Charlotte has won 2 Hornets Nest games in a row. Davidson will try to end that tonight

One of college basketball’s most balanced offenses will face a defensive-minded opponent Tuesday night in the 48th meeting of Mecklenburg County rivals Davidson and the Charlotte 49ers.

With the Hornets Nest Trophy at stake, the two teams will tip off at 7 p.m. in the 49ers’ Halton Arena.

Charlotte has won the last two games, including a 63-52 defensive struggle last year at Davidson. The Wildcats won the previous six meetings.

Davidson (4-2) enters the game with all five starters averaging in double figures.

“To be honest, I don’t remember the last time we had a team with five players averaging in double figures,” veteran Davidson head coach Bob McKillop said.

McKillop said the Wildcats’ offense is designed to make maximum use of each starter’s particular strengths.

“We have designed sets for the five starters,” he said. “The goal is to get them a good shot, based on their talent levels.”

Junior wing Hyunjung Lee leads the team, averaging 16.7 points a game. He has scored 20 or more points in the Wildcats’ last two contests. The other starters, and their averages, are Luka Brajkovic (13.5), Foster Loyer (12.3), Michael Jones (11.2) and Sam Mennenga (10.7).

Davidson makes effective use of the 3-point shot, hitting 42.3% of its attempts this season. That ranks fifth in Division I. But the Wildcats know they face a tough defensive foe in Charlotte (3-2).

“We are going up against a very, very well-coached team,” McKillop said, referring to Charlotte coach Ron Sanchez. “They play very tough defense. And on offense, they will make you press every button to defend them.”

The 49ers’ tenacious defense held Davidson to 34% field-goal shooting last year.

The 49ers’ offense is led by 6-foot-1 junior guard Jahmir Young, who is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per outing. Clyde Tripp, a 6-4 senior guard, is averaging 12.2 points and 6.8 rebounds.

Sanchez is 2-1 against Davidson, while McKillop is 13-21 against Charlotte.

Charlotte leads the overall series 30-17. The Hornets Nest Trophy was introduced in 1979, and the 49ers lead that series 24-11.

This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 7:00 AM.