One day away from Charlotte-Davidson at the Wildcats' Belk Arena (tip is 8:30 p.m. Wednesday). A few notes and numbers about the game for the Hornets' Nest Trophy.
-- Charlotte leads the series 27-11.
-- At 7-0, the 49ers are off to the fastest start in program history. But most strength-of-schedule rankings place Charlotte's in about the 300 range nationally. Davidson (4-3) has beaten West Virginia and Vanderbilt and lost to Gonzaga, Milwaukee and New Mexico.
-- One of the series’ more unlikely results was 2011, when the 49ers shot 51.8 percent and won 84-61 at Halton Arena – the largest margin of victory for coach Alan Major in his two-plus seasons at Charlotte. The 49ers would finish 13-17 last season; Davidson was 25-8 and played in the NCAA tournament.
-- This is Davidson’s second home game of the season. The Wildcats beat Division III Emory 93-67 in their season opener at Belk Arena.
-- The 49ers have made more free throws (131) than their opponents have attempted (127). That usually means a team is successful at getting the ball inside.
-- The Wildcats are dangerous from 3-point range, making 40.4 percent of their shots (tied with Virginia Tech for 26th nationally) and second in the Southern Conference. Clint Mann (5-of-8) and Chris Czerapowicz (16-of-32) are both above 50 percent.
-- Charlotte’s field-goal defense of 34.6 percent is tied for fifth nationally with Nevada-Las Vegas, Syracuse and Southeast Missouri State. The 49ers’ scoring defense of 57.9 points per game is tied for 39th.
-- Both teams have deep rotations. Davidson has eight players who average at least 20 minutes (from guard Nik Cochran’s 28.4 to backup guard Tom Droney’s 20.6). Charlotte has 10 who play at least at least 11 minutes per game (from point guard Pierria Henry’s 31.4 to backup guard Ivan Benkovic’s 11.2).
-- Davidson, however, has by far the more experienced team, with all eight of those players either starting or contributing last season. The 49ers, by contrast, have two seniors (center Chris Braswell, forward J.T. Thompson) and one junior (guard DeMario Mayfield) in their top 10.
-- Charlotte’s Pierria Henry is again having a solid defensive season. He’s averaging 2.57 steals, which ranks 29th nationally and is third in the Atlantic 10.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
49ers-Davidson notes, numbers
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
This is really going to be interesting. We are going to beat the crap out of them in the lane, but they're likely to go 15-for-18 on threes. I'm cautiously optimistic we can do well. I think the home court advantage they have might be the deciding factor.
Even if we lose, and even if we lose the 2 remaining real teams on the non-conference schedule, the worst we will be is 11-3 headed to conference play. When you throw in the easy wins we will get against the A-10 scrubs (Fordham, Rhode Island, Douquesne, St. Bonaventure), we're almost assured of at least an NIT bid. If we go 13-1 and then finish in the top half of the A-10 and win an A-10 tournament game, I think Major will have done enough to earn a contract extension.
I'm definitely nervous about this match up. If we can steal this game, that would be great. This will be the first real away game in a hostile environment for the 49ers. Let's get this victory Niner Nation!
Win or lose this team has me hooked. Went to ECU game and it looked like varsity v JV. Amazed at the competitive talent that has joined the program. Been at least 10 years since we have seen talent like this. Apparently Major did have a plan. I am ready for more.
Beat Davidson!! Now that our team doesn't rely on jacking the 3 every possession, I can truly enjoy 49er basketball again. Hoping all of the new guys bring it hard tomorrow night.
Go Niners!!!!!!!!!
I hope this game gets more pregame mention than a blog. It should.
I get how everyone is down on the teams Charlotte has played. What I don't get is how hyped everyone is about Davidson. They beat WVU, Vandy, and a D3 school. WVU is currently 2-3 with wins only against Marist and VMI. Vandy is currently 2-4 with wins against Nicholls State and UTEP. Vandy also lost to Marist and only scored 33 in the game. These hardly sound like world beaters on the hardwood, but I guess all people care about is what conference you are in these days. Also keep in mind that Davidson lost to a Milwaukee team that only has one win in six tries with losses to teams such as Jacksonville.
No doubt these guys will be tough in their place, but I wouldn't go so far as to say these guys will put Charlotte on the map if Charlotte wins.
To "J". A contract extension? He has won 7 games in an easy schedule. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're still paying Lutz. If we extended Major it could be possible to pay him, Lutz and a new coach all at once. Not saying he won't earn one, but let's see how this season and next play out first. Remember Lutz started 9-1 and 18-5 the year he got fired.
If the Niners play as intensely, agressively, pound the boards as they have been, I think Davidson's in for one heck of fight. I'm concerned about the outside shooting of the Niners, however. While they've been very successful so far in the paint, a dangerous outside game just opens the inside game even more.
Will be there tonight pulling for my Niners! Davidson will be a great test, and win or lose, love the new energy in the program!
Get ready for a beatdown by the hands of Davidson. Niner fans will get a dose of reality tonight. The line in Las Vegas is 8, it should be 18 in favor of the Wildcats.
I'm giving my Niners the edge. Glad to see an intense rivalry game again - been awhile.
Post a Comment