BASKETBALL PREVIEW · NOV. 17, 2020 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madison Dobrzenski TABLE OF CONTENTS [email protected] SPORTS EDITORIAL Bradley Cole SPORTS EDITOR Miles Ruder ASST. SPORTS EDITOR 3 2020 MEN'S BASKETBALL & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL C-USA SCHEDULE SPORTS STAFF Lanese Dell STAFF WRITER Bryson Foster STAFF WRITER Cameron Williams STAFF WRITER 2020 MEN'S BASKETBALL & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROOSTER 4 EDITORIAL BOARD Olivia Lawless MANAGING EDITOR Max Young COPY EDITOR April Carte ASST. COPY EDITOR Nic Jensen LAYOUT EDITOR MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW Brandon Mitchell ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR 5 COVER PHOTOGRAPH Photo courtesy of WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 6 NEWSROOM 705.687.7150 NINERTIMES.COM/STAFF TWITTER @NINER_TIMES 8 SECOND-YEAR STAR NINER MEDIA @UNCCMEDIA NOTHING BUT JETT 9 NINER TIMES @niner_times 10 NEW LEADER IN TOWN UPTOWN AUDIO @uptownaudio HER HEART IS ON THE COURT 11 SANSKRIT LIT ARTS MAGAZINE 2@sanskrituncc 12 FROM THE SIDELINES 2020-21 MBB C-USA SCHEDULE 1/1 vs. WKU 1/22 at FAU 2/10 vs. ODU 1/2 vs. WKU 1/23 at FAU 2/13 at ODU 1/8 at Marshall 1/29 vs. FIU 2/19 vs. UTSA 1/9 at Marshall 1/30 vs. FIU 2/20 vs. UTSA 1/15 vs. UAB 2/5 at MTSU 2/26 at UTEP 1/16 vs. UAB 2/6 at MTSU 2/27 at UTEP 2020-21 WBB C-USA SCHEDULE 1/1 at WKU 1/22 vs FAU 2/10 at ODU 1/2 at WKU 1/23 vs FAU 2/13 vs. ODU 1/8 vs. Marshall 1/29 at FIU 2/19 at UTSA 1/9 vs. Marshall 1/30 at FIU 2/20 at UTSA 1/15 at UAB 2/5 vs. MTSU 2/26 vs. UTEP 1/16 at UAB 2/6 vs. MTSU 2/27 vs. UTEP Note: This includes Conference USA games only. BASKETBALL PREVIEW · NOV. 17, 2020 3 2020-21 MBB ROSTER 0 Caleb Stone-Carrawell 13 Jordan Shepherd 1 Jahmir Young 14 Regin Larson 2 Caleb Byrd 15 Aly Khalifa 3 Brice Williams 25 Jared Garcia 5 Milos Supica 30 Jhery Matos 10 Marvin Cannon 31 Anzac Rissetto 12 Jackson Threadgill 35 Luka Vasic 2020-21 WBB ROSTER 0 Imani Howard 15 Jada McMillian 2 Cali Konek 20 Sierra McCullough 3 Mariah Linney 24 Molina Williams 4 Tamia Davis 34 Dara Pearson 10 Dazia Lawrence 40 Jazmin Harris 12 Jacee Busick 44 Angel Middleton 13 Octavia Jett-Wilson 4 BASKETBALL PREVIEW · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Bradley Cole Men's basketball team huddles, photo Sports Editor courtesy of Charlotte Athletics Charlotte's men's basketball team looks to pick up where they left off from last season Eight months. That’s how long it’s been As both Young and Shepherd both of Dayton, who were one of the top playing tournaments....(We) have since Charlotte’s men's basketball team had proved to be leaders for the 49ers last teams in the country last season with to tap into those experiences and their postseason ripped away from them season, the 2020-21 season will be a 29-2 record. He’s a graduate transfer just do that every weekend.” after the COVID-19 pandemic started. their year to bloom. Young was named who averaged ten minutes a game with Compared to other years, Sanchez has The 49ers didn’t get the chance to C-USA Freshman of the Year after the Flyers over the last two seasons. taken things slow when it comes to getting play in the Conference USA (C-USA) averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds Marvin Cannon, another transfer who his guys playing back at full speed. Due to basketball tournament after clinching a game. In his first season with the team, spent two years at Washington State, the pandemic, players haven’t been able the fourth seed. They finished 16-13 on Shepherd averaged 14.0 points a game. will be a guard who can bring a veteran to play in the offseason like they used to. the season and 10-8 in conference play. Sanchez likes the growth presence to the 49ers backcourt. He “Our return to play has been very A lot has changed around the world of both Shepherd and Young started with the Cougars 23 times over two cautious,” said Sanchez. “Our return in as the worldwide pandemic has lasted coming into this season. years and averaged 6.3 points a game. play has been a strategic plan. Guys are still throughout the summer and into “I like that combination of those two Charlotte local Regin Larson emerging and showing what they have.” the winter, but it’s now time for head guys,” said Sanchez of the duo. “I think is a transfer guard from Pfeiffer coach Ron Sanchez and company to they really met our expectations last year University who played in 25 games As of Nov. 11, the 49ers don’t have a finish what they started last season. and there’s still growth in both of them.” in his one season with the school. full slate of non-conference opponents "We have a chance to compete The roster also features senior forward There will be plenty of talent on the announced, but the 49ers are set to and we are grateful for that," said Milos Supica, who averaged 5.5 points floor for the 49ers this year, but one open the season with a tough task at Sanchez of this season. "We are going and 3.8 rebounds a game. As last year’s of the biggest challenges will be how 12th ranked Tennessee on Nov. 25. The to control what we can control." big man Amidou Bamba graduated, the team handles the new conference game will be a part of the Volunteer There’s been a lot of changes to the roster Supica will be an important piece down scheduling format come January. Teams Classic tournament, which also includes for the 49ers since the last time they took in the post. Forward/center Anzac will play back-to-back games on Friday VCU. A date for the Charlotte-VCU the court. Six players have either transferred Rissetto is another piece that can make and Saturday, something that would be game has not yet been announced. or graduated for Charlotte which means a a big impact in the post after watching unheard of prior to the pandemic. The No matter who the 49ers play this season, mix of new and old faces will be present. Supica and Bamba his freshman year. new format is to limit travel for teams. Sanchez and company are happy to be A lot of questions surrounded Charlotte will finally get to see guard A lot of unknowns surround the new playing on the court after a grueling wait. the team last season as they had Caleb Stone-Carrawell in action year as he format such as how players will get a "We are looking forward to allowing this young, unproven talent. redshirted last year. Hailing from Concord, substantial amount of rest each weekend sport to give us the opportunity to enjoy “Last season we were going in with a Stone-Carrawell could be another guard and how the team will respond to injuries. one another," said Sanchez. "I think that lot of unknowns,” said Sanchez of last who can make big time plays for the 49ers. Sanchez says how the team will prepare and it has a given us a new level appreciation season’s team. “Jordan Shepherd as a When it comes to transfers, the 49ers managing their day offs will be crucial. because we know that it’s not guaranteed." transfer, Jahmir Young as a freshman. have three total from all over the country. “I can definitely tell you it’s gonna Those guys hadn’t played a game, we Guard Jhery Matos spent the last couple be a challenge,” said Sanchez. “We were wondering what we had.” of years playing with the University just have to tap into our experiences BASKETBALL PREVIEW · NOV. 17, 2020 5 CHARLOTTE LOOKS TO RELOAD THIS SEASON 49ers aim high in Consuegra's 10th season by Miles Ruder Women's basketball team huddles, Asst. Sports Editor photo by Chris Crews Coming off one of the weirdest endings to a basketball “I think there’s a sense of disappointment and emptiness Mariah Linney, Octavia Jett-Wilson and Dara Pearson. This season in NCAA history, the Charlotte 49ers Women’s that will never go away,” said Consuegra. “To start sound group of veterans have had the privilege of playing Basketball team is ready to pick up where they left off for a something and to put so much into something and not under Coach Consuegra their entire collegiate career, fresh start for the 2020-21 season. being able to see it through, is just a disappointing feeling which allows them to bring experience, knowledge and Even with the loss of key players from last season, the that you can’t really describe unless you’ve been through leadership to this team on and off the court. 49ers have reloaded their roster and are ready to compete at something like that. At the same time, we have to move “I think I’ve become more of a vocal leader this year so a high level this upcoming season. forward. Things happen out of your control and we have to that’s really been able to help the team,” said Jett-Wilson. “I’m super excited. One of the things that’s come out of move forward.” Pearson brings size, rebounding and defensive interior this pandemic is a renewed sense of, ‘this could be taken Last year’s team was led by senior Jade Phillips, who leadership to the team while Linney and Jett-Wilson star on away from you at any point in time,’ and how fortunate we was the leading scorer and a leader of the team the past the offensive end by getting to the basket or scoring from are to do what we love,” said head coach Cara Consuegra.