Samford’s men’s basketball is on pace to have their best season since the university joined the Southern Conference in 2008. The Bulldogs need three more wins to tie their season record of 24, which was set in 1998. With seven games remaining in the regular season and a win streak record of 17 games already under their belt, this iteration of Samford basketball is proving to be one of the best in program history.
Beginning in 2021, the Bulldogs have had three straight 20-win seasons. Bucky McMillan has risen through the coaching ranks of the SoCon, having won two straight Coach of the Year awards and is on pace for a third. With the transfer of Ques Glover and losses of Logan Dye and Bubba Parham, Samford entered 2023 with more questions than answers.
However, plenty of stars have risen, including A.J. Staton-McCray, Rylan Jones, Achor Achor and Jaden Campbell. All average above eight points a game and have each had winning moments for the Bulldogs. But, according to Jones, the success Samford has seen this season all comes back to the man at the helm.
“He [Bucky] has made me a better leader and better player because of his passion for coaching and how he sees the game,” Jones said, “Under Bucky I have expanded my IQ and have been pushed to play to another level.”
With the return of Jermaine Marshall from injury, Samford has only gotten stronger. Many national pundits, including Joe Lunardi, Jon Rothstein and John Fanta, have each projected Samford to be a serious threat in the NCAA Tournament.
One key to March success is health, and Jermaine Marshall is grateful that he is back and ready to go.
“It’s been a long process, but our trainer Brad has done an incredible job getting me back right and healthy,” Marshall. “A lot of times I didn’t feel like going to rehab and was losing faith. He was right there with me encouraging me and working through it.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, Marshall showed how big of a lift he could be to the team. While trailing University of North Carolina Greensboro later in the second half, Marshall went on a scoring tear, propelling Samford to a 78-69 victory.
“I actually thought all my shots were going to go in so the ones I missed I was surprised,” said Marshall.
Marshall scored 16 points in the win against UNCG. Jaden Campbell was equally impressive, going 5-5 from the field, including three three-pointers, scoring 17 in the win. Achor continued his strong play, scoring 16 points.
After a blowout win over VMI, Samford is back in the Pete Hanna Center, playing host to Western Carolina. Bulldog fans can expect competition to be kicked into high gear in the final stretch of the season, as Samford will look to win the SoCon and head to March Madness for the first time in 24 years.
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