The duo of Jadin Booth and Dylan Faulkner continues to lead Samford as the regular season winds down.
The Bulldogs came up short on the road against Mercer, but the bigger picture still tells a strong story. Samford has won six of its last seven games and is playing its best basketball at the right time of year.
It would be easy — and lazy — to run with the headline: “Samford’s six-game win streak comes to an end.” That ignores the growth this team has shown. Writing off this group would be a disservice to what Head Coach Lennie Acuff has built.
Acuff has this team organized, confident, and positioned to make a legitimate run in the Southern Conference Tournament.
With only two regular-season games remaining before the SoCon Tournament, the Bulldogs have placed themselves squarely in the mix heading to Asheville.
The Blueprint Is Clear
Samford has already shown what the formula looks like when everything clicks.
Look no further than last week’s win over Wofford at the Pete Hanna Center:
- Dylan Faulkner: 15 points, 12 rebounds (double-double)
- Jadin Booth: 25 points
- Cade Norris: 17 points
- Keaton Norris: 14 points
- Zion Wilburn: 10 points
That is the blueprint.
When both Norris brothers reach double figures and Samford gets complementary scoring from Zion Wilburn or Kam Martin, the Bulldogs become extremely difficult to beat. Balanced production around Booth and Faulkner gives this team its ceiling.
Star Power at the Top
Jadin Booth is finishing his final season of college basketball in style. He currently ranks first in the nation in three-pointers made per game and continues to stretch defenses every night. His shooting opens the floor for everyone else.
Dylan Faulkner has been just as vital. The junior is averaging 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, providing the size and physical presence Samford needs inside. He anchors the paint and allows the Bulldogs to play inside-out.
First-year Samford head coach Lennie Acuff has already acknowledged that, if Jadin Booth had another year of eligibility, tampering would likely be a real concern. He’s also alluded to some questionable outreach involving Dylan Faulkner — but that’s a story for another time.
Under Acuff’s leadership, this group has bought into a balanced, disciplined style that travels — a critical trait in March.
Eyes on Asheville
The SoCon Tournament will not be easy. The league is competitive and built for tight postseason battles.
But Samford has already proven it can win high-level matchups. Six wins in seven games shows growth, maturity, and resilience — all signs of a team peaking at the right time.
Acuff has the Bulldogs in position. Now it’s about execution.
First, they must finish strong at home. Only two regular-season games remain, both at the Pete Hanna Center. Those games could provide the momentum Samford needs heading into Asheville.
If Booth stays hot, Faulkner controls the paint, and the supporting cast delivers timely scoring, Samford has a real chance to cut down the nets and punch its ticket to March.
Now is the time.
Get to the Pete.
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