2013-14 Season Preview: Craft Era Begins Friday Night
November 03, 2013 | Men's Basketball
PRESEASON PROSPECTUS (PDF)
BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb set the bar very high last season, posting its first 20-win season since 2001-02 and the most wins since becoming a full-fledged member of NCAA Division I in 2002-03.
The
Runnin' Bulldogs, projected fifth in the six-team South Division by
the league's head coaches and media pool, finished a strong second
in that division - just one game out of the top spot in the overall
league standings.
The
team's late-season run was thrilling, and the crowds in Paul Porter
Arena fed off the energy at a steady rate. Gardner-Webb won eight
games in a row before the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Conference
Tournament semifinals, and lost just three times - twice by a mere
three points - after January 23.
The
'Dogs (21-13) finished in the top-200 of the Ratings Percentage
Index (RPI) for the first time in program history, leading all Big
South Conference programs in that key indicator at the end of the
regular season - which ended with the team riding a seven-game win
streak. GWU ran that streak to eight games with its first Big South
tournament win.
Gardner-Webb
also led the Big South membership in total wins (21), ranked first
among league members in the Pomeroy rankings (KenPom.com) and
advanced to the Big South Conference Tournament semifinals for the
first time since joining the league in 2008-2009.
Another
interesting point of analysis: Gardner-Webb was literally within
reach of a victory each of the 33 times it took the court in
2012-2013.
The
Runnin' Bulldogs lost just three games by more than 10 points, and
only one - a competitive, 76-59 loss at No. 11 North Carolina in
the season opener - came by more than 15 points.
Under
first-year head coach Tim
Craft, the 2013-14 Gardner-Webb squad has its sights set on
finishing the task it crept so close to accomplishing last season -
winning the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Conference Tournament
and advancing to the program's first NCAA Tournament.
Three
starters return from last season's run, and a healthy, experienced
roster will join that trio in pushing Gardner-Webb to reaching its
goals - and building on last season's success.
POINT
GUARD
Perhaps
no position on the 2013-14 roster is deeper and more experienced
than point guard. Incumbent Tyler
Strange (5-10, 185, Jr.) is one of the Big South Conference's
most steady floor generals, with 228 assists under his belt in 46
career starts (64 games played overall). The Leominster, Mass.,
standout manages the game exceptionally well on the offensive end,
and emerged early last season as a gritty defensive
presence.
Strange,
who started for two seasons alongside BCS-caliber recruits at
national powerhouse Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., also
developed a reliable outside shot as a sophomore, scoring in double
figures four times in the season's final five games and making 11
3-point baskets in that same stretch.
Joining
Strange at the position this season is transfer Josh
Castellanos (6-1, 180, Gr.), who will play his final college
season in Boiling Springs after a successful career at Mount St.
Mary's in Maryland. Castellanos played in 81 games for the
Mountaineers, starting 49 times and finishing ranked No. 8 in
program history in assists per game after three seasons.
As a
sophomore in 2011-12, Castellanos averaged a solid 8.1 points and
4.6 assists per game. His size and experience should both be
tremendous assets for the Runnin' Bulldogs this season.
Jarvis
Davis (6-0, 180, RJr.) was a solid contributor off the bench
last season, his first after transferring from Conference USA
member UCF, and was a microwave-level scorer during Gardner-Webb's
season-ending stretch of wins. Davis' most lethal effort came at
Coastal Carolina on January 16, when he scored eight points on
perfect shooting in just nine minutes. The former Hargrave Military
(Va.) Academy standout made 27-of-29 free throw attempts as well -
and will likely use his shooting touch at both guard positions in
2013-14.
SHOOTING
GUARD
All-Big
South Conference guard Tashan
Newsome is gone, graduating after leading the team in scoring
and hitting a handful of clutch shots during his two seasons with
the 'Dogs.
Normally
losing such a dynamic scorer would sting considerably, but
Gardner-Webb welcomes a smooth, highly-regarded offensive weapon to
its lineup in 2013-14 with the addition of Texas A&M transfer
Naji
Hibbert.
Hibbert
(6-5, 190, RSr.) was a national-level, four-star recruit out of
storied DeMatha Catholic, holding a starting spot in front of 2013
first-round NBA selection Victor Oladipo (Indiana) as a senior with
the Stags and sharing a backcourt spot with current Duke standout
Quinn Cook on a team that was ranked No. 4 nationally in
2009.
Hibbert
was a solid contributor during his time in College Station, seeing
action in 93 games (nine starts) and averaging 17.5 minutes per
appearance. Hibbert averaged a career-high 5.2 points per game
during Mark Turgeon's final season as head coach - helping the
Aggies to their second NCAA Tournament appearance and 24
wins.
Capable
of playing either guard spot or small forward, Hibbert's
versatility, length and scoring ability will be welcomed quickly to
the Gardner-Webb lineup.
The
Runnin' Bulldogs have depth at the position as well, with the
previously mentioned Davis capable of sliding over to the two spot,
and sharpshooter Isaiah
Ivey (6-2, 190, So.) more than ready to take over a larger role
on both ends of the court.
Ivey,
an All-State performer at Scott County (Ky.) High two seasons ago,
saw limited duty as a freshman, but has outstanding range on his
jumper and was one of the program's top recruits in
2012.
SMALL
FORWARD
Lingering
in the shadows of Newsome and senior forward Kevin
Hartley last season, wing forward Donta
Harper (6-7, 205, Jr.) more than held his own - bumping his
scoring average up by nearly 10 points per game and proving he
belonged at the Division I level.
A
rangy, athletic wing, Harper bulked up in the offseason and grew an
inch. His scoring from a year ago (12.7 ppg) earned the Greenville,
N.C., native a spot on the preseason All-Big South Conference
squad, and positioned him as the face of the program going into his
third season.
Harper
was one of the team's most effective - and consistent - players
throughout the 21-13 campaign and a major reason was his improved
production at the free throw line. Harper nailed 120-of-167 shots
from there (71.9 percent), after only attempting 59 as a freshman.
His rebounding (4.9 rpg), defense (48 steals / 34 blocks) and
overall floor game were major reason's for Gardner-Webb's ability
to make a run at the league crown.
Harper
will eat many of the minutes slotted for the small forward
position, but several players will rotate to that spot when the
high-flying junior needs a breather or moves over to the four
should Craft and his staff choose to employ a smaller
lineup.
Ivey,
Hibbert and combo forward Onzie
Branch (6-6, 215, Sr.) are each capable of manning the spot -
along with newcomer Logan
Stumpf (6-6, 210, RFr.), who redshirted last season. Stumpf, a
bouncy forward from Harrisburg, Pa., will likely man both forward
spots, along with Branch.
Sitting
out the 2013-14 season is Central Connecticut State transfer Adonis
Burbage (6-5, 200, Jr.), who averaged 10.3 points per game as a
sophomore for the Blue Devils. The Orlando, Fla., native will pair
nicely with Harper on the wing when he becomes eligible in
2014-15.
POWER
FORWARD
Gardner-Webb
will turn to a combination of men to help offset the loss of
standout Kevin
Hartley, who was one of the most efficient shooters in the
country last season according to statistics analyst Ken
Pomeroy.
A
rising star for the Runnin' Bulldogs will likely start the season
at the four spot, with Jerome
Hill (6-5, 210, So.) returning to his natural forward position.
Hill performed admirably at the five during his freshman season,
turning in several strong performances and effectively guarding
much larger players on the interior.
An
athletic southpaw, Hill is capable of stepping out to mid range,
and is very comfortable scoring in the paint or off the dribble.
The former Cook County (Ga.) star actually handled the point guard
spot for his high school team at times.
Hill's
athleticism, toughness and rebounding are obvious strengths - but
his scoring should be more of a factor during his second season
with the program. Last season, Hill drew an outstanding 45
offensive foul calls when guarding opponents in the paint - with 33
coming in league games.
Branch
and Stumpf will push Hill for playing time as well, with Branch a
sturdy defender at the position.
Gardner-Webb
added an impact player at the four during the spring signing
period, with Tift County (Ga.) High standout Donell
Tuff (6-6, 210, Fr.) joining the 'Dogs. Tuff is an
ultra-athletic, powerful forward who will bring an immediate dose
of rebounding and shot blocking to the rotation.
Tuff's
ability to finish above the rim should pay dividends quickly, and
will also likely turn into a regular crowd ignitor in Paul Porter
Arena.
CENTER
Gardner-Webb
has a pair of veteran letter winners with starting experience at
the center position in Mike
Byron (6-10, 245, Sr.) and Corey
Hensley (6-8, 220, Jr.), with Byron finally healthy after an
injury-plagued junior campaign.
Byron
matches up very well with traditional centers, and has a seasoned
mix of post moves in his repertoire - and was very effective on
both ends as a sophomore in 2011-12. His performances at Butler and
Chattanooga (18 points, 13 rebounds) were key in Gardner-Webb's
Hoosier Classic efforts that season.
Hensley
filled in nicely when called on last season, particularly on the
offensive end. The former Enka (N.C.) High star has a nice shooting
touch and has shown improvement during the offseason.
A
name that has created positive buzz since arriving on campus,
however, is newcomer Tyrell
Nelson (6-7, 235, Fr.), a gifted post prospect who should have
an early impact on this Runnin' Bulldogs team.
Nelson
starred at nearby Metrolina Christian Academy, earning All-State
honors as a senior and averaging more than 20 points per game.
Nelson will push his more experienced position mates early for
extended minutes.
Tuff
could also slide over to the five spot defensively on occassion,
particulary when matched up against quicker, non-traditional
centers.
SCHEDULE
Per
its tradition as a Division I competitor, Gardner-Webb won't duck
any difficulty with its 2013-2014 schedule - opening at Xavier on
Friday, November 8 and traveling to face BCS conference foes
Missouri (SEC), Northwestern (Big Ten) and Georgia (SEC) - along
with a trip to 2014 national title contender Duke (ACC).
Add
in regional Division I games against Furman (away), Jacksonville
(home), Citadel (away), Wofford (home) and Delaware State (away),
and the Runnin' Bulldogs will be battle tested before getting into
Big South Conference play at home on January 8 against UNC
Asheville.
Gardner-Webb
will also battle mid-major foes IUPUI and either Morehead State or
Chattanooga in Las Vegas on the tail end of the 2013 Las Vegas
Invitational during Thanksgiving week.
