Busting Brackets
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 11: Will Magarity #22 of the Davidson Wildcats looks to pass in front of Hassan Martin #12 of the Rhode Island Rams during the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 11, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 11: Will Magarity #22 of the Davidson Wildcats looks to pass in front of Hassan Martin #12 of the Rhode Island Rams during the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 11, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Davidson – November 28

Basketball in Charlotte has always been big, but the local powers often got overlooked for their more prominent ACC counterparts. Still, Davidson and Charlotte have had periods of relevance on the national stage of their own. As a result, the regular game between the two establishes which of the two should be looking to do bigger and better things in a given year. Lately, the series has belonged to Davidson, and there could be no clearer sign of improvement than if the 49ers were to take down the Wildcats.

Davidson is coming off of a little bit of a disappointing season. More important will be their ability to forge a new identity without Jackson Gibbs to fill up the offensive stats. The Wildcats roster is full of juniors and freshmen, so finding the right mix of both will be critical. There is a chance that has not happened yet by November 28.

Beating Davidson would give the 49ers a good win over a local foe and get a monkey off the team’s back. It may not mean much nationally, but the Charlotte AD would certainly pay attention to a rivalry win and bragging rights in the Queen City.