BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb's incoming class of recruits for men's basketball is rated No. 49 in the nation by Hoop Scoop, a national recruiting service based in Kentucky.

The nine-man class marks the largest haul of the Rick Scruggs era, as GWU needed a major infusion of talent after seeing six seniors - four starters among that number - graduate after last season. After playing the 2005-2006 season with just 11 scholarship players, the Runnin' Bulldogs had eight spots to fill for the upcoming campaign, and added a football recruit for the ninth spot in the class.

GWU inked guard Wesley Mincey (5-10, 165) of Norcross, Ga., forward Jesse Wheeler (6-5, 205) of Duluth, Ga. and center Matt Maden (6-10, 270) of Roth Well, Australia, during the early signing period. The 'Dogs added center Samba Fall (6-9, 215) of Dakar, Senegal, wing Jake Sims (6-5, 210) of Augusta, Kan., guard Selden Edwards (6-2, 190) of Huntington, WVa., and fowards Auryn McMillan (6-8, 230) and Matt French (6-6, 210) of Melbourne, Australia in the spring.

Point guard Brandon Jackson (6-0, 178) of Orlando, Fla., signed a football NLI in February, and will play both sports as a true freshman at GWU.

The top-50 ranking is the highest ever for GWU, and marks the second time in two years that the Bulldogs' recruiting class has been ranked in the national top-100.