GAME PREVIEW: Gardner-Webb Meets Old Foe VMI Monday Night
December 20, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | Live stats | Video
The Lead - Top Storylines for Monday's Game
1. The Matchup
Gardner-Webb and VMI meet for the first time since the Keydets made the switch to the Southern Conference prior to last season. VMI leads the all-time series, 8-4, after defeating the Runnin' Bulldogs in both match-ups during the 2013-2014 campaign. The Keydets outlasted Gardner-Webb, 108-104, in a four-overtime thriller the last time GWU and VMI met in Paul Porter Arena on February 5, 2014.
2. Last Time Out - Gardner-Webb 107, Warren Wilson 62
Gardner-Webb rebounded with an easy win over Warren Wilson on Friday morning, breaking the 100-point barrier for the second time this year despite committing a season-high 21 turnovers. Dylan Poston led five players in double figures with a career-high 20 points, as Tyrell Nelson recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Harold McBride and Laquincy Rideau each dished out eight assists as Rideau tallied a game- and season-high seven steals.
3. Nelson Inching Closer
Junior Tyrell Nelson is closing in on a significant personal milestone, entering Monday's matchup against VMI needing 59 points to reach the 1,000-point plateau for his career. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward has scored 169 points so far this season, and now stands at 941 in 79 career games as a Runnin' Bulldog. He currently ranks sixth in the program's Division I era.
4. 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 12 outings. Adonis Burbage has provided a significant scoring spark off the bench in each of the last nine games, averaging 9.6 points per contest while knocking down 43.2 percent of his attempts from three-point range.
5. Taking a Look At VMI
First-year head coach Dan Earl has VMI off to a 3-6 start this season, which includes a 76-61 win over Presbyterian on November 24. The Keydets - historically known for their high-flying offensive units - are averaging 69.8 points per contests through nine games. QJ Peterson leads the way for VMI, averaging 20.1 points per game to pace the Southern Conference. Julian Eleby is second on the team with 15.6 points per game as Phillip Anglade leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per contest.
