Jan. 22, 2010
La Salle Explorers vs. Charlotte 49ers
Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Atlantic 10 Conference
Radio: WHAT 1340 AM
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Saturday afternoon's matchup between the Explorers and 49ers will incorporate the 20-year reunion of Lionel Simmons, Mike Bergin, Gus Carr, Bron Holland, Jack Hurd, Bobby Johnson, Keith Morris, Mike Stock, Speedy Morris and Rich Prendergast, who were all part of the 1989-90 team that went 30-2 en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance that season. In addition five new members will be inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes. Honorees (Speedy Morris, Kerri McGahey '93, Jennifer Zenszer Ngo '01, Sheila Klick '04 and Todd Witzleben '03) will be recognized at halftime while the induction ceremony will take place immediately following the game at Blue and Gold Commons (across the street from Tom Gola Arena).
La Salle Explorers (10-8, 2-2) / Conference: Atlantic 10
When the La Salle Explorers tip-off on Saturday in a home matinee against the Charlotte 49ers, they'll be riding on the inspiration of the players and coaches from the 1989-90 team, which is one of the greatest Explorers basketball team in program history.
After defeating Penn in their final non-conference game of the season Wednesday night, the Explorers picked up their third win in their last four games. Since beginning Atlantic 10 Conference play, La Salle has been involved in very close affairs. In the four its played so far, none have been decided by more than six points. On a further note, in the last three games in Tom Gola Arena, the average margin of victory has been just four points.
Reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Aaric Murray was La Salle's leading scorer for the fourth straight game after tying his career-high of 21 points against Penn on Wednesday. Only senior Rodney Green has led the Explorers in scoring in as many consecutive games.
Green is first on the team and second in the A-10 with 17.9 ppg. Only Xavier's Jordan Harris has a higher scoring average than Green. At Penn, Green passed Ken Durrett (1968-71) for 15th place on La Salle's all-time scoring list. If Green can pick up 11 points against the 49ers on Saturday, the senior guard will have career point 1,694, which will help him pass Jack Hurd (1988-92) for 14th place while he's in attendance.
Charlotte 49ers (13-5, 3-1) / Conference: Atlantic 10
Fresh off handing the Richmond Spiders their first loss at the Robbins Center this season, the Charlotte 49ers continue their road trip as they head into Philadelphia, Pa. to take on the La Salle Explorers Saturday afternoon.
Charlotte looks to be off to a quick start when compared to a year ago. The 49ers have already amassed more wins than they had all of last year. With only 11 victories last season, Charlotte has already picked up 13 this year. If the 49ers can manage to pick up eight more wins by season's end, they'll have its winningest campaign since joining the A-10 back in 2005-06.
If any other team in the Atlantic 10 has had as tough a non-conference schedule as La Salle, it's definitely the 49ers. Earlier this season, Charlotte faced Duke, Louisville, Old Dominion, Georgia Tech and Tennessee, which combine for a 71-21 record. The 49ers had four respectable losses within these five meetings, having only outlasted then-No. 20 Louisville, 87-65, on the road. In the marquee win that gave Charlotte its third straight season with a win over a team in the top 25, the 49ers converted 10-of-24 three-point attempts to help head coach Bobby Lutz to his most lopsided victory over a top 25 opponent.
Lutz, who is 21 years into his coaching career, received the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award back in 2005 after leading the 49ers to a 21-8 record and being ranked 18th in the nation. Phelan, whom the award is named for, played his collegiate basketball for the La Salle Explorers from 1949-51 before playing one season for the Philadelphia Warriors and then returning to the NCAA as a head coach for Mount Saint Mary's for 49 seasons
Freshman Shamari Spears has been an outstanding addition for the 49ers. Through 17 games, Spears has had 15 occurrences where he's seen his scoring total reach double figures. As Charlotte's leading scorer with 16.6 ppg, Spears is ranked fifth in the nation among freshmen.
Another freshman making an early impression is Chris Braswell. Averaging nine boards a contest, the two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week is currently Charlotte's first freshman to lead the team in rebounding since the 1990-91 season.
Braswell and Spears, who is second on the team with 5.2 rpg, have a lot to do with the 49ers being ranked 20th in the nation in rebounds per game. When Charlotte has outrebounded its opponent, they are 11-2 on the year.
The Series
After picking up their first win against Charlotte last season, the Explorers cut the 49ers advantage in the all-time series down to a 4-1 deficit. Saturday's game will be only the fifth time these two have met as part of their conference rivalry, due to Charlotte being one of the most recent teams to join the Atlantic 10. The only other time these two met outside of conference play was back in 1977 when they clashed for the first time ever at the First Union Invitational.
Last year when the Explorers defeated the 49ers 68-61, they outrebounded Charlotte 50-25 while having 27 second-chance points. La Salle had five players reach double figures, as senior Ruben Guillandeaux paced the Explorers with a team-high 14 points, as junior Terrell Williams finished the game with a double-double. Charlotte's Lamont Mack picked up 23 points in his team's effort, as Charlie Cooley and Phil Jones chipped in with a combined 21 points.
