Busting Brackets
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Charlotte Basketball: Five Games that Decide 49ers’ Season

By John Woodcock

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 12: A Charlotte 49ers cheerleader smiles and watches the video scoreboard following the 49ers game against the Rice Owls at McColl-Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 12: A Charlotte 49ers cheerleader smiles and watches the video scoreboard following the 49ers game against the Rice Owls at McColl-Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Jeffrey Carroll #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts with his teammates against the Michigan Wolverines during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Jeffrey Carroll #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts with his teammates against the Michigan Wolverines during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma State – November 13

While some fans might be dying to see the first game against Methodist (not Southern Methodist, just Methodist), the first real important game for the 49ers is game number two against the Cowboys of the Big 12. Surrounded by more regional games, this trip out to Stillwater is attractive for a couple of reasons.

The first reason has to be the quality of the opponent. The Cowboys are a team that regularly appear in the NCAA Tournament and pushed seven seed Michigan to the limit in the ‘second-round’ last year. The Cowboys are only looking to improve in Coach Brad Underwood’s second season.

The second reason is the matchup. The Cowboys rely on pressure and the 49ers have enough experience in their guards and wings to be able to play calmly and beat the press. That Michigan tape probably got a lot of views to figure that out.

The third reason is timing. The Cowboys are one school who have been directly affected by the FBI investigation into bribery surrounding college basketball. They have fired assistant Lamont Evans and have already lost a top recruit commitment for next year (not this coming season). If the Cowboys were to drop a game because of the stress, it would be early in the year and that is where the 49ers fit in.