Who? The Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb.
What? Some Googling suggests that their mascot's name is Max. I can't find corroboration on the site, so you're going to have to trust me. That's one scary looking mascot, though.
Where? Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
When? March 13th, in High Point, North Carolina.
Why? Because they won the Big South conference tournament.
How?Monique Hudson's 23 points led the way for the Runnin' Bulldogs, and LaTroya Pope's floater provided the necessary points, as Gardner-Webb held off Liberty 67-66.
Surprise? Yes- but not quite as much as you think. The last two years, Liberty has needed a last-second shot to beat Gardner-Webb in the Big South tournament.
Who's driving this thing, anyway? Rick Reeves, since 2005. Seems to believe in keeping it all in the family- the associate head coach is his daughter Krystal.
RPI: 151
SOS: 280
Record: 23-10 (11-5)
Best win: Liberty (N). Sometimes the best win is the one that gets you there.
Worst loss: Appalachian State (A), and it was a butt-whupping.
Notable results: Purdue (H, L, 59-58), which my Big Ten peeps might recall being a return match and revenge for G-W's win at Mackey last year. Losing by nine at Oklahoma is nothing to be ashamed of, either.
Twins Monique and Dominique Hudson lead this team: the senior guards are the only two who score in double figures, with Monique putting in 13.6 points per game and Dominique adding 12.9. Monique shoots more threes; Dominique takes more free throws. Senior forward LaTroya Pope intrigues me for forcing more turnovers than she commits (49 steals, 48 turnovers).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pass out and try very hard not to think about the 33 at-larges that will be announced tomorrow.