(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Last week, I posted a preview of the Charlotte 49ers non-conference schedule and how things could play out. Today, I’m going into more detail, talking about five games that can make or break this season and why.

The first non-exhibition game of the season takes place Nov. 13 at Halton Arena against UNC-Asheville. The Bulldogs have been improving in previous years, but 7’7’’ center Kenny George, the biggest (no pun intended) reason for the resurgence, is no longer with the team due to having part of his foot amputated.

The first game of the season is always important to getting the season started the right way, but having the first game at home against an in-state rival can give the 49ers some much-needed momentum.

They’re going to need it for the second crucial game this season.

Provided Charlotte knocks off fellow in-state team Elon University on Nov. 16, the first-round game of the Preseason NIT, they’ll get the chance to play national powerhouse Duke the next day.

This game will likely be broadcast on national television, possibly ESPN, and nationwide exposure early in the season could do wonders for the team’s confidence.

Especially if the game stays close.

I’m not here to say the 49ers will beat Duke, but it wasn’t so long ago that No. 2 seeded Duke was nearly upset by Belmont in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Any team is vulnerable to a big upset, more so early in the season before the team has time to really bond on and off the court.

Even keeping the game against Duke close would suffice. Morale and teamwork would go through the roof.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, Charlotte travels to Louisville to take on their former C-USA rivals.

It was just last week that a sex scandal involving Cardinals coach Rick Pitino grabbed national headlines (before having them mercifully taken away by Brett Favre’s return), and as the season starts again, talks about the subject may resurface.

If they do, it could potentially throw Pitino off his coaching game and allow the 49ers to pull off a shocking road upset of one of the consistently better teams in the nation. After all, Charlotte had no problem beating them in C-USA only a few years ago. They can do it again.

Dec. 20 sees the 49ers travel down to Rock Hill, SC to challenge Winthrop. The Eagles are a regional opponent and dominate the Big South conference, making the NCAA Tournament eight times since 1999.

This game, being played late in non-conference play, will set the tone for conference play. Winthrop is one of the better mid-major schools in the nation, and a win here would assure fans that the 49ers are ready to step up and make a strong run at winning the Atlantic-10 this year.

A loss, however, isn’t the end.

Georgia Tech comes to Halton Arena on Jan. 2, and a win over an ACC team at home would improve Charlotte’s tournament resume.

A weaker non-conference schedule has damaged the 49ers in the past, but with the 49ers reasonably able to defeat Louisville, Winthrop, and Georgia Tech could make up for having a win total only in the high teens.

Strength of schedule is the name of the game, and if Charlotte can take advantage of the situation, they could be dancing come late March.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?