Samford men’s basketball coach Lennie Acuff says the Bulldogs have taken a step forward this offseason, pointing to the development of returning players, a deeper roster and a strong culture heading into the 2026-27 season.
“I’m really, really proud of the guys that came back and their growth,” Acuff said. “Several of those guys have made a big, big jump. They’ve done a great job of setting the standard and being the example, and that’s been good for our new guys as well.”
Samford will have to replace two major pieces from last season’s team. Jadin Booth exhausted his eligibility after leading the nation in 3-pointers and earning SoCon Player of the Year honors, while Dylan Faulkner transferred to Clemson after averaging 17.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Faulkner was a First Team All-SoCon selection and recorded 12 double-doubles last season.
Acuff said landing Birmingham products Ty Davis and Winn Miller wasn’t about recruiting locally. Instead, it was about bringing in players who fit the program.
“We’re trying to get the best players we can get that belong at Samford,” Acuff said. “They both belong at Samford, and they’ve both had a really good summer.”
One player who has made perhaps the biggest leap this offseason is returning forward Will Shaver.
“Night and day. Not even the same person,” Acuff said. “The last two weeks he’s been fantastic. He’s really worked to get in shape, he’s played well in practice, and he’s shown up.”
Acuff added that Shaver, along with Diggy and Cade, has been among the team’s most improved players after logging significant minutes last season. He also praised Caleb Harrison and Judson Bjornstad for the progress they’ve made over the summer.
Overall, Acuff believes this year’s Bulldogs are much deeper than the team he coached a season ago.
“I’m very confident we’re deeper—much deeper than we were last year,” he said.
One newcomer who has quickly impressed the coaching staff is nearly seven-foot freshman Lawson Lee.
“He’s super talented,” Acuff said. “He’s right at seven foot. He can move, he can shoot, he’s athletic, and he wants to be good.”
Acuff believes the foundation for this season was established during the team’s late-season surge last year and strengthened by the number of players who chose to return.
“I thought at the end of last year those guys really said, ‘Okay, this is the bar,’” Acuff said. “The way they played in February gave us momentum going into this year. Having guys that could have left come back means a lot.”
The Bulldogs already have four guaranteed road games on the schedule with trips to UNLV, UAB, Alabama and Georgia Tech. Acuff said Samford is still working to finalize two additional non-conference games.
After last season’s demanding non-conference schedule that included trips to Texas, Arkansas and Cancun, Mexico, Acuff is hoping for a few shorter road trips this year.
“We’re trying to stay a lot closer to home,” Acuff said. “It’d be nice if we could get a couple games we can get on the bus.”
Samford is also preparing for its preseason slate, which includes the annual Boutwell Auditorium exhibition against Alabama A&M on Nov. 13 for the second consecutive season, a closed scrimmage and an exhibition game at Jacksonville State later in the month.
After completing an eight-week summer workout program, Acuff said his players have earned a break before returning for the fall.
“I feel like we’ve had one lap around the track,” Acuff said. “I know what to expect now. I think our guys are excited about what’s ahead, and I’m looking forward to it.”
With a deeper roster, improved returning players and several talented newcomers, this Samford team appears poised to take another step forward and should be one to watch during the 2026-27 season.
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