Saw this writeup at THE SPORTS NETWORK. I read their info at times but can't understand this pick as Charlotte is favored by 15.5. They have UNC-G winning by 19 and Charlotte scoring only 58. I would be shocked if this pick is anything close!
GAME NOTES: North Carolina rivals collide on the hardwood tonight, as the UNC Greensboro Spartans take the short trip to Charlotte for a tussle with the 49ers. The Spartans posted a 19-12 overall ledger last season, including a 12-8 mark in Southern Conference play, but suffered key losses in the off- season and will no doubt be in rebuilding mode for 2008-09. The Spartans will at least remain competitive, but 20 wins may be asking a bit too much. As for Charlotte, it went 20-14 overall last season and 9-7 in the Atlantic 10, but the club committed a high number of turnovers and were at the bottom of the league in assists. The 49ers return four starters, but did lose their best player in Leemire Goldwire. Charlotte owns the all-time series between these two programs by an 8-0 mark.
Replacing Kyle Hines and Kevin Oleksiak would be no easy task for any program, but having Mikko Koivisto and Kendall Toney is as good a place to start as any. Koivisto averaged 10.9 ppg last season, and proved to be an excellent perimeter shooter with a 45.5 percent efficiency from beyond the arc. Toney tallied a respectable 7.3 ppg and played a key role off the bench for the 49ers, and will be expected to step his game up in the wake of losing Oleksiak and his 11.5 ppg. The loss of Hines puts added pressure on Ben Stywall, who tallied 8.9 ppg last year and is solid on the glass. The forward was second to Hines in rebounding during last year's campaign with 192 boards, but will now be asked to improve offensively as well, since Hines dropped 19.2 ppg.
Goldwire averaged 18.6 ppg for the 49ers last season, an average that will be difficult to replace. Lamont Mack posted 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game a year ago, but the forward is a bit undersized (6-7) to be a major factor in the paint. An'Juan Wilderness is the kind of swingman with the potential to lead a club in scoring, and will most likely build upon the 8.1 ppg he contributed last season. DiJuan Harris, running things from the point this year, will need to improve upon the mere 3.5 ppg he averaged last season if coach Bobby Lutz has any hope at keeping his team competitive with the A-10's best.
Both programs are in a state of a flux at the moment, but give the edge to the Spartans, even on the road. UNCG still has a talented lineup despite the personnel losses it suffered and should top the 49ers for the first time ever.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UNC Greensboro 77, Charlotte 58
GAME NOTES: North Carolina rivals collide on the hardwood tonight, as the UNC Greensboro Spartans take the short trip to Charlotte for a tussle with the 49ers. The Spartans posted a 19-12 overall ledger last season, including a 12-8 mark in Southern Conference play, but suffered key losses in the off- season and will no doubt be in rebuilding mode for 2008-09. The Spartans will at least remain competitive, but 20 wins may be asking a bit too much. As for Charlotte, it went 20-14 overall last season and 9-7 in the Atlantic 10, but the club committed a high number of turnovers and were at the bottom of the league in assists. The 49ers return four starters, but did lose their best player in Leemire Goldwire. Charlotte owns the all-time series between these two programs by an 8-0 mark.
Replacing Kyle Hines and Kevin Oleksiak would be no easy task for any program, but having Mikko Koivisto and Kendall Toney is as good a place to start as any. Koivisto averaged 10.9 ppg last season, and proved to be an excellent perimeter shooter with a 45.5 percent efficiency from beyond the arc. Toney tallied a respectable 7.3 ppg and played a key role off the bench for the 49ers, and will be expected to step his game up in the wake of losing Oleksiak and his 11.5 ppg. The loss of Hines puts added pressure on Ben Stywall, who tallied 8.9 ppg last year and is solid on the glass. The forward was second to Hines in rebounding during last year's campaign with 192 boards, but will now be asked to improve offensively as well, since Hines dropped 19.2 ppg.
Goldwire averaged 18.6 ppg for the 49ers last season, an average that will be difficult to replace. Lamont Mack posted 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game a year ago, but the forward is a bit undersized (6-7) to be a major factor in the paint. An'Juan Wilderness is the kind of swingman with the potential to lead a club in scoring, and will most likely build upon the 8.1 ppg he contributed last season. DiJuan Harris, running things from the point this year, will need to improve upon the mere 3.5 ppg he averaged last season if coach Bobby Lutz has any hope at keeping his team competitive with the A-10's best.
Both programs are in a state of a flux at the moment, but give the edge to the Spartans, even on the road. UNCG still has a talented lineup despite the personnel losses it suffered and should top the 49ers for the first time ever.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UNC Greensboro 77, Charlotte 58
