Landis Named Big South Conference Freshman of the Week
November 28, 2011 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE - Gardner-Webb combo guard Max Landis was named Big South Conference men's basketball Freshman of the Week Monday by the league office, capping an outstanding four-game stretch.
Landis (Indianapolis, Ind. / Perry Meridian HS) averaged 14.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in a solid week for Gardner-Webb. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder averaged 16.0 points in two games in his home state, netting a career-high 18 markers at Indiana (11/21) and 14 in a near upset of two-time defending NCAA finalist Butler (11/23).
In the game at Butler, Landis sparked Gardner-Webb to a 50-35 halftime advantage, making all five of his field goal attempts in a performance fitting of legendary Hoosier hoops backdrop Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Landis continued to shine over the weekend, scoring 17 points - including five in overtime - to lead Gardner-Webb to a win over preseason SoCon North Division favorite Chattanooga on the road. Landis' free throws with 16.0 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 66-66 and his three-pointer with 1:35 left in overtime gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 73-72 lead and momentum.
His performance Sunday earned Landis MVP honors for the Chattanooga Bracket of the 2011 Hoosier Classic.
Landis, an All-State and All-City selection last season in the Indiana high school ranks, has played in all eight games for the Runnin' Bulldogs so far in 2011-12, and leads the team in scoring with 13.0 points per game. Landis has knocked in 37.5 percent of his three-point chances (18-of-48) and is shooting a solid 74.1 percent at the charity stripe (20-of-27).
Gardner-Webb (3-5) will open Big South Conference play Thursday night, December 1, against one of its toughest opponents to date, as preseason league favorite and 2011 NCAA Tournament participant UNC Asheville rolls into Paul Porter Arena for a 5:30 pm tip.
UNC Asheville is coming off a 22-point win over Pac-10 foe Utah on Sunday and a narrow loss to defending national champion and No. 4 Connecticut and feature preseason All-Big South guards Matt Dickey and J.P. Primm - along with a strong supporting cast. Asheville's only losses this season are to NC State, then No. 1 North Carolina, No. 4 UConn and preseason Southern Conference favorite College of Charleston.
