GAME PREVIEW: Runnin' Bulldogs Set To Face No. 18 Vanderbilt Monday
November 15, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | Live Stats | Video
Top Storylines for Monday's Game
1. A New Season, A Clean Slate
Gardner-Webb will look to build on its third consecutive winning season after posting a 20-15 overall record last year, and earning its second postseason bid in three years with a berth in the Collegiate Basketball Invitational. The Runnin' Bulldogs return four of their top seven scorers and two of their top five rebounders from last season, and with six promising newcomers in the fold as well, Gardner-Webb is poised to make a push for the Big South Championship this coming spring.
2. Senior Leadership
The Runnin' Bulldogs will have a bevy of veteran presence on the court this season, bringing five players back for their senior campaigns - all of whom are expected to log significant minutes. Harold McBride, Adonis Burbage, Isaiah Ivey, Dylan Poston and Herve Aholode each saw plenty of game time last season, with four of the five averaging at least 13 minutes per game as the group combined for just under 25 points per game.
3. Craft Era Hits Year Three
Tim Craft enters his third season at the helm of the Gardner-Webb men's basketball program, having led the Runnin' Bulldogs to 38 wins over the past two years. A former assistant with the Runnin' Bulldogs in the mid-2000's, Crafted guided Gardner-Webb to a 20-15 mark last season, including a berth in the Big South semifinals as a No. 7 seed and a trip to the Collegiate Basketball Invitational.
4. Last Time Out - Iowa 76, GWU 59
The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the season at Iowa on Friday, falling to the Hawkeyes by a 76-59 margin after Iowa opened the second half with a quick 8-0 run. Tyrell Nelson paced Gardner-Webb in scoring with 12 points, while Isaiah Ivey added nine points and a game-high nine rebounds. Harold McBride chipped in 10 points as Iowa held the Runnin' Bulldogs to a field goal percentage of 31.7 percent.
5. Taking a Look at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has reloaded with a strong recruiting class after posting a 21-14 record last season, earning the 18th spot on the AP Preseason poll. The Commodores opened the season on Friday with a convincing 80-41 win over Austin Peay, holding the Governors to a field goal percentage of 21.9 percent.
