On 49ers and Lutz's 'stache

I wrote a column you can see here about the Charlotte 49ers' turnaround from 11-20 last season to what is soon going to be a 20-win season this year -- and a possible NCAA berth for the first time in 2005.

Many things are different about these 49ers -- their top three scorers are all new to the court this season in Shamari Spears, Derrio Green and Chris Braswell. The older players have accepted a change in their own roles gracefully, head coach Bobby Lutz said, which has made the turnaround possible.

Lutz also has a mustache again for the first time in five seasons -- partly because of a student campaign to "Bring Back the 'Stache." He said he's going to shave it off once the season is done, but that may be awhile.

It's a good time for Charlotte to be good, too. Lost in the shadow of Davidson and Steph Curry for much of the past three seasons, the 49ers have now returned to the local college hoops spotlight. With an RPI hovering around 40 at the moment, Lutz thinks if they finish in the top four in the Atlantic 10. Right now they are tied for second, with a three-game homestand coming up.