Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #136
Conference Rank: #2 Big South
Gardner-Webb reached their first ever NCAA Tournament last season and gave Virginia a tough game in the first round. This Runnin’ Bulldogs squad loses David Efianayi and DJ Laster, but they are bringing in the top recruiting class in the Big South and that should help keep Gardner-Webb towards the top of the conference for years to come.
2018-19 Record: 23-12, 10-6
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tim Craft
Coach Record: 111-90 at Gardner-Webb, 111-90 overall
Key Departed Players:
David Efianayi, Guard, 18.2 ppg
DJ Laster, Forward, 13.6 ppg
Brandon Miller, Center, 2.2 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Jose Perez, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 15.1 ppg
Nate Johnson, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Eric Jamison Jr, Senior, Forward, 7.0 ppg
Jaheam Cornwall, Junior, Guard, 6.2 ppg
Christian Turner, Senior, Guard, 2.9 ppg
Justin Jenkins, Senior, Guard, 2.3 ppg
Key New Players:
Gabe Bryant, Freshman, Center
Sammy Itodo, Freshman, Center
Nick Lynott, Freshman, Guard
Kareem Reid, Freshman, Forward
Anthony Selden, Freshman, Guard
Lance Terry, Freshman, Guard
Erick Valdez, Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Sophomore Jose Perez figures to be the new top scorer on the team. As a freshman last season he averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. At 6-5, Perez can use his size to attack the basket or shoot over smaller defenders. Nate Johnson is a very productive shooter as well. The 6-3 junior hit 62 three-pointers at a 38.7 percent clip. Add Jaheam Cornwall to the mix and Gardner-Webb will continue to be a very good three-point shooting team even without Efianayi. Eric Jamison will be the new leader of the frontcourt after averaging 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds. The frontcourt will get a big boost from freshman Kareem Reid. The 6-9, 205 pound Queens, New York native was a huge pick up for the Running’ Bulldogs and he has the talent to make a big impact from day one. With a handful of other talented freshmen providing depth, Gardner-Webb should compete for a Big South regular season title and make a push for their second trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.7 (56th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.5 (152, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.7 (13, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (56, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (143, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.1 (11, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.1 (161, 9)
Rebound Margin: -1.1 (230, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (92, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.6 (61, 5)
