Next up for Marshall in its head-turning early tour of Conference USA is Charlotte, a team with a familiar look.
Not in personnel, as the 49ers have a new coach and a host of new players. But familiar in the direction the Thundering Herd has taken, and perhaps the style of play.
The 49ers, under coach Mark Price, are 4-13 overall, 1-4 in conference play. At this point last year, the Herd was 4-14 overall, 0-5 in the league.
So yes, MU coach Dan D’Antoni can relate.
“They’ve lost close to Georgetown, they’ve lost close to UAB,” D’Antoni said of the 49ers.