Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
2020-21 record: 11-15, 10-10 in the Big South
Head coach: Tim Craft
Tenure at Gardner-Webb: 9th season
Career coaching record: 138-120
Home court: Paul Porter Arena
Starters: G Ludovic Dufeal, G Jordan Sears, G D’Maurian Williams, G Lance Terry, F Kareem Reid
Bench: G Anthony Selden, G Julien Soumaoro, G Leon Williams, G Brendan Mykalcio, F Ademide Badmus, F Zion Williams, C Sammy Itodo
Overview: Gardner-Webb’s .423 winning percentage for the 2020-21 season marked their first losing record since 2017-18. Inconsistent performances in conference play sat it at No. 6 going into the Big South tournament where it was edged out by No. 3 Campbell in the quarterfinals. The short-lived tournament run and losing record didn’t earn Gardner-Webb a spot in the NCAA tournament; the Runnin’ Bulldogs have had only one conference title and March Madness appearance, both in 2019.
The team’s roster for last season consisted of almost all guards, with only two forwards and center Sammy Itodo, who averaged 4.1 minutes per game. Now, the addition of graduate transfer Zion Williams gives the Runnin’ Bulldogs the opportunity to have a stronger presence inside the paint and give them more opportunities at the free-throw line. Last season, their opponents averaged 20.1 free throw attempts per game, while Gardner-Webb lagged behind at 16.9.
A standout player for the Gardner-Webb squad last season was Jaheam Cornwall, who led the team with 14.1 points per game and had 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists throughout the season. Before the 2020-21 season, he was the third-best returning 3-point shooter from the 2019-20 season at the Division I level nationally. Now that he’s graduated, the success of the team this season might depend on how well Lance Terry and D’Maurian Williams can continue to put up high scoring and improve on their offensive rebound capacity.
Team ceiling: Strong shooters like Williams and Terry and step up and make up for the loss of Cornwall and improve upon last season’s 44.4% field goal percentage and 2.3 scoring margin. If Terry and Kareem Reid lead the team defensively and remain aggressive at the boards, the Runnin’ Bulldogs could overcome close losses and advance further in the Big South tournament.
Team floor: With Cornwall and Falko gone, the Runnin’ Bulldogs struggle to maintain good overall shooting and struggle to create an offensive identity. Dufeal and Anthony Selden continue to be strong defensive presences but fail to make a strong showing in terms of scoring. They stay in the middle of the Big South pack and see another early tournament exit.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.
Leah Boyd is a Pratt senior and a social chair of The Chronicle's 118th volume. She was previously editor-in-chief for Volume 117.