GWU Men Picked Third In Big South Preseason Hoops Poll
October 14, 2008 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE – Gardner-Webb was picked to finish third by the
Big South Conference's head coaches and media Tuesday, as the
league announced its preseason poll and All-Conference team at the
annual media day.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (16-16 in 2007-2008, 9-7 Atlantic Sun
Conference), were one point behind second-place pick Radford, and
were 40 points ahead of fourth-place Liberty. Winthrop, winners of
four consecutive Big South titles, was picked first – but only
14 votes in front of Gardner-Webb, which will be in its first
season of competition in the Big South.
Gardner-Webb collected three first-place votes in what was a
wide-open vote, as seven different teams collected at least one
first-place vote in the balloting. High Point, Charleston Southern,
VMI, Coastal Carolina, UNC Asheville and Presbyterian rounded out
the voting. Only Coastal Carolina, UNCA and Presbyterian didn't
receive a first-place vote.
GWU junior guard Grayson Flittner (15.3 ppg) was named to the
five-man preseason All-Big South Conference team. Flittner, who
made a school and Atlantic Sun Conference record 107 three-point
shots last season, is one of four starters returning for Coach Rick
Scruggs' team – and is one of two players to average at least
19 points per game in GWU's five games against Big South schools
last season (Aaron Linn).
Tuesday's honor added to a wealth of recognition for the
Sharpsburg, Ind., native this preseason.
Flittner was earlier named preseason Big South Player of the Year
by Athlon's College Basketball Preview, which tabbed the Runnin'
Bulldogs second in their preseason prognostications.
The Sporting News also picked GWU to finish second in its inaugural
Big South venture, and chose Aaron Linn as a member of its
preseason All-League team. Linn, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior
guard, averaged 12.5 points per game last season, and 19.6 points
per game in the Bulldogs' five outings against Big South teams.
Gardner-Webb opens its season with a home exhibition game on
Tuesday, Nov. 11, vs. Brevard (N.C.) College in Paul Porter Arena
(7 pm ET tip). The ‘Dogs open the regular season on Friday,
Nov. 14, at Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia Tech (7 pm ET
tip).
