Contract Duffle Bag: Charlotte

My favorite Duffle Bag of the year, the one from my very own Alma Mater. Charlotte is about to embark on a pivotal season. After taking a leap forward in year two of the Ron Sanchez era the 49ers hit a major hiccup in year three. The season started by dropping three out of the first four games, all at home, and all games that Charlotte led deep into the 2nd-half. Road wins at archrival Davidson and former A10 nemesis George Washington breathed some life into the season but it did not last long. Charlotte got back into the business of throwing games away in the 2nd-half against in games against Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and even, to the absolute horror of Niner Nation, Division II neighbor Belmont-Abbey. The season ended with a demoralizing 9-game losing streak, and the Niners were finally put out of their misery by UTSA in their first C-USA Tournament game since 2017.

The coming season will be a test for Ron Sanchez and the wrong results could see him on the hot seat.

So far Charlotte has 12-games in ink and is actively seeking a 13th, likely for opening night. As it is now Charlotte would open with a buy-game USC Upstate on November 12th and visit to Appalachian State on the 18th. Charlotte has dropped the ball completely the last two seasons against the Mountaineers, a program Charlotte has absolutely no business dropping consecutive games against. If Charlotte can not win in Boone it will give Coach Sanchez a lot of work to do to gain back support of fans.

Charlotte will compete in the 2021 Baha Mar Nassau Championship, opening the event with a game against Toledo. The Rockets may be the early favorites in this event, having spent the last few seasons near the top of the MAC without breaking through to the NCAA Tournament. If Charlotte can get a win against Toledo they could very will find victory in the next two games.

The first game back in the States will be the Hornets Nest Trophy game at home against Davidson. As unfulfilling as last season one, knowing that Charlotte has Davidson's number once again, like it should, provides a warm fuzzy feeling. The following game will be against George Washington which will be the Colonials first visit to Halton since 2012 when both teams were in the Atlantic 10.

Charlotte will then hit the road for a money game at Arkansas followed by closing out a series with Valparaiso. 

Charlotte will close out the non-conference schedule with three games in the Queen City, first against Wake Forest uptown in a Hall of Fame quadruple header, followed by home buy-games against Maryland-Eastern Shore and Western Carolina.

Charlotte will not be hosting a return game against UNC Wilmington this season.

In all, this schedule gives Charlotte plenty of chances to test themselves and build-up confidence in their system before the always crucial C-USA season.