New MBB Head Coach search

Thanks Run. Brain fart there.

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2025-26 stats show a virtual dead heat offensively but definite edge to Cincy on defense.

Charlotte 73.3 ppg
Opponents 74.4 ppg

Cincinnati 73.1 ppg
Opponents 67.6 ppg

it amazes me, given the mediocre coaches we have had with their lack of success for the past 20 or 25 years that we have concerns about getting a coach of the quality of Wes Miller

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I think we are all just antsy, and also it being march madness, probably a little surly. I get it. We need to be dancing again

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He’d be the best hire weve made since Bobby. He also just got fired for missing the dance 5 years in a row with a lot more resources than we have in a multi bid league. Its a legitimate concern. Not sure what’s confusing about that.

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Miller took UNC Greensboro to the NCAA 2018 and 2021. The last time we went to the NCAA was 25 years ago. obviously, I am pleased with this hire. Sorry you are not, but you have a right to your opinion.

This is a few years old but you get the point. Some schools that left were probably better suited for the American. Especially after the Pac 12 teams joined the Big 12. I realize Houston has done really well in the Big 12 but they seem more focused on basketball.

BTW, 2025-26 is the first year that Cincy, BYU, Houston, and UCF will receive a full share of Big XII revenues (~$30-40M yr), which will basically double what they received initially.

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https://x.com/i/status/2035358569126654264

FWIW, he names Dildy, Earl Grant, Wes Miller, and Tod K as the candidates. No Keatts listed.

Also, since this was a topic of conversation:

“Our men’s basketball program is critical to the department’s overall success,” said White. “It must regularly compete for American Conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths.”

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article315109804.html

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Seems like Pace will not be a problem under Wes.

This is from Gemini:

For the 2025–26 season, Charlotte and Cincinnati operate at opposite ends of the spectrum regarding pace.
Based on the most recent KenPom and Bart Torvik data, here is where they rank nationally in Adjusted Tempo (possessions per 40 minutes):
Pace of Play Rankings (2025–26)

Team Adj. Tempo Rank Style of Play
Cincinnati #92 Fast: The Bearcats utilize a high-possession style, looking to run in transition and create early scoring opportunities.
Charlotte #349 Slow: The 49ers play one of the most deliberate, half-court styles in the country, ranking as the 17th-slowest team in Division I.
Key Takeaways
  • Cincinnati’s Shift: Under Wes Miller, the Bearcats have embraced a much faster pace this season, consistently ranking in the Top 100 for tempo. This is a significant factor in their scoring average of roughly 73.1 PPG, despite some shooting inconsistencies.
  • Charlotte’s “Grind”: Head coach Aaron Fearne has maintained a “crawl” pace. By limiting possessions (averaging around 63.4 possessions per game), Charlotte forces opponents into a half-court game, which is a hallmark of their defensive strategy.
  • Betting Context: If you’re looking at these for totals or player props, Cincinnati games are much more likely to see high volume, whereas Charlotte games are almost always low-possession “slugfests.”
    Would you like me to pull the efficiency ratings for these two teams to see how their pace correlates with their offensive and defensive success?
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And yet still scored virtually same number of points per game - Niners 73.3 vs Cincy 73.1.

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you have to take into consideration the level of competition and defense in the two conferences. how many points do you think we would have averaged in Cincinnati’s Conference?

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There is never going to be a perfect candidate for charlotte barring a successful coach leaving and his top assistant being ready to step into the role (like Watkins, then lutz). Any coach we hire is going to have some warts, but I’m thrilled to hire someone that has successfully lead other program before. Maybe his time at Cinci was disappointing, but he wasn’t a complete flop either. I’d rather gamble on someone with his history than another assistant who has never been the man in charge before.

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https://x.com/i/status/2035378276214911311

Very unfair for Fearn. Just imagine if his coaching time here was during a period where he had a chance to retain his players.

How about if Fearn had a follow up season retaining key members of the team below? Not the world we live in today but could have made a huge difference in his coaching career outcome at Charlotte.

  • #3 Isaiah Folkes (G, So.)

  • #10 Nik Graves (G, Fr.)

  • #11 Daylen Berry (G, R-Fr.)

  • #12 Jackson Threadgill (G, Jr.)

  • #15 Aly Khalifa (C, So.)

  • #24 Igor Milicic Jr. (F, So.)

  • #25 Lu’Cye Patterson (G, R-So.)

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Charlotte Athletics

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2023-24 Men’s Basketball Roster - Charlotte Athletics

* Rich Rolf. Jersey Number 0. Position F Academic Year R-Fr. Height 6’ 7’’ Weight 205 lbs. … * Dishon Jackson. Jersey Number 1. Position C Academic Year R-So.

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Charlotte Athletics

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2022–23 Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team - Wikipedia

2022–23 Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team * Vic Sfera. * Kevin Smith.

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Wikipedia

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21…..but who’s counting.

My bad, seems longer. A good number of our student fans have been born since then.

Also, we were in the Top 25 as “recently” as February, 2010…..before the late season slump that gave Judy and Phil cover to fire Bobby.

Did we? I remember us getting some votes, but I don’t remember actually getting ranked.

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I thought we were talking about how long it had been since going to the NCAA