The Samford men’s basketball team is set to face a competitive challenge as they take on Furman in Southern Conference action tomorrow afternoon. The game will tip off at 4 p.m., with Samford entering with a record of 10-11, while Furman holds a stronger 14-7 record.
This matchup marks the 43rd meeting between the two teams, with Furman leading the historical series 30-12. Earlier this season, the teams clashed in Birmingham, where Furman narrowly edged out Samford with a 77-73 victory. In that game, Samford’s Dylan Faulkner showcased his skills with 19 points and Will Shaver contributed 15 points. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs faced difficulty containing Furman’s freshman guard Alex Wilkins, who dominated the court with a game-high 28 points.
Looking to build on their recent success, Samford ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Chattanooga 75-64 in their last outing, with Jadin Booth shining as the game’s leading scorer with 28 points, including six three-pointers. Booth continues to make a significant impact and currently leads the Southern Conference with an impressive 20.6 points per game. Together, Booth and Faulkner combined for 46 points against the Mocs, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. However, outside of these two, the Bulldogs struggled, hitting only 6-of-26 from the field against Chattanooga.
Samford’s disciplined style of play has them ranking fourth nationally in turnovers, averaging only 8.7 per game. Additionally, Faulkner is recognized for his aggressive style of play, ranking 10th in the country for free-throw attempts per game, while Booth is second in the nation for made three-pointers. The Bulldogs will aim to leverage their strengths as they prepare for this pivotal matchup against Furman, hoping to make a significant impact in the Southern Conference standings.