Charlotte 49ers vs Rice (Bobby Lutz Day)

Charlotte 49ers vs Rice (Bobby Lutz Day)

Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Halton Arena
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223

Tickets: $11 plus

The winningest coach in Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball history, Bobby Lutz, will be honored at halftime of the Rice game at Halton Arena this weekend. A member of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame (2002) and Charlotte 49ers Athletics Hall of Fame (2023), Lutz concluded his career with a 218-158 record in Charlotte.

A graduate of Bandys High School in Catawba, North Carolina, Lutz earned a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from the UNC Charlotte in 1980. He began his career as a social studies teacher and high school basketball coach, becoming a graduate assistant coach for Clemson in 1984, before being named head coach at Pfeiffer College in 1986.

After nine seasons at Pfeiffer, Lutz returned to his alma mater in 1995 as an assistant, becoming the eighth head coach in Charlotte 49ers history on April 9, 1998. During his 12-year tenure, he led the 49ers to five NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005) and three NIT appearances (2000, 2006, and 2008). In 2005, he was a finalist for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award.

The 49ers will face conference rivals Rice, led by junior guard and Durham native Nik Graves, who is averaging 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and three assists per game. The 49ers are currently 8-14 record and sit at the bottom of the American Conference standings. The Rice Owls are 11-11, led by senior guard Trae Broadnax, who is averaging 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

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