November 22, 2008 | AP Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — K.C. Rivers scored a go-ahead layup with 43.2 seconds to help Clemson beat Charlotte 71-70 on Saturday night.

Rivers added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers (5-0), who led by as many as eight points early in the second half. Demontez Stitt scored 14 points for Clemson.

Clemson pulled ahead 50-42 with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game, but the 49ers (2-3) tied the score at 67 on Charlie Coley’s follow dunk with 1:01 remaining.

But Rivers’ layup with 43.2 seconds left put the Tigers back in the lead at 69-67.

Clemson then pulled ahead by four points on a pair of Stitt free throws with 16.4 seconds left, but Lamont Mack’s 3-pointer 10 seconds later cut Clemson’s margin to one point.

Ian Andersen scored a career-high 21 points for Charlotte (1-3). Mack scored 11 points and Phil Jones added 10.

BOONE, N.C. — Kellen Brand scored 23 points, Ryann Abraham hit four straight free throws in the final 12 seconds of the second overtime and Appalachian State outlasted Charlotte 87-84 on Wednesday night.

In a wild, sloppy game not decided until Javarris Barnett’s tying 3-pointer bounced off the rim at the buzzer, the Mountaineers (1-1) captured their home opener and gave the Southern Conference an early impressive non-conference win.

It was the second straight heartbreaking loss for the 49ers (1-2), who fell at home to Old Dominion on a late shot Sunday.

An’Juan Wilderness led Charlotte with 17 points and hit the tying shot at the end of regulation, but the 49ers couldn’t overcome foul trouble. Top scorer Lamont Mack was held to 11 points and fouled out with 4:43 left in regulation.

Isaac Butts added 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Mountaineers.

November 16, 2008 | AP Press

Charlotte, N.C. — Jonathan Adams hit a 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds to give Old Dominion a 69-68 victory against Charlotte on Sunday night in the Monarchs’ season opener.

Ben Finney, Darius James and Gerald Lee scored 14 points each for Old Dominion (1-1), which outrebounded the 49ers 39-23 en route to victory. Old Dominion fell behind with 6:20 left in the game, and didn’t regain the lead until Adams’ shot fell from the top of the key.

Finney’s 3-pointer closed Charlotte’s lead to 67-66 with 14.5 seconds left. DiJuan Harris, the Atlantic 10’s leader last season in turnover-to-assist ratio, missed one of two free throws for Charlotte (1-1), then turned the ball over at midcourt. That gave Old Dominion a final possession, trailing by two.

Harris’ runner from the baseline rimmed out as time expired for Charlotte.

November 14, 2008 | AP Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lamont Mack recorded his first career double-double to lead Charlotte to a 77-59 win over UNC-Greensboro. Mack scored 18 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener for both schools.

An’Juan Wilderness scored 15 for Charlotte (1-0), and Rashad Coleman chipped in with 14. Charlotte, which led throughout, scored 27 points off turnovers.

Landon Clement led UNCG with 13 points, including 3-for-6 shooting on 3-pointers. Landon Clement contributed 12 points for the Spartans. UNC-Greensboro (0-1) committed 21 turnovers and dropped to 0-9 in the all-time series.

Charlotte struggled on 3-pointers (4-for-18) but took 10 more foul shots than UNC-Greensboro (26-16). Mack scored 12 first-half points. Charlotte pushed the ball inside against the Spartans, who had two players making their debut as starters.

Location: Charlotte, N.C.

Enrollment: 22,254

Founded: 1946

Chancellor: Dr. Philip Dubois

Athletic Director: Judy Rose

Athletic Websites: http://charlotte49ers.cstv.com,  http://ninernation.net,  http://gmine.blogspot.com,  http://charlotte.rivals.com

Nickname: 49ers

Colors: Green and White

Arena: Halton Arena (Opened 1996)

Capacity: 9,105

Average Attendance: 7,309

Head Coach: Bobby Lutz 11th Year (20th Overall)

Overall Record: 369-217 (63% winning percentage)

Record at Charlotte: 188-25

2007-2008 Record: 20-14 (9-7) NIT First Round

Associate Head Coach: Rob Moxley

Assistants: Bobby Kummer, Chris Cheeks

ROSTERS

00 Javarris Barnett R-FR WG 6-6- 230 Charlotte, NC
*2 Charlie Coley SR F 6-7 217 Lake Worth, FL/Dodge City CC (KS)
*3 Dijuan Harris JR G 5-9 175 Charlotte, NC/Hillsborough JC (FL)
5 Gaby Ngoundjo SO PF 6-7 240 Little Rock, AR
11 Ian Andersen JR WG 6-4 200 Portland, OR
*15 Lamont Mack SR F 6-7 230 Chicago/Angelina College (TX)
*21 An’Juan Wilderness SO PF 6-6 215 Dunwoody, GA
22 RaShad Coleman JR G/F 6-5 190 Atlanta/Heat Academy(VA)/Brewton-Parker CC
30 Phil Jones R-SO C 6-10 260 Brooklyn, NY/Laurinburg (NC) Prep
31 Charles Dewhurst R-SO G/F 6-5 190 Charlotte, NC

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

Charlotte rebounded nicely under coach Bobby Lutz after only his second losing season in 10 years. The team won 20 games, returned to the postseason and scored big wins over Wake Forest, Clemson and eventual Elite 8 participant Davidson.

The turnaround earned Lutz, who had been on the hotseat, a cool five-year extension. Yet the school isn’t exactly overjoyed with two NIT invitations in three years since Charlotte joined the A-10. Fans and administrators want to return to the NCAA tournament, where Charlotte danced in five of Lutz’s first seven years, all as a member of the old Conference USA.

It was starting to look very much like this could be the year – until the loss of two key reserves. The shocking transfer of Mike Gerrity and a season-ending knee injury to freshman sharpshooter Shamarr Bowden leaves the Niners perilously thin in the backcourt. The team has just two legitimate guards left on the roster, only one of whom is a true point guard, and Charlotte is down to 10 scholarship players.

Charlotte can compensate with one of the best frontcourts in the league, including a fleet of versatile small forwards ready to help out in the backcourt. The team also returns an experienced roster with eight lettermen and four returning starters and it welcomes two talented newcomers. Lutz has more size and athleticism than at any time since the program’s glory days of C-USA.

The biggest challenge is to replace the shooting of top gun Leemire Goldwire. He took more than one-quarter of all the team’s shots and accounted for a whopping 47% of Charlotte’s 3-pointers, many in clutch situations and under intense defensive pressure.

Bowden might have supplied some of the firepower. The onetime Virginia Tech commitment hit 8 of 15 three-pointers in the first two games of Charlotte’s August trip to Canada. Without his services, Lutz may have to turn to junior Ian Anderson, a good shooter who’s also a defensive liability.

Then there’s the little matter of backup point guard. Dijuan Harris, a 5-9 junior, is one of the better floor generals in the A-10, but he can’t handle the ball 40 minutes a game.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Leemire Goldwire (18.6 ppg, 126 treys). Third Team A-10 selection was a classic shoot-you-in or shoot-you-out type of player, but Charlotte mostly lived by Goldwire’s gunnery instead of dying by it. Goldwire finished 3rd in the league in scoring – and first in level of difficulty. No player took, or made, more contested 3-point shots. Goldwire topped the 30-point mark six times and carried the Niners for long stretches. He was also a pesky defender, notching a league-leading 70 steals, many of which he converted into quick baskets.

Mike Gerrity (4.9 ppg, 91 assists, 38 turnovers). Junior point guard mysteriously quit after the team’s trip to Canada. In his only season at Charlotte, the Pepperdine transfer displayed good ball-handling and passing. He did not shoot well (39% FG, 5-17 3PG), however, or finish off drives against bigger defenders. When the pace slowed down late in a game, Gerrity was a liability because of mediocre defense and a reluctance to take open jumpers. Despite those limitations, his departure robs Lutz of valuable experience and depth at point guard. He and Harris composed the best one-two punch in the A-10.

Sean Phaler – Little-used juco was recruited as a shooter, but he hit just one trey all year.

RETURNING PLAYERS

Lamont Mack – The 6-8 juco emerged as a major weapon in his first season. He finished second on the team in scoring (12.8 ppg overall, 15.6 ppg in A-10 games) and second in rebounding (5.1 rpg), while shooting 36.4% on 3-pointers (41.1% in conference play).

Though not an explosive athlete, Mack handles the ball well enough to take defenders off the dribble, and he’s strong enough to play with his back to the basket. He’s almost impossible to contain, though, when he gets his jumper going. Mack gets good separation from defenders with a terrific jab step, has a high release point and deep range. In Charlotte’s comeback vs. UMass in the A-10 Tournament, Mack hit 5 treys, including a pair of late 25-foot daggers. He flourished in league play, topping the 20-point mark three times in the last 11 games.

Like most good scorers, Mack at time forces his offense (83 turnovers), but his biggest problems come at the defensive end. He has poor habits – he reaches too much and doesn’t always move his feet – and fouled out of five games. In 13 other games, he ended with four fouls and sat for extended periods. The Niners need him on the court for more than 27 minutes a game as a senior.

Charles Coley (8.7 ppg, 50.2% FG). Another juco transfer, Coley is far more athletic than Mack but not as polished offensively. He’s most effective in transition and likes to work the baseline, using his quickness and leaping ability to outmaneuver opponents. He’s also a good rebounder (6.2 rpg) and topnotch defender (46 blocks, 43 steals). Coley has shown hints of a decent faceup jumper and he could be a double-digit scorer in his final season, but Charlotte probably won’t run many sets for him. His points are likely to come by his high-energy play.

An’juan Wilderness (8.1 ppg, 48% FG, 4.8 rpg). Rugged 6-6 small forward added a measure of toughness and aggression that had been missing from the Niners for several years. Wilderness is a nifty interior passer and versatile scorer who does his best work in a fast-paced game. He likes to score in transition, attack the basket after a few quick dribbles or muscle between opponents for in-close scores. Though not a superior athlete, he anticipates well and beats opponents with hustle. As his game matures, the sophomore needs to refine his ball-handling (78 TOs), extend his range and become a better shooter (27% 3PG, 58% FT). He’s not big enough to become a mainstay in the paint and Lutz needs more outside firepower with Goldwire gone.

Ian Andersen (5.8 ppg, 37% 3PG). Junior guard gives great effort but only excels at one thing: 3-point shooting. All but 19 of his 146 attempts were 3-pointers and he dished out a mere 16 assists. He shoots in a hurry and can knock ’em down in flurries (17 points vs. Tulsa; 15 points vs. George Washington). The farther 3-point line won’t bother Andersen, either. He’s used to taking shots well behind the arc.

If he showed better judgment, however, Andersen could be one of the most efficient shooters in the A-10. A bigger concern is his defense. Andersen is not especially quick and has trouble guarding athletic opponents. Despite his defensive shortcomings, Andersen will get a chance to start with the loss of Gerrity and Bowden.

Dijuan Harris – The Niners would not have won 20 games if the quick 5-9 point guard had not signed on with the local team last summer. A skilled ball-handler, Harris ran the offense (108 assists) very efficiently, limited turnovers (28) and played good on-the-ball defense (37 steals). He often played late in the game when Charlotte needed defensive stops or a point guard who could hit an open jumper.

The juco transfer didn’t score much (3.5 ppg), but when he did, it was usually because of good shot selection. Harris hit 46% of his treys, though he only made 28 attempts. Nor does he look to penetrate much.

The performance of Harris is critical with the depleted backcourt. He’s the only true point on the roster and has to play well for Charlotte to return to the postseason. With just a little more creativity, Harris could even become one of the best point guards in the league.

Charles Dewhurt – The 6-5 redshirt sophomore is a very athletic swingman who does a bit of everything. He plays hard, usually makes smart decisions and is a good defender (14 blocks, 21 steals). What he lacks is a defined role on offense (4.4 ppg, 35% FG). Dewhurt was a reluctant shooter, especially behind the arc (2-5) He did most of his scoring close to the basket, none of which was by design. He thinks too much when he has the ball and doesn’t react instinctively.

That could be a bigger problem in his second year because Dewhurst is practicing to back up Harris at point guard. Dewhurt’s hustle and attention to detail is welcome, but he also needs to be more instinctive and aggressive, even if he’s playing out of position.

Phil Jones (3.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 22 blocks). Redshirt sophomore, seen as perhaps the team’s top recruit two years ago, did little to excite in his first season. The 6-10 Jones played soft inside and preferred to take midrange jumpers. Although he has good-looking form and a developing half-hook, Jones only hit 33% of his shots, far too low for a player his size.

The Niners need a bigger presence down low, but it’s unclear if Jones is the answer. He’s not especially aggressive, and Lutz told him he had to get in better shape before the upcoming season . He seemed to tire easily and lacked explosiveness as a freshman.

Based on his performance during the team’s tour in Canada, it seems Jones has gotten the message. He played very well and excited the hopes of the coaching staff. The size and talent is there for him to become a dominant center in the A-10. Now he needs the attitude and effort to match.

Gabe Ngoundjo – If Lutz could combine the energy and tenacity of the second-year Cameroon native with the skills of the Brooklyn-born Jones, Charlotte might have itself an All American. Ngoundjo is raw offensively (1.2 ppg, 44% FG) and hesitant to shoot, but he has All-Conference potential as an interior defender and shotblocker (15 blocks). He’s quick and athletic, with very long arms and good anticipation. Ngoundjo still need plenty of work, though. He fouls frequently, bites easily on upfakes, bricks his free throws and committed too many turnovers. A redshirt season would have helped, but it doesn’t look likely.

NEWCOMERS

RaShad Coleman - Athletic 6-5 guard from Atlanta is a high scorer who attracted late attention from the SEC and Big 12. He put up big numbers at a specialized school that played many of the nation’s top prep teams, but he’s older at 21 than most of those against whom he competed. The A-10 is a big step up in competition. Coleman will get a chance to make an impact immediately. He’s supposed to be a good shooter who can score off the bounce.

Javaris Barnett – Local 6-6 swingman sat out as a freshman to work on his game and bulk up, adding 25 pounds during a redshirt year. Barnett is a good shooter with the size and athleticism to play both wing spots. He could even be used as an outside-shooting power forward. A late bloomer in high school, Barnett got lots of attention in his senior year before signing with the home team. Lutz is very high on him.

SCOUTING REPORT

The Niners have a talented group of forwards in Wilderness, Mack and Coley, who also plays center when Lutz goes small.

Wilderness is a rugged slasher with an improving shot. Coley is a superb athlete and one of the best defenders in the league. Mack is an explosive inside-out scorer.

The trio needs more help from underachieving 6-10 center Phil Jones, especially on the boards. Although the Niners were one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the A-10, Charlotte actually finished with a negative rebounding margin.

The Niners are set at starting point guard, but they cannot afford an injury to Harris. He is the only true point on the roster and no one else comes close. Whoever back him up – Dewhurst has been pegged – better be ready. Opponents will ratchet up the pressure the instant Harris heads to the bench.

Finding a replacement for Goldwire is the biggest hurdle to an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Lutz likes to keep a few great shooters in stock, but Goldwire will be impossible to replace. “Even though we’ve got lot of the guys back, Lee was such a huge part,” Lutz told Associated Press.

Mack and Ian Anderson are two veterans who can pick up some slack and newcomers Coleman and Barnett might also chip in.

In any case, Lutz still has to tinker with the offense to generate more scoring and improve the team’s shooting percentage – Charlotte finished dead last in the A-10 at a paltry 40.1%. Expect an athletic Niners squad to press frequently and try to generate more points in transition.

When the pace slows, the Niners are likely to feed the bigmen down low more than in the past. Jones, Coley, Mack and Wilderness can all score inside. An improved post game – largely missing since Charlotte joined the A-10 – would ease the burden on the team’s wing shooters and give them better looks.

More often than not, though, Mack will be the focal point of the offense and teammates will work off him. What’s needed is for another player, perhaps Wildness, to emerges as a go-to scorer and second major peg in the offense.

PREDICTION

Charlotte’s return to winning ways was fueled by aggressive defense, good ball-handling (+2.53 turnover margin led the A-10) and timely 3-point shooting. Of those three pillars, only one is certain. The Niners will be tough again on defense.

The backcourt has become a source of unease and that’s never a good thing in a league in which the best teams usually have the best guards. Good ball-handling, perimeter defense and outside shooting are usually the hallmarks of a winning team.

If the Niners can keep Harris healthy and develop several consistent 3-point threats, they could go a long way. The A-10 lacks a truly great team and any one of eight or nine schools could legitimately compete for the league championship. Charlotte is one of them.

“We shouldn’t be picked to win it,” Lutz told the AP. “But I certainly think we have the talent — if we don’t have any more injuries — to have a chance to play with anybody.”

WH’s

NONCON PREDICTION: 9-5

W – UNC GREENSBORO
W – OLD DOMINION
W – At Appalachian State
L – CLEMSON
L – Arizona State (Anaheim, CA)
L – Providence/Baylor (Anaheim, CA)
W – TBA (Anaheim, CA)
W- At Southern Illinois
L – At Mississippi State
W – YOUNGSTOWN STATE
W – LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
L – At Maryland
W – TULSA
W – WINTHROP

Charlotte might have the toughest noncon slate in the A-10. Greensboro should be an easy win after heavy graduation losses. ODU is a tougher team, but it lost two of its starting guards. I think the Niners pull it out. App State on the road could also be tough. The Mounties lose Donte Minter but have some talented guards. Call this win an, um, “sleeper.” (-:

I go with three wins to start the season because I see three straight losses after that. The Tigers will be pretty good. Their backcourt is one of the best in the ACC. I figure they’re looking to return the favor after the Niners beat them in Clemson last year. Arizona State is young but loaded with talent and plays the kind of disciplined game that gives Lutz’s teams trouble. Providence is very experienced and deep and Baylor should win 20 games for the second year in a row. Any of these games are winnable, but I think guard play is the deciding factor.

SIU doesn’t have one of its strongest teams after two straight years of heavy graduation losses. Faulker is gone and the team is very young. Miss State is also very young, but I see home cooking fueling a win. This is one that the Niners should win and can win, particularly to have hopes of an NCAA bid. I am going to go conservative here.

After wins over mediocre Youngstown and LIU teams, Charlotte loses at Maryland. The Terps are also young and untested upfront, but the backcourt is very good. Again, Charlotte can and should win, but I play it safe with my actual prediction.

One reason I call Maryland a loss is because I call Tulsa a win. The Golden Hurricane smacked the Niners at home last year and return most of its top players. I think Tulsa actually has a better team – 7-foot center Jerome Jordan is an NBA prospect – but this time Charlotte benefits from home cooking. Last but not least, a win over a rebuilding Winthrop team.

While I officially predict a 9-5 noncon record, Charlott really should do no worse than 10-4.