GAME PREVIEW: Gardner-Webb Opens Barclays Center Classic Against Lions Friday
November 26, 2015 | Men's Basketball
The Lead - Top Storylines For Friday'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 - George Washington 94, GWU 65
George Washington rode several hot shooters en route to a 94-65 win over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, knocking down 54.4 percent of its attempts from the floor - including a 58.1 percent clip in the first half - while connecting on 10-of-21 from downtown. Adonis Burbage led the Runnin' Bulldogs with 15 points, including 13 in the second half, while David Efianayi continued his strong start with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
5. Taking a Look At Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana are off to an identical 1-4 start as the Runnin' Bulldogs after falling to No. 24 Cincinnati, 64-49, on Tuesday. Jay Jackson leads the Lions in scoring at 13.8 points per game after posting 15 points and five rebounds against the Bearcats. Keith Charleston is averaging a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game for Southeastern Louisiana.
