavier and Old Dominion were receiving votes in the preseason polls. Charlotte is 1-1 thus far vs. top 25 opponents (W, 87-65 vs. Louisville; L, 59-101 at Duke). The next nationally-ranked foe: RV/#22 Georgia Tech, Jan. 2.

DOUBLE-UP:
Freshman Chris Braswell is second all-time with four double-doubles in his rookie season. Of note, former standouts Curtis Withers (2003 Conference USA all-Rookie Team), Rodney White (2001 ESPN.com National Freshman of the Year; 2001 C-USA Freshman of the Year) and Cedric Maxwell all had three double-doubles in their first seasons. The record for a freshman is 15 (Jarvis Lang, 1990-91). Clinton Hinton had seven double-doubles as a freshman in 1984-85, 2nd on the list.

STREAK:
Charlotte's seven-game win streak is the 49ers fifth of 7 or more under Lutz. The last came in 2004-05, going 9-0 to jump to a 12-2 start and 7-0 in February. They won 7 straight in 2001-02 and 8 straight in Lutz's first season of 1998-99. Each of those seasons were NCAA seasons.