[b]Iti, a sophomore center, announced Monday evening he would not leave the Charlotte 49ers for a junior college -- a move that preserves his basketball future and makes Lutz's team a sleeper candidate for the 2004-05 Final Four.That’s right: Final Four.[/b]
I know it’s not even basketball season yet and we have no clue how this year will work out, but you have to love seeing that in writing. 
You know, you’d have to put a gun to his head to get him to write about the 49ers back in his Observer days, save Iti at the ABCD camp he covered.
He’s actually pretty consistently said good things since then.
Whoa, black helicopter just flew over.
he’s been much nicer to us since leaving the Observer…it is odd
Man, the kiss of death! 
I got in a heated argument with him back when he first started at sportsline. It was really nasty and lasted a while. Seems like he’s been nicer to us since then, though based on what I said, I’m certainly not responsible for the change.
To temper our enthusiasm a bit, he’s been high onus for over a year now. We’re his sleeper darling, but we’ve yet to live up to the HYPE.
Does anyone else feel like it’s put up or shut up time? I certainly do.
It is nice seeing it discussed though. Should give arrogant jerks like the ones on the Wake board something to chew, though they’re a favorite, wheras we’re just a sleeper. :bball:
It is put up or shut up time like it’s never ever been before for us.
Just hope PG works out just fine. We really need strong improvement in Mitch or LeeMire to be the institution from the get-go.
Wow, Doyel brings back his “Dribbles” column early and we get two of the first four he has written!
At least the headline doesn’t say “NC-Charlotte” like it does on the SI.com site.
I’m ready for November 20th and the “other” Niners.
GO CHARLOTTE 49ERS!!!
Good hype. We’re definitely on Doyel’s radar. Him including Goldwire in the mix tells me he’s been talking to someone in the know.
Yes, this is the year we put-up or shut-up. No unexpected losses, win the big games, and advance!!!
[b] No unexpected losses [/b]
Exactly!!!
No Kent
No Boston University especially NO Joey Beard-esq dunks on DJ to win a game
No App State
I could go on. This is the year we need to head into CUSA play 12-1 or 11-2
That is always nice to see in print. I wonder who his sleepers for the final four were last year… just out of curiosity.
[i]Originally posted by NinerLoudNProud[/i]@Aug 10 2004, 10:04 AM [b] It is put up or shut up time like it's never ever been before for us. Just hope PG works out just fine. We really need strong improvement in Mitch or LeeMire to be the institution from the get-go. [/b]Leemire will be a nice player but don't look for him to be the floor general this year, it looks like it is Baldwin's job with Leemire coming off the bench. I think a lot of fans will be impressed with Mitch this season.
[b]I think a lot of fans will be impressed with Mitch this season. [/b]
What in the world would make you say that? I know he’s been working out w/ Henry Williams this summer, but last I checked Henry played SG. A buddy of mine saw him out recently and Mitch told him he couldn’t beat Henry one on one. Well, I hope not. Henry’s been a pro for many years.
Anyway…back to your statement PI, what gives you this impression?? He’s never looked comfortable running the point and he can’t be counted on to hit open jumpers created by Withers and Iti’s presence. So, I just don’t get where you’re coming from on this one.
I actually agree w/ PI here. Mitch is more of a PG than anyone we’ve had in recent past. He’s not a shoot first guy, which means the weight of the scoring burden is off his shoulders. We all know he’s the fastest man on the court. His job is to run the O, slash & dish…all of which I feel he is capable of doing. He can hit the 15 footer (we don’t need him to shoot the 3)…and his touch is soft …meaning put-backs galore for opportunistic big men.
[i]Originally posted by KissMyAxe[/i]@Aug 10 2004, 03:21 PM [b] I actually agree w/ PI here. Mitch is more of a PG than anyone we've had in recent past. He's not a shoot first guy, which means the weight of the scoring burden is off his shoulders. We all know he's the fastest man on the court. His job is to run the O, slash & dish.....all of which I feel he is capable of doing. He can hit the 15 footer (we don't need him to shoot the 3)...and his touch is soft ...meaning put-backs galore for opportunistic big men. [/b]I agree, Mitch will be fine. He has a year under his belt and he won't be looking over his shoulder for Demon everytime he makes a mistake. I expect good things.
[b]I agree, Mitch will be fine. He has a year under his belt and he won't be looking over his shoulder for Demon everytime he makes a mistake. I expect good things.[/b]
Again, there’s nothing to suggest this will be true. He wasn’t looking over his shoulder at Demon last year. Demon was our starting Senior PG, and I (and everyone in my section) felt MUCH better when he was in the game running the show.
Doyel was right on, it’s all going to come down to PG play for us. I hope that Goldwire can play his way into the starting lineup because I am not kidding myself like some people on this board. Mitch has done NOTHING to show me he can CONSISTENTLY run this team.
I’m not so confident. I don’t think Mitch has the basketball IQ or the skills to run the point effectively. He has the physical tools, but he doesn’t seem to have the ability to play in the half court. His one “breakout” game against Louisville was against Taequan Dean on a bad foot, and most of Mitch’s damage was in the half court. If Mitch develops a consistent outside shot and can find ways to get dribble penetration in the half court I think we’ll be fine, but I’m not too sold on his ability to do all that in one summer.
[i]Originally posted by NinerAdvocate[/i]@Aug 10 2004, 09:55 AM [b] Does anyone else feel like it's put up or shut up time? I certainly do. [/b]I think I see this quote from at least 1 person every year :)
Bobblin’ Mitch certainly has his problems, but it could be worse. He def is not a prototype PG, but he has 3 yrs experience in the system and is solid. I totally disagree with 49erFan1: Mitch has alot of bball IQ, certainly loads more than Demon did or will ever have. Mitch rarely forces things and may not be as spectacular as Demon, but certainly makes far less mistakes. Unfortunately he cant shoot, and I dont think he’s a very strong with the ball (especially for a PG). However, he is smart and athletic and can create fast break opportunities with just his speed alone…Hopefully Henry has been teaching him and shooting 1000 jump shots a day with him.
[i]Originally posted by Anborn+Aug 10 2004, 03:46 PM-->
[b]QUOTE[/b] (Anborn @ Aug 10 2004, 03:46 PM)
[i]Originally posted by bobblinlutz[/i]@Aug 10 2004, 03:38 PM [b][b]I agree, Mitch will be fine. He has a year under his belt and he won't be looking over his shoulder for Demon everytime he makes a mistake. I expect good things.[/b]Again, there’s nothing to suggest this will be true.
Mitch has done NOTHING to show me he can CONSISTENTLY run this team. [/b]
How about the only two games last year where he knew that he would get the start at point and not be pulled… So. Ill. (Plav hurt) & Louiville (Demon benched).
These just happened to be two of our biggest wins and he played a huge roll in both wins because he didn’t have to look over his shoulder the entire game.
Against Louiville he started at the point, played all 40 minutes scoring 13 points while shooting 50% from the floor with 6 assists and 1 turnover.
This should suggest to you that he can run this team just fine and the fact that he thrived in both games where he was given the opportunity shows it wasn’t a fluke. Especially against high caliber opponents like Louiville and So. Ill.