2000-01 record: 22-11; 10-6 in C-USA (2nd in American) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to Illinois 79-61 in second round of NCAA Tournament. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Thomas 14.0 ppg | Rebounds: Stephens 7.8 rpg | Assists: Brown 3.8 apg | FG %: Stephens 46.1% | 3pt %: Thomas 40.2% | FT %: Thomas 90.9% 00-01 Stats: Charlotte | C-USA

		Saturday, Nov. 3 There are some question marks regarding Charlotte’s strength of inside play. What happens with them underneath could be the key to their whole season. In my opinion, the 49ers lost the best freshman in the country in Rodney White, who was outstanding but they’ve got a solid guard returning in Jobey Thomas. The question goes back to Cam Stephens and Kevin "Butter" Johnson underneath, who each need to increase their scoring to go along with their rebounding.

Outlook
The 49ers' worst record in the last 15 years is 14-15, which says something about the quietly healthy footing this program is on. It also means that even the loss of deluxe freshman Rodney White -- the first lottery pick in school history -- should not torpedo Charlott's season.

"The recruiting success we had was somewhat of a secret and now I don't think it's much of a secret," coach Bobby Lutz said. "And a lot of that is due to Rodney."

Nevertheless, had White stuck around, Charlotte would probably be a top 15 preseason pick. Without him the 49ers are in their usual position: expected to do well in the league, but not on anyone's national radar just yet.

Underrated coach Lutz at least has a solid backcourt to build upon.

Shooting guard Jobey Thomas should be in every argument over who is the No. 1 3-point threat in the country. He's inarguably No. 1 in the conference, C-USA's alltime leader in threes with 236.

"This will be Jobey Thomas' team," Lutz said. "And those are good hands to put it in."

Thomas will team with sophomore point guard Demon Brown, who played impressively enough as a freshman to put eternal 49er Diego Guevara (would his career ever end?) on the bench for half of his senior season. Lutz has recruited quality depth to back up both players.

Inside is where things could get interesting. Charlotte lost most of its top frontcourt players, with sporadic center Cam Stephens (7.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg, but only 46 percent shooting) the only experienced returnee. Everyone is intrigued by the potential of skilled 6-8 sophomore Kevin "Butter" Johnson, but the best thing you can say about his freshman season is that he survived it. The other forward spot could go to someone with more of a perimeter game, perhaps junior college transfer swingman Curtis Nash.

Charlotte led the league in scoring last year at 78.3 points per game and actually hopes to hit the accelerator harder this season. Lutz, who never lacks for confidence in his team, believes he has enough skilled players to create an even faster tempo and get up shots more quickly.

"We'll look to attack early in every possession," Lutz said, "Miss or make."

What we like: From the head man on down, Charlotte has developed a belief that it belongs at the top of this league and among the 40 best programs in America. Every year.

What we don't like: White warped every defense last year with his inside-outside game, and was the one 49er who could get his own shot when the offense broke down. Who fills that role now?

The bottom line: The non-conference schedule is extremely ambitious (Indiana, Temple, Florida, Miami and a few other dangerous games). But this is an ambitious program. Not sure it has the horses for another NCAA Tournament run, but they'll have a say in who wins the league.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Jobey Thomas	Sr.	G	6-4/190	PTS: 14.0 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 1.2
Demon Brown	Jr..	G	6-1/195	PTS: 11.7 | REB: 2.5 | AST: 3.8
Cam Stephens	Sr.	F/G	6-8/240	PTS: 7.8 | REB: 7.8 | AST: 1.0

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Rodney White	F	6-9/230	PTS: 18.7 | REB: 6.5 | AST: 1.5
James Zimmerman	F	6-5/200	PTS: 9.1 | REB: 6.0 | AST: 2.6

Charlotte Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Curtis Nash	G	6-5	Dallas/Hill JC
Mitchell Baldwin	G	6-2	Rural Hall, N.C./R.J. Reynolds H.S.
Eddie Basden	G/F	6-5	Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt