GAME PREVIEW: Gardner-Webb Continues Road Trip At George Washington Tuesday
November 23, 2015 | Men's Basketball
The Lead - Top Storylines For Tuesday'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 - Tennessee 89, GWU 64
Tennessee survived an upset scare midway through the second half, answering a Tyrell Nelson three-point play with a 34-7 run to pull away for an 89-64 win over Gardner-Webb. Harold McBride led the Runnin' Bulldogs with 17 points, three assists and three steals, while Nelson posted his second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
5. Taking a Look At George Washington
George Washington is off to a perfect 4-0 start to the season, including a 73-68 victory over then-sixth-ranked Virginia last week. The Colonials defeated Army, 92-81, on Sunday as five George Washington players scored in double figures. Three Colonials are averaging double digits in scoring, led by Patricio Garino at 17.8 points per game. Tyler Cavanaugh and Kevin Larsen lead the team in rebounding at 8.3 and 8.0 rebounds per game, respectively.
