NCAA Basketball: In-depth look at Gardner-Webb star DQ Nicholas

Expectations for Nicholas in 2023-24

Gardner-Webb ended the season with a losing record last year but was still able to finish in the top half of the Big South. Heading into this season the Bulldogs are a team who is going to be one of the favorites in the deep Big South. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have a large portion of their roster back from last year and went out and got deeper with some additions from the transfer portal. Coach Craft has a good team on his hands this season and to top it all off Coach Craft may also have his best player he has had while at Gardner-Webb in Nicholas.

Nicholas is never going to be the first one off the bus. He is only 6’1” and weighs 180 pounds but he has no problem going to the basket and banging around with the trees. If you leave him open he can make you pay either with a pass or by burying a three. Do not let his size deter you from his overall talent.

The point guard impacts the game in so many ways and if he can continue to score with the efficiency we all saw at SEMO he is going to have a huge year and is going to take home some hardware for the first time in his career. All Conference teams and likely more in the near future for the super senior. A great season should secure the point guard his only conference Player of the Year win. It is the last year in college for Nicholas and he is going to make it count.

Nicholas, like every player in the country, would trade all of the conference recognition in for a chance to play in the NCAA tournament. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have just as good of a chance as anyone in the Big South to see that dream reached. The league is a one-bid league and it is going to come down to the team playing their best basketball in March. Coach Craft brings back a lot of production from last year including Julian Soumaoro and Caleb Robinson. Those two will provide the extra scoring punch for Gardner-Webb and help create a nice trio with Nicholas.

Gardner-Webb has one of the oldest teams in the Big South and that is only going to help them as the season progresses. Look for their point guard DQ Nicholas to be a prime breakout player in the Big South.