THE GOOD NEWS
The outstanding front-court combination of junior forward Shamari Spears and freshman forward Chris Braswell will return after averaging 25.5 points and 14.4 rebounds. Sophomore Guard Derrio Green figures to be even better after averaging 13.1 points in his first season follow his transfer from a junior college. The 49ers should presumably be hungry in 2010-11 after blowing what seemed to be a sure-fire NCAA Tournament berth with seven losses in their last eight games.

THE BAD NEWS
Senior point guard DiJuan Harris's experience and leadership will be missed, not to mention his Atlantic 10-leading 4.5 assists a game. The depth will take a big hit with the departure of five other seniors: forward An'Juan Wilderness, center Phil Jones and guards Ian Andersen, RaShad Coleman and Charles Dewhurst.

Depending on which side of the coaching fence you stand, Bobby Lutz's firing could be considered a negative if only it means starting from scratch. To some, that's not bad news, of course.

KEY RETURNEES
Forward Shamari Spears will be counted on carry a lot of the scoring load after averaging 16.0 points this season in his first season following his transfer from Boston College. Forward Chris Braswell should be able to improve on his 9.5 scoring and 8.5 rebounds average now that the freshman has a season of college ball under his belt. Guard Derrio Green also proved to be a capable scorer as the sophomore, posting a 13.1 scoring average after transferring from a junior college.

ROSTER REPORT

--G RaShad Coleman's career ended 17 games into his senior season when he tore knee ligaments in an overtime victory over Saint Louis on Jan. 17. Coleman needed surgery and missed the final 14 games, as he finished the season averaging 3.9 points and 14.4 minutes.

--G Shamarr Bowden, a redshirt freshman, left the program after 15 games and transferred to Delaware. He averaged 5.7 points and 10.2 minutes.

--G Charles Dewhurst will not return for his final season of eligibility in 2010-11 as the redshirt junior had originally planned. Dewhurst was to begin taking classes in Charlotte's master's program in sports management in the fall. However, the university dropped the program, and Dewhurst will instead get his undergraduate degree in May then move on then begin an internship with Basketball Times. Dewhurst started nine games this season and averaged 2.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 15.7 minutes.

--G Jarvis Davis, a native of Columbia, S.C., who is playing at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., this season, has committed for the 2010-11 season. Davis signed with Louisiana Tech out of high school but was a non-qualifier. In addition to Charlotte, Davis also visited Marshall and considered Delaware, Georgia Southern and Jacksonville.

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