Charlotte prepares for American rival East Carolina

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Major Freeman and his Charlotte 49ers teammates will try to get the better of in-state rival East Carolina on Jan. 18 when the meet in Greenville, North Carolina. The programs are 2-2 since Charlotte joined the American Conference in 2023.

The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team is preparing to renew their rivalry with East Carolina. 

Charlotte (9-9, 3-2 American) travels to Greenville Jan. 18 to face a struggling Pirates (5-12, 0-4 American) in a game that always seems to deliver, no matter the records. Since joining the American Conference, Charlotte is 2-2 versus ECU and to 49ers’ coach Aaron Fearne, this rivalry will always be special. 

“Rivalries are awesome man,” he said. “It is a little bit about what sucks in this league a little bit because you just don’t get enough of them. There’s not a bunch of schools [in the conference] around here. For us, ECU is one of them, but these ones are fun. These rivalry games are the ones you remember. There’s a lot of passion, emotion and there’s a lot more care factor from a lot of people like the alumni of the universities, the communities and the players.” 

Fearne is leaning on the few players that have been with the program for more than a year to help the newcomers understand the magnitude of the rivalry and what it means to each university. 

“I remember when we played ECU here a few years ago and the place was sold out,” he said. “These things are a heck of a lot of fun … and a lot of people don’t get to experience things like that so I’m definitely looking forward to it, and I know the guys are, too. There will be a lot of talk leading up to it. These guys that have been a part of it will need to share those experiences.”

One player with experience in the rivalry is Charlotte’s Ben Bradford, who is fresh off a 26-point performance — albeit in an 86-74 loss to Tulsa. 

“For the guys here last year, there was a lot of talk,” he said. “The fans there were chirping at us the whole game. Their coach ran out on the court, so we know it’s an emotional environment. I’ll be trying to tell the guys as much as possible, but I feel like as soon as they walk out on the court, they will feel the gym and know that it is a rivalry.”

The 49ers have had recent success on the road going 2-0 in conference play away from Halton Arena. Fearne feels it bodes well against the Pirates but as well as focusing on building correct habits that translates anywhere.

“We have to build behaviors right,” Fearne said. “So, the last three games [two on the road], we have to build good behaviors, good work ethic, good attitude and good leadership. We are trying to stack and build on those things. So, [after the Tulsa loss], we have to get back to the practice court, watch the film and have some truthful discussions, then hit the bus to ECU for that rivalry game.” 

Fearne made a point to emphasize that he wants his team to continue to develop into a player-led team.

“The players always want the coach or the coaching staff to inspire them every day,” Fearne said. “Well, I want to be inspired, too. This is always a two-way street – that balance of being coached hard and coached positively. Players playing hard and being competitive; an everyday guy, that is the balance I am talking about here. … It takes a heck of a lot of toughness being an everyday guy. Unbelievable toughness. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. … If you want to be an everyday guy, you have to have a voice to lead and help keep driving the team forward.”

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