Gardner-Webb didn't leave the Atlantic Sun empty-handed.

The Big South-bound Bulldogs made the conference's biggest headlines with an upset win at Kentucky to kick off the season, then grabbed two of the league's most prestigious individual awards on their way out the door. Thomas Sanders claimed Player of the Year honors and Nate Blank was named Freshman of the Year.

Sanders, a 6-4 senior forward who also made the All-Atlantic Sun first team, was the first Bulldog to average a double-double in points and rebounds since Stan Easterling in 1987-88. Blank, a 6-5 forward who was a unanimous pick for the All-Freshman squad, averaged 11.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in conference play.

Gardner-Webb tied for fifth in the A-Sun, three spots above the preseason predictions.

Perhaps more importantly, the Bulldogs proved they could compete in their new league by going 3-2 against Big South schools. They went 1-1 against Charleston Southern, 1-1 against Radford and 1-0 against High Point.

"We wanted to see them play so we could get an idea of the style of play in the league, to see what we'll be facing," head coach Rick Scruggs told Mid-Majority.com. "It's not going to tell us about everybody, but I think we've gained a good idea of what we have to do to be competitive."

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