Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs

The Runnin’ Bulldogs were never favored in 2025-26 and won four games, but they covered 16 of 29 spreads. Backing them to win outright cost 17.05 units, a loss only four Division I teams exceeded.

The spread, not the scoreboard

Gardner-Webb went 4-29; only two Division I teams won a smaller share. It was the underdog in 30 games, a count one team passed and three matched, and the favorite in none. Against the spread it covered 16 of 29 lined games, 55.2%. At home the cover rate was 7 of 10, a mark 22 Division I teams beat and one equalled.

The moneyline

One unit on Gardner-Webb in each of the 28 priced games lost 17.05. On the road it was 0-16, and the 14 priced road games cost 14 units; only three teams lost more away, one the same. The defense allowed 85.45 points a game, a figure three programs finished behind.

February

The first 11 games were all losses, through 6 December. February went 0-8 straight up and 7-1 against the spread, with numbers of 12.5 to 25.5 points against Gardner-Webb in seven of the eight games.

South Carolina Upstate

Both priced wins came against South Carolina Upstate: 67-65 at home at +440 on 23 January, and 65-64 in the Big South first round at +455. With a road loss in between, the three meetings covered every time and made 7.95 units. The quarterfinal was a 59-81 loss to High Point, covered as 27.5-point underdogs. The other two wins came over Brevard and Toccoa Falls, in games with no line.

The total

Sixteen overs and 14 unders, no lean.

The offense scored 68.12 a game, 17.33 fewer than it allowed.

Questions and answers