Game 18 - Samford

Game #18 - Samford Bulldogs
Location: Pete Hanna Center (4,974), Homewood, AL
Date: Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Series: The Cats lead the series 7-2, but are 2-2 in games at Samford Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV: none
Live Video: Samford Sports TV  (free)


Head Coach Bennie Seltzer is in his first season with the Bulldogs, and is fresh off a Charleston sweep this past weekend. Samford defeated the College of Charleston Cougars for the first time in school history on Thursday, then turned around on Saturday, and completed the sweep with a win at McAlister Fieldhouse over the Citadel Bulldogs. With Saturday's win, Samford (5-12, 3-1 SoCon) also earned their first victory at The Citadel in school history.

Samford's weekend wins, coupled with ASU's win over Greensboro, place both Samford & ASU in a tie for second place (3-1) in the north division, only a half game behind Western at 4-1.  Of course, Elon looms large in the rear view mirror for the Cats, at 2-2.

There's been a huge change in the Bulldogs’ offensive attack this season under Seltzer. Under former head coach Jimmy Tillette, Samford  ran a version of the Princeton offense.  This season, the Bulldogs offensive strategy by Seltzer utilizes fast breaks, pick and rolls and slashing cuts to the basket. The Bulldogs will also run an aggressive man to man defense.

Samford returns three starters from last season's team, on a roster that is one of the youngest in the Southern Conference, and just like Western Carolina, doesn't have a single senior on their roster. In Seltzer's youth movement, the Bulldogs generally start one junior, 2 sophomores, and two freshmen.

Sophomore guard Raijon Kelly (6-4 / 170) leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 14.9 ppg, while true freshman, and candidate for freshman of the year, Tim Williams (6-8 / 210) adds 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg. True freshman forward Clide Geffrard, Jr. (6-5 / 215) puts up 9.0 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

Samford has split home conference games so far, getting a win against Georgia Southern (57-48) and losing to Chattanooga, 74-70. The Bulldogs are 2-0 on the road in SoCon play, picking up wins against Charleston and the Citadel as discussed above. This will be a battle for the Catamounts, who are not playing particularly well, against a team that is surging.  To win, the Cats must protect the ball, limiting turnovers, as well as, limit fouls keeping the Bulldogs off the free throw line.

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