Where is Gardner-Webb?
The Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, as a 16-seed, have the Virginia Cavaliers on the ropes in March Madness, but where is the Cinderella candidate from?
The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs are not a college basketball team that many are familiar with. Hailing from Boiling Springs, NC with an enrollment of under 3,000 undergraduate students, it’s not unreasonable to have not heard of the school or team prior to the 2019 NCAA Tournament. That has the potential to change on Friday in the First Round of March Madness, though.
Earning a No. 16 seed in March Madness by winning the Big South Tournament, Gardner-Webb went 23-11 in the regular season, but many thought that their year would end as they faced a First Round date with the No. 1 seed Virginia Cavaliers. However, as UVA became the first 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed just last year, the Bulldogs were hoping to make it two years in a row.
After scoring the first basket of the game against Virginia, Gardner-Webb showed tremendous poise and talent on the big stage of the NCAA Tournament. Not only did the Bulldogs make shots, but they turned up the defensive pressure in a massive way, forcing the Cavaliers into tough shots and bad decisions resulting in turnovers.
As a result, the Bulldogs were able to not just stay ahead of the Cavaliers, but build a sizeable lead. With under eight minutes remaining in the first half, they were ahead 28-14 over Virginia. Furthermore, they withstood a late first-half run from Tony Bennett’s team as they went into the locker room up 36-30 at halftime.
Again, many people probably couldn’t tell you that Gardner-Webb is in Boiling Springs, NC prior to Friday’s action. However, with what they’re showing against Virginia, the small town and university could be put on the map in an unmistakable fashion for the rest of college basketball history.