Runnin' Bulldogs Tip Off Season Friday Night At Clemson
November 10, 2011 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb will tip off its 2011-2012 men's basketball season Friday night, traveling south to tangle with the Clemson Tigers at 8:00 pm in Littlejohn Coliseum (ESPN3).
The Runnin' Bulldogs (11-21 last season) welcome back four players with starting experience in guard Laron Buggs (10.2 ppg), forward Stefon Johnson (9.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and centers Mike Byron (3.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Santoine Butler (3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg) - but must replace the scoring of graduated wing Jon Moore (14.0 ppg).
Chris Holtmann's second edition should have more scoring ability, after averaging 62.0 points per game last season, and Gardner-Webb will still hang its hat on applying sturdy defensive pressure in the half court. The Runnin' Bulldogs lost seven games last season by three points or less, but were much stronger in the Big South season's late stages.
A 59-57 win at regular season champion Coastal Carolina on February 15 proved to be a breakthrough moment for a young squad, as did convincing home wins to close out the regular season against Radford and High Point - a latter a game that saw GWU take a 24-0 lead out of the gate on Senior Night.
The key cogs offensively for GWU will likely be new to the court, with transfer guards Jason Dawson (5-10, 175, Jr.) and Tashan Newsome (6-3, 200, Jr.) each experienced on the Division I level after two seasons at Wofford and Mississippi Valley State, respectively.
Dawson was the most effective player during the team's two-game
exhibition trip to the Bahamas this past August, averaging 18.0
points and 6.5 assists - narrowly missing a triple-double in the
team's win over the Commonwealth Bank Giants. The Columbus, Ohio,
native played in 65 games during his career at Wofford and is
capable of manning either guard spot effectively.
Newsome averaged 9.1 points per game in his final season with the Delta Devils, and is an athletic, powerful guard who should be able to make an impact at small forward or shooting guard.
Holtmann signed a pair of freshmen scorers who should also factor into the mix quickly. Max Landis (6-1, 175) was one of the top guards in talent-rich Indiana over the past two seasons, averaging 24.2 points per game as a senior at Perry Meridian High - in arguably the toughest high school league in the state. Landis, a two-time Indianapolis Star Super Team selection, is more than capable of playing off the ball or in the lead guard spot - and will see major minutes early in the season.
Donta Harper (6-6, 180) was the North Carolina Class 3A State Player of the Year last season, leading South Central (N.C.) High to the state finals. Harper poured in 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in that title bout, and earned a spot on the East squad for the Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game in Charlotte last spring.
Junior college transfer Kevin Hartley (6-6, 235, Jr.) will add immediate scoring and rebounding production at both forward spots, and postgraduate big man Corey Hensley (6-8, 220, Fr.) has enjoyed a very impressive preseason. Hensley, who hails from Candler, N.C., spent last season at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy where he played against some of the nation's top competition. Hensley was one of the state's top-2 scorers as a senior at Enka (N.C.) High two years ago, earning All-State honors.
Gardner-Webb will have little time to rest following its Friday opener, as the Runnin' Bulldogs will hit the road again quickly for a Sunday game at Lipscomb. Tip in Nashville is set for 8:15 pm ET.
Both games will air live on WGWG-FM (88.3) and wgwg.org.| GAME NOTES (PDF) |
