GAME PREVIEW: 'Dogs To Host Warren Wilson In Kids Day Game On Friday Morning
December 17, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | Live Stats | Video
The Lead - Top Storylines for Friday's Game
1. The Matchup
Gardner-Webb and Warren Wilson meet for the first time in almost 40 years, last facing each other in 1975 when the Runnin' Bulldogs defeated the Owls, 137-73. The Runnin' Bulldogs are 1-1 in Paul Porter Arena this season, while the Owls own a 3-4 record away from home. Gardner-Webb has won both match-ups in the all-time series.
2. Senior Leadership
The Runnin' Bulldog starting five has featured at least three seniors in every game this season, with Harold McBride, Dylan Poston, Isaiah Ivey and Herve Aholode playing a big role in getting Gardner-Webb going in each of the team's first 11 outings. Adonis Burbage has provided a significant scoring spark off the bench in each of the last seven games, averaging 9.8 points per contest while knocking down 43.6 percent of his attempts from three-point range.
3. Craft Era Hits Year Three
Tim Craft is in 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 - LSU 78, Gardner-Webb 57
LSU held Gardner-Webb to a field goal percentage of 33 percent, including a 24 percent clip in the first half, while out-rebounding the Runnin' Bulldogs by a 54-35 margin en route to a 78-57 win on Wednesday night. Harold McBride led all scorers with 19 points on the night, hitting 5-of-6 from long range to rise to 17th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (49.2%). Ben Simmons, the projected top overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, posted a double-double with 1 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for LSU.
5. Taking a Look At Warren Wilson
Warren Wilson is off to a 7-8 start to the season, including an 81-64 setback to common opponent Toccoa Falls College on November 6. Justin Goneya leads the line for the Owls at 14.0 points per game, shooting 40 percent from the floor and 86.3 percent from the charity stripe. Tyler Triplett and Steve Horton, Jr. are averaging 9.6 and 9.3 points per game, respectively, while Thomas Hay leads the team in rebounding at 4.9 boards per contest.
