Furman And Samford Battle In High-Scoring SoCon Clash

All eyes were on Timmons Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, as the Samford Bulldogs rolled in to face the Furman Paladins in a highly anticipated Southern Conference clash on January 29, 2026. With tip-off at 5:00 p.m. and national coverage on CBS Sports Network, fans and analysts alike were eager to see if Furman could maintain its home-court advantage or if Samford might break their recent road woes.

Heading into this matchup, Furman (14-7 overall, 6-3 SoCon) was the clear favorite, boasting a -6.5 point spread and a moneyline of -285. The over/under was set at a lofty 148.5 points, a nod to the offensive firepower both teams have displayed throughout the season. Samford (10-11 overall, 3-6 SoCon), meanwhile, entered as the underdog with a +230 moneyline, but with recent performances suggesting they might be ready to surprise.

Furman’s statistical edge was hard to ignore. The Paladins have outscored opponents by an average of 7.6 points per game, putting up 77.7 points per contest while allowing just 70.1—good for 151st and 86th nationally, respectively. Their rebounding has been a key factor, averaging 35.9 boards per game, and they’ve been especially dominant at home, scoring nearly 80 points per game in Greenville. The Paladins’ offense hums on ball movement, with 16.8 assists per game leading all Southern teams, and their shooting inside the arc has been especially sharp—62% this season, the conference’s best mark.

Alex Wilkins has been the engine for Furman, leading the team with 17.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. He’s supported by Charles Johnston, who has been a force on the glass with 9.5 rebounds and 10.3 points per outing, and Asa Thomas, whose 3.1 made three-pointers per game and 41% accuracy from deep stretch opposing defenses. As head coach Bob Richey noted earlier in the week, "We’re at our best when we move the ball and trust each other. Alex and Charles have really set the tone for us on both ends."

Furman’s defense has been equally impressive, limiting opponents to just 1.16 points per shot—again, tops in the Southern Conference. The Paladins rarely send opponents to the free-throw line, ranking 18th nationally in that category, and have held their own both inside and outside, with Ben Vanderwal (1.1 steals per game) and Johnston (0.8 blocks per game) anchoring their efforts.

Samford, on the other hand, has been something of an enigma this season. The Bulldogs have struggled on the road, losing three consecutive away games before this trip to Greenville. Yet, their offense remains potent, averaging 77.4 points per game (162nd nationally) and connecting on 9.5 threes per game—good for 62nd in Division I. The Bulldogs have also been relentless in attacking the rim, leading the conference in free throw attempts with 21.2 per game since the start of the 2023-24 season.

The Bulldogs are led by dynamic scorer Jadin Booth, who pours in 20.6 points per game and is a threat from beyond the arc with 4.1 made threes per contest. Booth’s efforts are complemented by Dylan Faulkner, who averages 17 points and 7.2 rebounds, and point guard Keaton Norris, who boasts an impressive 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and 4.8 assists per game. As head coach Lennie Acuff, in his first season after arriving from Lipscomb, remarked, "We’ve seen flashes of what we can be, especially when Jadin and Dylan are aggressive. It’s about putting together a full 40 minutes on both ends."

Despite their offensive prowess, Samford’s Achilles’ heel has been defense. Ranked 307th nationally in defensive effectiveness, the Bulldogs have allowed opponents to shoot nearly 40% from three-point range—a vulnerability that could be problematic against a Furman squad that isn’t shy about letting it fly from deep. Still, Samford’s ability to force turnovers (third nationally) and defend the interior without fouling has kept them competitive in most league games.

Historically, the matchup between these two teams has been tight. In their previous meeting earlier this season, Furman edged Samford 77-73 in a game defined by poor outside shooting (just 13-of-51 combined from three). That contest was played at a brisk 70-possession pace, and both teams are expected to push the tempo again. Notably, Furman’s most recent outing saw them hit 14-of-27 from deep against UNC Greensboro, suggesting their shooters are heating up at just the right time.

Betting trends have also added intrigue to this contest. Furman has hit the 1H Game Total Under in 11 of their last 16 home games and has been profitable on the moneyline at home (winning 11 of their last 16). Samford, meanwhile, has consistently hit the Game Total Over in recent outings and has been especially effective at surpassing the 1H Game Total Over in 19 of their last 31 games. Both teams have been middling against the spread—Furman at 8-10, Samford at 8-11—underscoring the unpredictable nature of this matchup.

With both teams combining to average over 155 points per game, the over/under of 148.5 looked enticing to many analysts. In fact, some experts predicted a high-scoring affair, with one preview noting: "If we get decent shooting, this should go over. My pick: Over 148.5 (Play to 150)."

Key matchups to watch included Wilkins’ ability to penetrate and create for Furman’s shooters, as well as Booth’s scoring bursts for Samford. The battle in the paint between Faulkner and Johnston promised to be physical, with both teams looking to exploit mismatches inside. Furman’s depth, with four players averaging double figures, could be a deciding factor if the game turned into a shootout.

As the game tipped off, the tension was palpable. Could Furman capitalize on their home-court advantage and keep pace in the SoCon race? Would Samford’s offensive firepower finally translate to a signature road win? With both teams hungry for a statement victory, fans were treated to an electric atmosphere and the promise of more drama as the night unfolded.

As of this writing, the action at Timmons Arena is ongoing, with both teams battling for every possession and the outcome still very much in doubt. One thing’s for sure: with so much talent on display and postseason implications on the line, this Southern Conference showdown is living up to the hype.