As the 49ers’ season limps toward its conclusion, coach Alan Major continues to shake up his lineup.
The most recent change has been the insertion of senior guard Charles Dewhurst into the starting lineup ahead of junior Derrio Green, who has been the team’s most dynamic player this season and Charlotte’s leading scorer.
Major said the change was made for defensive purposes.
“We’re playing with some things defensively,” said Major, whose team (10-17, 2-11 Atlantic 10) plays Saturday against Richmond at Halton Arena. “Charles is a senior also, and we’ve been getting a tremendous effort from him. But we’re trying to get off to a better start defensively.”
Green is the team’s leading scorer at 13.4 points per game and made several big plays for the 49ers during a four-game winning streak in December. But he’s had his down moments: He’s shooting just 33.6 percent from the field and his failure to block out Rhode Island’s Jamal Wilson allowed Wilson to tip in the winning basket for the Rams in a 71-70 loss on Feb. 12.
After Green started the next game against Dayton, Dewhurst took over as the starting shooting guard in losses against Saint Louis and George Washington.
Dewhurst, a graduate student who played in high school at Charlotte Latin, had nine rebounds against Saint Louis.
Against George Washington, Green played just 15 minutes and scored a season-low two points (the second lowest total of his career – he didn’t score in his first game for Charlotte last season). He had two turnovers and didn’t have an assist.
Major said Green would have played more against the Colonials, but said he couldn’t get him into the game during an extended stretch in the second half when the 49ers were trying to cut into a big George Washington lead.
“Sometimes a game takes on a life of its own,” said Major. “That crew of guys got us back into the game and when that happens, you try to ride that as much as you can.”
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Green benched because of defense
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9 comments:
If Green is not in the game, who will hold the ball out on the perimeter for 20 seconds before taking and missing an off balance final shot that loses the game?
intramural basketball is probably starting soon...maybe we could snag one of those players. although...more than likely, they'd reject our offer. damn it. 49er baseball couldn't have come sooner.
^^^
intramural basketball is almost over.
Well at least Green isnt a Senior. Im looking forward to next year with our new freshman recruits coming in.
Agree about 49er baseball not getting here soon enough. The Niner baseball team has outscored the opposition 64-1 so far. Missouri is in town for 4 games this weekend.
knowing our luck with ignorant/immature players, he'll quit on us, if he hasn't already.
I'm glad Dewhurst has been playing well enough to earn a starting spot, and he did it with hustle, smart play, and a team attitude. Hopefully some of our other players will learn from this arttitude.
I find it odd that Green wasn't inserted when we were losing to GW.... Dew is great defensively and on the boards, but he can't score.
This is a deserving way for Dewhurst to finish his career. I'm glad to see his determination, defensive hustle, and rebounding rewarded.
I hope this move has a positive effect on Green and makes him a better all around player in the future. It may come in handy next year.
OVER
Green should be getting more experience for next year. Although this season is down the toilet I expect and I expect alot of transfers before next year..
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