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UD's next opponent atop A-10 with newcomers leading the way

Top three scorers for Charlotte are 2 transfers and a freshman

Charlotte’s Derrio Green reacts in the second half of Charlotte’s 74-64 win over Temple in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Green, a junior-college transfer, is second on the 49ers in scoring with 14 points per game.

Associated Press photo by Chuck Burton Charlotte’s Derrio Green reacts in the second half of Charlotte’s 74-64 win over Temple in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Green, a junior-college transfer, is second on the 49ers in scoring with 14 points per game.

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 11:22 PM Monday, February 8, 2010

Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz would prefer to play every game at home in the cozy confines of Halton Arena, but you’ll never find him grumbling about having to travel to UD Arena to face Dayton, like he will with his 49ers team on Wednesday. Feb. 10.

“It’s my favorite place to play in the league ... in terms of the atmosphere,” he said. “It reminds me of Louisville when we played there in Conference USA. Very knowledgeable fan base, very great home crowd.”

Charlotte has won seven straight games and is alone in first in the Atlantic 10 at 8-1 (18-5 overall). Dayton is 16-6 and 5-3 after a 90-65 thrashing of Xavier.

And while having to deal with 13,000 vocal fans doesn’t worry Lutz, the prospect of facing the surging Flyers certainly does.

“To do what they did to Xavier on Saturday is scary,” he said. “We know it’s going to be a great challenge, but we look forward to it. We’re just happy we’ve played our way to where this game means something for both teams.”

The 49ers stumbled to an 11-20 record last season and were picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll. But while they returned three starters and several more regulars, their top three scorers are newcomers: Boston College transfer Shamari Spears (16.6), junior-college transfer Derrio Green (14.0) and freshman Chris Braswell (9.5).

After verbally committing to Georgetown, Braswell had to attend a prep school for academic reasons and then signed with Charlotte. He’s the team’s top rebounder (8.5).

The 49ers finished second in their first year in the league in 2005-06 but haven’t placed higher than a tie for fourth since then.

“There’s still so many games left and so many teams can win their way to the top. Dayton certainly can do that,” said Lutz, who added that being in first won’t provide any more incentive for the Flyers.

“We’re going to get their best shot regardless. ... They’re playing for themselves to get in the top four (of the A-10). I think that’s what we’re all doing.

“That means in Atlantic City, you get a bye (for the league tourney) and you know you’ve given yourself a great opportunity for postseason play.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Scouting Charlotte

Record: 18-5, 8-1 Atlantic 10

Best wins: Temple, Louisville

Losses: Xavier, Old Dominion, Duke, Georgia Tech, Tennessee

RPI: 46

Postseason: Five NCAA tourney appearances (1977, ’88, ’92, ’95, ’97), six NITs (1976, ’89, ’94, 2000, ’06, ’08)

Lowdown: The 49ers are alone in first in the A-10, but they have some challenging games remaining, including four against title contenders Dayton, Xavier, Richmond and Rhode Island.

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