Thursday, February 20, 2014

Observations from 49ers' loss to Middle Tennessee

Observations from the 49ers' 71-49 loss to Middle Tennessee on Thursday:

-- There was little, if any evidence, that the 49ers (14-11, 5-7) are capable of turning this slide (which is now four losses in a row, six in eight games) around anytime soon -- and only four regular-season games remain. The turnovers came in bushels (20), many of them coming on passes that didn't need to be made or forced moves to the basket that resulted in traveling calls. Charlotte's free throw shooting was sub-par (30 percent), as was its 3-point field goal defense (allowing the Blue Raiders to make 50 percent).

-- Pierria Henry said earlier this week that sometimes the recent losing gets to him, and that seemed pretty apparent against the Blue Raiders. Henry had eight turnovers, which ties a season high for him, to go with nine points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

-- The smallish crowd of 4,108 was indicative of what the 49ers have been drawing this season at Halton, where they’re are averaging 5,048. That’s on track to be the lowest in the building's 17-year history.

Earlier this week, Major said the smaller crowds don't affect the team and was not something with which he was concerned.

"I don’t know about it," he said. "Unless they want me to go by the shopping malls and put handbills on windshields, I’m going to focus on our guys. That’s out of my league, out of my expertise."

-- This wasn't one of the weaker teams the 49ers have lost to this season. Middle Tennessee (20-7, 10-2) is an strong, experienced team with a terrific forward in Shawn Jones (who had 17 points) and capable point guard in Tweety Knight (seven assists, no turnovers).






19 comments:

Anonymous said...

This guy is a complete fool. He cannot be this bewildered and unaware. He is the reason for the smallish crowds. It should concern him. Maybe he should was cars at the mall. Judy needs to make an easy call and fire him and then make a bigger call by admitting that she and the Chancellor erred terribly. Call a presser. Say you were wrong and that this is unacceptable.

Anonymous said...

Boys Alans coaching like hes got nothing to lose!!

Anonymous said...

I just hope we learn from this loss.

GO NINERS!

Anonymous said...

They should have listened to Coach Majors aka "The great communicator"!!

NWA49 said...

The program is a joke. Fix it Judy. NOW

Anonymous said...

What does it take to prove that the
Charlotte basketball program is in free fall -- after sadly "committing" itself to Coach Major with a contract extension? The 49ers are headed towards the bottom of a weak league.

An "end of an error" would be to bite the bullet and find a new coach and maybe a new AD. As Observer writer Tom Sorenson suggested, the contract extension explanation given by Judy Rose showed little justification.

Anonymous said...

"I don’t know about it," he said. "Unless they want me to go by the shopping malls and put handbills on windshields, I’m going to focus on our guys. That’s out of my league, out of my expertise."

Winning draws fans to games, so I would argue that, yes, drawing a larger crowd is outside his expertise.

Is our long Niner nightmare over yet? Major needs to go back to being an assistant and doing what he does best...develop extremely fragile big men (Olowokandi and Oden).

Judy Rose owes all of Niner Nation an explanation for extending Major's contract. She always gets a pass from the media and the University higher ups. What about "the direction of the program" did you like then, and what do you think now? Despite seeing an iceberg in the distance, she tells the captain to aim right for it because she likes the direction the ship is going. Lots of blame to go around out on Highway 49.

Anonymous said...

We all knew this 49ers team was nothing more than a NIT team. In fact, this edition of the 49ers will bow out in the first round of the NIT...if they even earn a spot, at this point.
Alan Major can start looking for a Realtor, for he's about to get his walking papers next month...If Judy Rose is the least bit competent at her job as AD.

Anonymous said...

Aye yai yai, o dios mio 49ers.

Anonymous said...

Ground Hog Day. "What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
The music goes round and round and it comes out here.

I just want some leadership.

I could go on. - Mark

Anonymous said...

Judy know when she gave him tha xtenshon that we would struggel this year! This is a trow away year! If you ant got pachince den we dont need u as fans HATERS!! We a yong teem and we ned time 2 lern! Wait til next year!

HATERS!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Whether Alan Major likes it or not, it is most defintitly part of his job to be concerened about attendance. You increase, or at least maintain, attendance by winning games. There were at most
2,000 fans actually in attendance last night. I can only imagine how low the attendance will be next year if Major is allowed to stay on. No one likes admitting a mistake, but Judy Rose needs to
admit she made two by hiring Major and then by extending his contract.

Anonymous said...

Garbage in, garbage out.

Jeff said...

Attendance is not my concern ???????
Thats more stupid than any of the crap he says in post game interviews!
The entire administration had better GET concerned about the attendance and the state of mind of all contributors of this program and the athletic foundation, and how the money is being spent !

Anonymous said...

Hypocrites, all of you.

The same people criticizing Major are the exact same people that wanted Lutz fired. Can't have it both ways #teammajor

Anyone who thinks they can pass judgement on someone here less than four years doesn't know anything about basketball. Fact: Major brought it the best recruiting class in 15 years. Fact: Major coached our best season in 10 years last season. And he did it while coaching sound, fundamental defensive basketball instead of chuck-and-duck BS.

But, yeah, carry on with your mouth-breathing idiocitiy, haters.

Anonymous said...

to 12:09pm poster:

Your are the poster child for mediocrity. Sorry, but many of us expect the Charlotte 49ers program to be NCAA tournament-bound. You, on the other hand, are satisfied with .500 records and NIT appearances.
Sure, stick your head up the fanny of Lutz, Major with the belief it smells like a Rose (Judy Rose;highly stinky). You settled for the ugly girl at the prom, too. Who cares about recruiting if you can't get your team to the Big Dance?
Judge everyone else because we saw the 49ers in the NCAA Tournament years ago and now this team is an also-ran? You think small-time, as you're probably upset that everyone moved down to Charlotte and changed it from a podunk town. Judy Rose needs to hire a real coach, and she has failed time and time again. Judy Rose IS THE PROBLEM, as attempts to take credit for success of the new arena and the new football team...both things she just happened to be there at the right place at the right time, yet had very little to do with.
Now, get back in your rocking chair, sit back and settle for mediocrity...which is all you strive for in life and for the 49ers. The rest of us expect much, much more!

Anonymous said...

Fundamental defense ???? Have you been watching the same games I have ??? Two losing seasons from now you'll be selling this same BS !

Anonymous said...

12:02 if you think Alan Major should not be held accountable for being paid close to ONE MILLION dollars over 4yrs and delivering a product close to nothing, then you are completely out of touch with the reality of the business.

Anonymous said...

Judys first mistake was writing the clause in Lutzs contract where we are still paying him today.
Second was extending Lutz only to fire him next season.
Third was hiring Alan Major.
Now, Forth is extending Major....


Sorry Judy but you are OUT!