October 14, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb men's basketball team is preparing for the 2026-27 season following the release of the Big South Conference preseason poll, which selected the Runnin' Bulldogs ninth.
With a revamped roster and an ambitious non-conference schedule ahead, Gardner-Webb enters the season focused on continued growth and building momentum under head coach Jeremy Luther.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have added a mix of experienced transfers and promising newcomers as they prepare for the upcoming season. The incoming group includes Seth Brown, an All-PacWest Second Team selection at Fresno Pacific, DJ Daniel, an All-Mountain East Conference Second Team honoree at Frostburg State, and Mikhail Pocknett, a First Team All-Conference Carolinas selection at King University. The trio brings collegiate experience and proven production to Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb also returns senior guard Ace Talbert, who earned Big South All-Academic Team honors following the 2025-26 season. Talbert averaged 6.9 points per game last season and connected on 34 three-pointers, providing valuable experience on both ends of the floor.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will face a challenging test early in the season, opening the campaign Nov. 2 at UConn before traveling to Texas on Nov. 5. Gardner-Webb opens the home portion of its schedule Nov. 11 against Erskine at Paul Porter Arena before continuing its non-conference slate.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will begin Big South play Jan. 1 at Winthrop, with the conference tournament scheduled for March 3-7 in Johnson City, Tenn.
The full preseason poll and Big South Presesaon All-Conference teams are listed below.
Rk Team (first-place votes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Points
1. High Point (7) 7 2 - - - - - - - 79
2. Presbyterian College (2) 2 4 2 - 1 - - - - 69
3. Winthrop - 2 3 1 2 1 - - - 57
4. Longwood - 1 3 3 1 - - 1 - 54
5. UNC Asheville - - - 2 4 2 1 - - 43
6. Radford - - - 3 - 1 3 1 1 34
7. Charleston Southern - - 1 - - 4 3 - 1 33
8. USC Upstate - - - - 1 - 1 6 1 21
9. Gardner-Webb - - - - - 1 1 1 6 15
Note: points are based on a weighted system. First-place votes received 9 points, followed by 8 points for second-place, and so on.
2026-27 Big South Conference Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
First-Team
Cam'Ron Fletcher, High Point (Preseason Player of the Year)
Jason Rivera Torres, High Point
Jaylen Peterson, Presbyterian
Carl Parrish, Presbyterian
CJ Brown, High Point
Second-Team
Alphonzo Billups III, Longwood
Isaac Garrett, High Point
Triston Wilson, Presbyterian
MJ Williams, Longwood
Spence Sims, Winthrop
