Preview: Samford Looks to Avenge Earlier Loss at Furman

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (Interstat) — The Furman Paladins will host the Samford Bulldogs in a Southern Conference men’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Timmons Arena.

Furman (14-7 overall) enters with a stronger record and the confidence of a 77-73 road victory over Samford just two weeks ago, on Jan. 14. The Paladins are coming off a dominant 89-66 win at UNC Greensboro last Friday, where Cole Bowser posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Alex Wilkins led all scorers in that game with 27 points.

Samford (10-11) seeks to even the season series and build momentum after snapping a four-game skid with a 75-64 home win over Chattanooga last Saturday. The Bulldogs are led by guard Jadin Booth, who scored 28 points in that victory. Booth has been a consistent high-volume scorer, averaging 24.1 points over his last eight games, including a 31-point effort against Western Carolina and a 39-point outing against Chattanooga.

Bowser, a key interior presence for Furman, was limited to 17 minutes in the first meeting but contributed 8 points in the win. His performance on the boards will be critical against a Samford team that saw Dylan Faulkner grab 13 rebounds against Chattanooga.

The Paladins have been strong at home this season, while Samford has struggled on the road, with recent losses at Wofford, Chattanooga and UNC Greensboro. Furman’s balance, featuring Bowser inside and scorers like Wilkins and Tom House on the perimeter, will challenge a Samford defense that allows an average of 78.6 points in conference play.

Samford’s path to an upset likely runs through another explosive night from Booth, who was held to 12 points in the first matchup. Containing him will be a primary focus for the Furman defense.

Thursday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs. Following this game, Furman will host Chattanooga on Sunday, while Samford travels to face Western Carolina on Saturday.