With the Southern Conference race tightening, tonight is a prime opportunity for Furman to cement its place in the top half of the standings and protect its home floor.
Furman (14-7, 5-3 SoCon) got back on track after an impressive 89-66 blowout win over UNCG last Friday. The Paladins showcased elite efficiency in that victory, proving they can still overwhelm quality opponents despite a shortened rotation. Samford (10-11, 3-5 SoCon) arrives in Greenville after putting away Chattanooga 75-64. While the Bulldogs’ overall record may not pop, they play an aggressive, high-possession style that can turn a game into a track meet in seconds.
The Paladins took the first meeting in Birmingham on January 14 with a gritty 77-73 win. Expect Samford to come out with plenty of fire looking to even the season series.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Under first-year head coach Lennie Acuff, the Bulldogs have maintained an aggressive offensive identity while implementing a more conceptual system than in years past.
• Jadin Booth: The graduate guard is the engine of the Bulldog offense, leading the team with 20.6 PPG. He is a perimeter threat who shoots 41.7% from deep and is coming off a massive 28-point performance against Chattanooga.
• Dylan Faulkner: A force on the interior, the junior forward averages 17.2 PPG and 7.2 RPG. Faulkner is incredibly efficient, shooting 61.9% from the field, and he will be the primary focus for Furman’s defense in the paint.
• Keaton Norris: The veteran point guard provides the leadership and playmaking for Acuff’s squad, averaging 10.2 PPG while leading the team with 4.8 assists per game.
• Isaiah Campbell-Finch: The freshman has been a consistent contributor off the bench and in the starting lineup, adding 7.6 PPG and providing extra athleticism on the wing.
The Paladin Pulse: “The Blender” is Humming
Furman’s identity has held firm despite the injuries to Cooper Bowser, and Asa Thomas. The return of a key veteran Tom House has stabilized the rotation just in time for the stretch run.
Tom House. Having House back in the lineup has changed the geometry of the court. Defenses cannot leave him, as he shot 7-10 from three against UNCG.
Alex Wilkins. He’s turning the ball over less, and navigating the pressure teams are bringing on him. His ability to create his own shot is a vital pressure valve for the Furman offense.
Charles Johnston. Johnston continues to be the most consistent interior presence in the league. Averaging 10.2 PPG and 9.5 RPG, he will be tasked with anchoring the defense against the physical Dylan Faulkner. Johnston’s ability to stay out of foul trouble against Samford’s aggressive drives is paramount.
Ben Vander Wal. Often the unsung hero, he provides the defensive versatility needed to switch onto Samford’s smaller, quicker guards.
Three Keys to the Game
1. Controlling Jadin Booth. Booth is Samford’s primary playmaker and can single-handedly take over a game. Furman must utilize their length and defensive discipline to keep Booth from getting comfortable.
2. Physicality in the Paint Dylan Faulkner is one of the most efficient post scorers in the conference. Charles Johnston cannot afford to give up easy position under the rim. Furman must also avoid foul trouble, as their lack of frontcourt depth makes every minute Johnston plays extremely valuable.
3. Maintaining Perimeter Efficiency Furman shot an incredible 52% from three-point range against UNCG. While that level of shooting is hard to repeat, the Paladins need to remain aggressive from deep. If House and Wilkins can knock down early looks, it will force Samford’s defense to stretch, allowing driving lanes for Bronson and Vander Wal.
The Outlook
This is a game of adjustments. Lennie Acuff’s Samford team is still finding its footing in conference play, while Furman seems to have embraced its identity as a gritty, efficient unit. If the Paladins can handle the Bulldogs’ pressure and win the rebounding battle, they should move to 6-3 in the SoCon.
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Good W. I don't think I've ever seen 3 offensive fouls called on one player in the same game before. 2 of those offensive fouls were very 50-50 judgment calls, so calling them both on Wilkins, especially the 5th and disqualifying foul was very questionable.
In fact, the only foul I think Wilkins deserved was the 4th, he did push off with his arm very unnecessarily. The first one, I didn't see since it was off-ball. Just the fact that it was off-ball so early in the game makes that one questionable.
Not sure about Vanderwal's 5th either, maybe he caught him on the wrist after the shot already flew. Craziness.
Johnston was pretty heroic on the boards, even though he had to contend with Faulkner who gave us fits. Great to see a confident House taking over on offense!