After a strong start in Atlantic 10 play, the Charlotte 49ers have lost three of their last four league games and trail leader Xavier by 3 1/2 games. Tied for sixth place with Richmond, it's time for the 49ers to focus on something every bit as important as winning the regular-season championship (which is what Charlotte was thinking about two weeks ago before consecutive losses to Richmond and Dayton, then another Wednesday to Xavier): That's finishing in the top four and earning a first-round bye in the Atlantic 10 tournament March 12-15 in Atlantic City, N.J.
Coach Bobby Lutz understands the importance, saying recently that winning four games in four days - with the lure of an NCAA tournament berth dangling - is an unenviably tough task.
The 49ers are 5-4 in the league entering Sunday's game at Fordham and one of 11 teams behind Xavier that have between three and six losses. George Washington and St. Bonaventure are the only two teams that have no shot at a top-four finish.
It's close enough in the middle part of the league that any loss now might consign a team to that four-games-in-four-days scenario. And that's with Xavier most likely awaiting on that final day.
-David Scott
Friday, February 15, 2008
49ers' goal should be securing first-round bye
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11 comments:
Couldn't agree more. But, we have to learn how to play with a small lead in the waning minutes on the road. UMass and Dayton were there for the taking and we weren't tough enough to close either out. Fordham will be a nailbiter because we will play well for a long period. How long?
We also need to learn that a fadeaway 3 pointer rarely goes in the basket and is a poor shot option with 20 seconds on the shot clock. Leemire needs to let other people shoot when he doesn't have a shot.
We can't shoot. It's alarming. we missed 10 lay-ups against Xavier and Fordham. We shot 31% and 32% and lost by two. Is that a joke or what? We work hard and can't score. How many times is Gerrity going to drive an "yip" a lay-up? I know I'm tired of it.
Lutz has got to go. I am tired of seeing the 49ers lose to all these sorry ass A-10 teams. It is getting out of control. It doesn't matter if you beat Davidson and play Xavier tough if you lose to Fordham. Charlotte should no longer settle for the mediocrity that Lutz brings to the table. People say that he is a great person and I believe that. However, that is not enough of a reason to retain him as the head coach.
Same old stories Jim...This team is heading in the wrong direction and not many people seem to be yelling loud enough for changes...AND when some people do...they get reprimanded by the Coach and get called "idiots". Go figure.
As much as I think Lutz is a class act...I have to agree with its time for him to go. There is a reason his contract was not renewed last year.
He has lost control..then again did he ever have control? It is one thing to lose to Xavier...it is another to lose to Hofstra, Monmouth, Richmond, and Fordham
This is sad...real sad
HAHAHAHA!!! 1st round bye??? Wow, that's comedy!!
With the offer on the table Lutz has kicked it in cruise control for the rest of the season. I expect he will wait to interview somewhere else before excepting.
Lutz should go and bring in someone with a new scipt and agenda. Loyalty is one thing UNC Charlotte...and I commend you on that but he time is up. Spice up the A-10 and go for a big name coach...it will help support the program and home attendance.
A "big-time coach." Wow, you fans are idiots.
Lutz should have been gone a few years ago. He recruits players for his 3 point shot only system and that does not cut it when you don;t have shooters of the past like Guevara and Plavich and other players like Basden and Withers to take up the slack in other areas. This team plays real hard but the team philosophy put in motion by Lutz is not working. Let's get a well known coach in here and get back on the map and back in the NCAA Tourney.....
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