CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz sat in his desk Tuesday and defended last season's injury-plagued, poor-shooting, 11-win team, noting the 49ers never quit and still beat Atlantic 10 heavyweights Xavier and Dayton.
Lutz then paused for a moment and smiled.
"It's obviously much more fun to win," he said. "We're more talented. We have more options. We've got a great nucleus for the next couple of years."
The 49ers (14-5, 4-1) hope to continue their brisk turnaround on Wednesday when No. 15 Temple comes to Halton Arena, an unlikely matchup to determine first place in the A-10.
"To have three new guys be our three leading scorers, I think that's not an easy thing to do," Lutz said. "It's come together pretty nicely."
Lutz, in his 12th season, needed a quick overhaul after an 11-20 record and dwindling crowds last season left athletic director Judy Rose impatient. She said over the summer that "we need to be in that mix" of teams near the top of the league.
So far, Charlotte is doing just that. Bruising Boston College transfer Shamari Spears is using his Charles Barkley-like moves to average 16.9 points. Freshman Chris Braswell is grabbing more than nine rebounds a game, has six double-doubles and is the A-10 rookie of the week. Junior college transfer Derrio Green is averaging 12 points and scored 31 in a loss to Georgia Tech.
The holdovers have helped, too. Senior point guard DiJuan Harris hit the game-winning shot at the end of overtime against Saint Louis on Jan. 13. Junior shooting guard An'Juan Wilderness, recovered from an early season injury, hit a runner at the buzzer Saturday to beat La Salle.
"On different nights it can be different people," Harris said. "That's the great thing about this team."
It starts with the undersized Spears, whose listed 6-foot-6 height is much like how the former NBA star Barkley's measurements was fudged. Spears has spent hours watching tape of Barkley, learning the tricks of creating space to avoid getting his shot blocked. His strength allows him to gain and keep position in the paint.
"If you play him straight up without help, he's going to score a lot," Lutz said. "If you help, then that's going to at least open up other things."
After a painful year sitting out watching the 49ers stumble. the Salisbury, N.C., native believes he made the right move leaving BC.
"I felt like I could be used differently and I wanted to be able to use my talents," Spears said. "Everything has been working out so far."
The 6-9 Braswell, a Maryland native who spent last season in prep school, has made a quick adjustment to college. Braswell had 21 points and 13 rebounds in Saturday's victory at La Salle -- Charlotte's second straight road win after going 0-8 in away league games last season.
"He's a little bit like a heavyweight fighter. As the game goes he's gets better," Lutz said. "It's like during the game he figures out what he needs to do."
Charlotte's new style was on display against Saint Louis. The 49ers went 0-for-7 from 3-point range, ending the nation's ninth longest streak of hitting at least one 3 at 630 games. Lutz said he hasn't had this kind of inside presence since his last NCAA tournament team in 2005.
"My philosophy is get your best players shots. It always has been. We're not an equal opportunity offense," Lutz said. "We've adjusted and most of the things that we run are designed to go inside first now. I think that's the strength of our team."
Green is Lutz's biggest surprise. After spending last season at Gulf Coast Community College in Florida, his speed off the dribble gives defenses fits. He can also get on a roll from 3-point range and help Harris with ballhandling duties.
The depth has allowed Charlotte to overcome the season-ending knee injury to RaShad Coleman and Shamarr Bowden's decision to transfer to Delaware to get onto the fringe of the NCAA tournament at-large discussion.
According to various unofficial tabulations, Charlotte's RPI is 50. The 49ers won at Louisville, with their losses coming to No. 8 Duke, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 22 Georgia Tech and Xavier.
Charlotte, though, likely needs a signature win. Temple provides that opportunity.
"We feel like this is a big chance to do something special," Spears said. "A lot of people are always doubting Charlotte. I told the guys earlier, 'Let's play with a chip on our shoulder and prove everybody wrong."'
