However this basketball season turns out, it's now becoming easier and easier to see how coach Alan Major is putting his stamp on the 49ers' basketball program.
It took 10 games to do it, but the 49ers have found their identity: They're a tough, make-no-excuses bunch that, at least for the time being, is doing whatever it takes to win.
As guard Derrio Green, whose 3-pointer gave the 49ers their winning points in a 57-53 victory against Wright State on Wednesday, put it: “...We fight every night. We do it in practice. We beat each other up. Before, we would lay down. But now we’ve drawn the line.”
This two-game winning streak is just that, a modest bit of success in the middle of a long season. But how the 49ers have won recently, especially given the tumultuous beginning of the season (the Shamari Spears drama, injuries, Luka Voncina's continuing eligibility problems), has given them something to hang on to.
Charlotte locked down Wright State in the second half with a tough zone defense, one that Raiders coach Billy Donlon said had as much to do with the 49ers' physical style as anything. They played through another night of long minutes by the starters.
Ten days ago, that kind of second-half performance wasn't there in a loss at Davidson. Maybe the 49ers had accepted their perceived shortcomings at that time. Or maybe they were still getting accustomed to how Major wants to play and what it will take for them to compete.
Wright State's Donlon, though, might have said it best when he talked about the 49ers' comeback against his Raiders: "That's the sign of something being built."
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
49ers finding an identity
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18 comments:
Dare I say that Javarris and Gohkan are making a difference? And, Derrio has become a man?
Nice crowd tonight, too. Great job Nick and John George.
let's carry all this over to our road games
the Niners have size and talent, they can put a huge lineup on the floor
Anon 12:05 - Derrio still jacks up way too many rushed jump shots for my taste, but he is getting better, as is just about everyone else. Considering we're doing this with half a team, I'm tickled pink. I'd love for us to finish above .500 and sneak into the NIT.
I was at the Tenn game and notice something different about Green in the second half...He began to drive the ball to the basket. If he continues to stay aggressive Charlotte will be ok.
no matter what...they'll always be pathetic little joke uncc. sorry...it's reality. wake up.
anon 10:32,
If you truly feel this way, please stay off the boards. Its not that hard. I don't like UNC-CH basketball, so I simply avoid any articles related to their team. I am sure you can get past your troll tendencies and do the same.
Nice job on covering unc-charlotte basketball. Thanks David Scott for doing this.
That was the most fight I've seen from Charlotte in the last 10 years. I agree with J on his thoughts about Green, and I agree that Barnett and Sirin will grow into good role players Braswell still needs to mature a bit more and not worry about some of the calls. I think KJ will be a lot more active by the time A10 games start. The guys with the rude comments about Charlotte are the biggest fans. They are always on here especially after Charlotte wins. I'm glad you love our team and our school so much that you take time out of your day to respond to the blog.
Braswell looks lost and a little lethargic. By far, he is having the most trouble adjusting to Major’s style. But the coach seems to have a lot of confidence in him. He must be working hard in practices. I’m sure the Spears situation hasn’t helped him any. I agree with some of the other blogs about Green. I would like to see him slash more, use his athleticism to get to the hole, then dish or score from the paint. His shooting mechanics are horrible from behind the 3 pt line. Too often, he rushes his shots, doesn’t square up or get good rotation on the ball. When they run their sets and he can get a clean shot, he does much better. I like his toughness though and he is becoming a leader which they desperately need.
why do Niner fans get rattled if a EZU, Davidson, or ASU fan talk trash? If you wanna get the only team hoops blog, haters will chime in. Embrace it. It means relevance.
Dowless, did we fight at Indiana, or Cuse on the road? What about last year's Temple win? Or the Wake win uptown? 10 years??? come on...tell that to Jobey.
The Lutz hate is sad by some. Pathetic.
The URI and UMass games of 07-8 season also showed a lot of fight by the Niners.
We came from 18 down in the second half in the UMass game and Leemire stuck a dagger in them with a 3 ball similar to what Derrio did last night.
The Niners have always had games like this, every season. It's just a shame they've been inconsistent for the last 5-6 years.
As for Braswell, some of his troubles can be related to the fact that there is no longer a post threat in there with him most of the game. Spears freed him up to play 1v1. When Barnett or Wilderness are playing the 4, the opposing defense is entirely changed. Barnett has had a good season and is developing into a great player, but he still does not command the double teams that Shamari did.
Our two center lineup with Braswell and Phil work well for the same reason Spears and Braswell worked fairly well. Braswell does not have a polished offensive game, Lutz said as much when Braswell first committed to us, but he's good enough when he doesn't have to deal with being double teamed.
With KJ back and Barnett playing well, I want to see more Phil/Braswell lineups.
you guys are giving props to hard work and "fight?" that's like describing an ugly girl with a nice personality and...has a lot to offer. uncc SUCKS!
Tim,
Jobey graduated like 8 years ago. OK maybe 10 years is a little over stated, but the norm is to turn the tv off when Charlotte goes down by 10 points. It was good to see some fight against the last two opponents. Hopefully it keeps going through Conference play. No one is hating on coach Lutz. He represented the university very well on and off the court. I don't know if Major will be any better or worse. No one does at this point. Once again great job on the blog David. Keep up the good work and people will follow.
"you guys are giving props to hard work and "fight?" that's like describing an ugly girl with a nice personality and...has a lot to offer. uncc SUCKS!"
You are right - but when you do not have the name of Chapel Hill or Duke or the big name conference - and you are trying to build to that level - you don't attract the "McDonalds All Americans". You attract those that WANT to be "McDonalds All Americans" - and they do that with fight and heart.
Don't sweat it Patrick. He probably goes home to an ugly girl with a nice personality that thinks his manhood will always be a pathetic little joke.
Javarris is getting more confident with the increased minutes. I like his energy. It would be nice if Gohkan weren't so slow of foot, but it seems that Majors has found a zone that suits his length. I really like the defensive effort and the kids are starting to act a little tougher.
FREE LUKA!
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