Charlotte 49ers
Atlantic 10 (21-11, 8-8)
Few expected Charlotte to be a contender in the Atlantic 10. And in the end they were just a mid-table squad. However, the 49ers put together a strong non-conference slate and did get some quality wins in conference play. Most notable was a 71-67 win at Butler, which just happened to be in the middle of a long losing streak.
Big Wins: 1/9 La Salle (74-65), 2/2 Massachusetts (66-65), 2/13 at Butler (71-67)
Bad Losses: 1/26 at George Washington (54-82), 2/27 Dayton (67-88), 3/2 at St. Bonaventure (83-104)
Coach: Alan Major (3 seasons at Charlotte)
Why They Can Surprise:
The 49ers frontcourt has been the catalyst for their success this season. Chris Braswell does not even start most of the time, but the senior does play starters minutes. He is also the best scorer on the team and can stretch out the defense with his ability to hit the long ball. Even though Braswell spends some time on the perimeter, he is a tough player that helps Charlotte immensely on the glass. Freshmen Willie Clayton and Darion Clark are the usual starters up front. Both have developed into decent interior scorers and are getting better with experience. Clayton, at 6-7 and 236 pounds, is another tough rebounder. Charlotte’s advantage on the glass has made the difference in some close games and they will have to keep that going throughout March if they hope to have any postseason success.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The decline of the 49ers started with the suspension of DeMario Mayfield. Once the player this team was supposed to build around, the offense can become extremely stagnant without him. A season ending injury to forward J.T. Thompson did not help matters. Mayfield was not a great shooter, but he could create his shot. Now Coach Alan Major has to work with a handful of underclassmen who are inconsistent at best. Denzel Ingram has done an admirable job, but he is not going to score many points. Pierria Henry has stepped up his scoring output and is emerging as a great all-around player. He can get to the basket, help out on the glass, find open teammates and is a fine defender. What Henry is not though is a shooter. Neither is E. Victor Nickerson or Terrence Williams. While the frontcourt can create open looks on the perimeter, there is nobody who can consistently knock down those shots. The offense can still make things happen when they run through the frontcourt. However, especially with such a young group, it can become quite easy for Charlotte to be one dimensional offensively and that is not going to win them any postseason games.
Probable Starters:
Denzel Ingram, Freshman, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 1.5 apg
Pierria Henry, Sophomore, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 3.7 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 spg
E. Victor Nickerson, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 ppg, 1.2 apg
Darion Clark, Freshman, Forward, 6.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Willie Clayton, Freshman, Forward, 8.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Chris Braswell, Senior, Forward, 11.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Terrence Williams, Sophomore, Guard, 7.5 ppg, 1.6 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.0 159th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.4 (194, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.3 (119, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.1 (94, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 3.5 (341, 15)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: n/a
Free-Throw Percentage: 65.0 (293, 15)
Rebound Margin: 3.8 (69, 5)
Assists Per Game: 11.7 (249, 14)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.4 (313, 14)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
2008 NIT First Round loss to Nebraska
2005 NCAA Round of 64 loss North Carolina State
2004 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas Tech
2002 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame
2001 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee
2001 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Illinois
*all team stats through 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
