The 49ers reached the 1977 NCAA Final Four after making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament
The 49ers won the inaugural Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Charlotte became the first team in NCAA history to reach a Final Four in the first-year of a league’s existence. The Sun Belt Conference’s first season was 1976-77.
Charlotte defeated #17 Central Michigan, #5 Syracuse and #1 Michigan in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four.
Coach Lee Rose was named 1977 Sporting News National Coach of the Year.
1976-77 starting lineup: Forwards Lew Massey and Kevin King, Center Cedric Maxwell, Guards Melvin Watkins and Chad Kinch
All-America Cedric Maxwell was named the NCAA Mideast Region MVP
Maxwell was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Sun Belt Conference Tournament MVP.