SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000

Last season was indeed a radical departure from standard team operations. North Carolina-Charlotte is used to playing in the NCAAs in March, so last season has to be considered a disappointment.

You can expect that Coach Bobby Lutz will not depend on shooters Diego Guevara and Jobey Thomas so heavily, but the duo remains one of the league's premier backcourts.

Thomas was named to the Conference USA's all-tournament team after scoring in double figures in each of the 49ers' three games. The 6-foot-1 Guevara was inconsistent as a junior after a solid sophomore campaign. Role player James Zimmerman, who led the team in steals, will play a more significant role this season.

Still, Lutz must develop some talent around the basket -- which is riddled with questions -- or the 49ers will have a tough time returning to the NCAAs.

There's the theory that one of their four returning centers will provide some inside scoring and that 6-8 freshman forward Tory Reed, who should get minutes right away if he's eligible, will blossom into a star. Freshman small forward Kevin "Butter" Johnson is smooth and will also get a taste at the point.

The signing of a pair of 6-10 junior college transfers, Jermaine Williams and Malik El-Tamer, holds promise, as does 6-8 Cam Stephens, who originally signed with Purdue four years ago. Stephens played last year at Vincennes University and helped that team to a fifth-place finish in the national junior college tournament.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Senior center KenKay Jones, the 49ers lone returning frontcourt starter, fractured a bone in his right wrist on the opening day of practice and will be sidelined until mid-December.

What is certain is that the 49ers will miss senior forward Jason Gardiner, who started 66 consecutive games before missing the NIT game with a groin injury after averaging 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Honors candidates

Jobey Thomas and Diego Guevara. Thomas can score with anyone, while Guevara must regain his shooting touch to garner all-league honors.

Keep an eye on

Kevin "Butter'' Johnson. Silky freshman can play three positions and is a future star.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• PG Diego Guevara*, 6-1, 185, Sr. - The player Cincinnati fans love to hate (11.9 ppg, 4 apg)
• G-F James Zimmerman*, 6-5, 200, Sr. - Adjusted well to Division I basketball (9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.9 apg)
• C KenKay Jones*, 6-9, 215, Sr. - Fractured wrist has him sidelined for 4-8 weeks (5.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
• SG Jobey Thomas*, 6-4, 190, Sr. - Fun to watch once he gets going (13.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg)
• SF-SG Kevin Johnson, 6-7, 200, Fr. - One of the nation's top swingman recruits
• C Jermaine Williams, 6-10, 225, Jr. - Averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds at San Jacinto Junior College
• C Malik El-Tamer, 6-10, 235, Jr. - Once served in the German Military
• PF Cam Stephens, 6-8, 200, Jr. - Former Purdue forward

Key losses

• Tremaine Gardiner, F, 6-5, 210, (12.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule