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Up against Smith - after 17 years

By Jim Utter
jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

It may be nearly 17 years since Johnson C. Smith and the Charlotte 49ers last met on the basketball court, but it's not a game Charlotte fans are likely to ever forget.

Charlotte had bolted to a No. 19 national ranking early in the 1991-92 season, and a meeting with the Division II Bulls would be a nice tune-up before starting Metro Conference play.

It was anything but, as the 49ers had to come from behind to win 82-80 in overtime on a short jumper in the lane by Delano Johnson with one second remaining.

With leagues like the Atlantic 10 frowning on its members' scheduling non-Division I opponents, the 49ers and Golden Bulls won't likely get the chance to meet during the regular season again.

So tonight's preseason exhibition matchup at 7 p.m. at Halton Arena is the next best thing.

For Charlotte fans eager to erase the memories of a disappointing 11-20 season, it's a chance to see the 49ers crop of new players face competition other than each other.

Smith is an experienced team, having won the past two CIAA Tournaments, and it played an exhibition against Wingate last weekend.

STARTING FIVE: Charlotte looks like it will go with a starting lineup tonight of guards DiJuan Harris, Derrio Green and RaShad Coleman, forward Shamari Spears and center Phil Jones.

49ERS INJURY UPDATE: Freshman shooting guard Shamarr Bowden will miss tonight's exhibition with a separated shoulder he sustained in the 49ers' Green-White scrimmage. He could return for the season opener Nov. 13 against UNC Asheville. ... Junior forward An'Juan Wilderness has a strained calf muscle but is probable for tonight's game.

SMITH RANKED: Johnson C. Smith, fresh off a 23-8 season, is ranked 15th in the preseason NCAA Division II poll. Senior forward James Dillard was named to the Division II preseason All-America team.

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT: Both Smith and Charlotte have sent players to the Harlem Globetrotters organization. Former Smith standout Curly Neal starred 22 years for the Globetrotters, while recent 49ers graduate Charlie Coley joined the team over the summer.

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