Samford vs. Bethune-Cookman  |  Nov. 26, 2016  |  7 p.m. (CST)  |  Pete Hanna Center
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Samford vs. Nicholls State  |  Nov. 27, 2016  |  7 p.m. (CST)  |  Pete Hanna Center
Video - - Audio - - Live Stats - - Tickets - - Game Notes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Last season, Samford's Demetrius Denzel-Dyson and Alex Thompson formed a special bond. Both players transferred to the beautiful Birmingham campus following their sophomore season at a larger school and found themselves as roommates and redshirting juniors on the Bulldogs' basketball team.
 
Not only did they share a dorm room, but they also played on the scout team every day in practice.
 
"We definitely grew close, because we had the similar bond of transferring in from a bigger school and having to sit out last season," said Thompson. "Also, every day we were on the scout team in practice together and I think that really helped us to develop some really good chemistry on the court, and almost a brotherhood off the court."
 
Demetrius-Dyson, the Bulldogs' lithe 6-foot-5 guard from Covington, Tennessee, transferred to Samford from UMass following his sophomore season with the Minutemen. In his second year at the Atlantic 10 Conference powerhouse, he appeared in 29 games, including all 18 conference contests.
 
In his final year at UMass, Demetrius-Dyson scored 96 points (3.3 ppg), grabbed 58 rebounds (2.0 rpg) and handed out 14 assists (0.5 apg). He also averaged 10.7 minutes per game to rank eighth on the team and committed just 11 turnovers in 310 minutes, while averaging just one every 28.2 minutes of action.
 
Despite putting up solid numbers at UMass, Demetrius-Dyson didn't feel as if he was a perfect fit. Therefore, he decided to transfer to Samford where he felt his strengths would be an ideal match for Head Coach Scott Padgett's fast-paced, high-scoring attack.
 
"I think my strengths this season will be shooting, defending, rebounding, playing hard and just trying to bring some overall energy to the arena," Denzel-Dyson said. "I'm just going to try to be the complete player this year."
 
Thompson, the 2013 Alabama Sports Writers Association Player of the Year, joined Auburn's basketball team following a stellar high school career.
 
Following his senior season at Houston Academy in Dothan, he proved to be one of three finalists for Alabama Mr. Basketball. Thompson also scored over 2,000 points in his high school career and averaged 25.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 steals per game at Houston Academy.
 
Thompson's 25.0 points per game was tops among all 2A all-state candidates and his 12.8 rebounds were second-most. A proven winner, he also helped Houston finish the year 25-7, advancing to the regional postseason tournament.
 
Heading into his junior season at Samford, Thompson's shooting prowess will be a huge bonus for the Bulldogs' squad that finished last in the SoCon in 3-point field goals made a year ago.
 
"Being able to stretch the floor as a big man who can shoot will definitely be a big strength for us," said Thompson. "My primary strength is 3-point shooting, then also just giving it 100 percent all the time is my thing as well. When I was at Auburn, that's how I was able to get on the floor, because I was always playing hard and giving it my all."
 
Following his freshman season, Auburn made a coaching change and the Tigers hired Bruce Pearl to head the basketball program. Under Pearl, Thompson played in 23 games and scored a career-high 16 points Auburn's opening-round Southeastern Conference Tournament victory over Mississippi State, but the dynamic shifted on the Plains.
 
Thompson chose to transfer following his sophomore season and found a nearby home at Samford University.
 
"The biggest things about Samford that I liked were Coach Padgett and the system that he runs and how I saw myself fitting into it offensively," Thompson said. "Also, the school comes with a tremendous amount of academic accolades and I know that a degree from here holds a lot of weight in the professional world, so that was big."
 
Despite finding a perfect basketball home prior to last season, both Denzel-Dyson and Thompson faced a tough proposition. Due to NCAA transfer rules, the pair was forced to sit out from competitive action throughout the 2015-16 campaign. They could practice with the team, but weren't allowed to play in any of the games or travel on road trips.
 
"It was hard to have to sit out a year," said Denzel-Dyson. "I'd never had to sit out a year before, but ultimately it helped me to learn the offense and to know what to do for this season. Because Alex and I were able to practice with the team last year, we have a great understanding of what are roles are going to be this season."
 
Samford finished the 2015-16 campaign with its highest win total in seven seasons, but suffered 10 losses by five points or less, including a 59-54 loss to conference champion Chattanooga in the quarterfinal round of the SoCon Tournament.
 
"We lost so many tough games last year by just two or three points," Denzel-Dyson said. "It was hard to have to sit there as we were losing those close games. I kept wishing I could get out on the court and help the team. Despite all of those tough losses, we had a pretty good season last year, but we're not going to sell ourselves short this year and we're going to make our fans proud and reach our goals."
 
Along with Denzel-Dyson and Thompson, Samford continues play in its 2016-17 season boasting six highly-touted freshmen who have joined returning starters Christen Cunningham and Wyatt Walker on the team's roster. The Bulldogs have also welcomed back the returning talent of Alex Peters, Eric Adams, Gerald Smith and Tanner Tapp.
 
"I think the sky's the limit for the team this year," Thompson said. "I don't even want to put a lid on it. I think we can be a championship team in the conference for sure. If all the parts come together and everybody plays their role and doesn't try to do too much, then I think we can be a special team."
 
Samford (2-2) will play at home for the first time this weekend as the Bulldogs host Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at 7 p.m. (CST) and Nicholls State on Sunday at 7 p.m. Both game are a part of the 2016 San Diego Classic, which was opened two weeks ago with road contests at San Diego and New Mexico State.
 
In its 2016-17 season opener, Samford rolled to an 83-65 road victory at San Diego before coming up short at New Mexico State on Nov. 16, 58-48. Therefore, the Bulldogs resume play in the San Diego Classic with a 1-1 record.
 
Samford picked up its second victory of the season Monday on the road at Campbell with a 66-53 triumph. The Bulldogs then squared off against Cincinnati on Wednesday and jumped out to a 16-point lead, 33-17, over the Bearcats late in the first half. Cincinnati rallied late in the contest and limited Samford to 20 points in the second period en route to a 70-55 home victory.
 
On Saturday at 7 p.m. (CST), the Bulldogs will welcome the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to the Pete Hanna Center for Samford's first home contest of the 2016-17 season.

Samford vs. Bethune-Cookman  |  Nov. 26, 2016  |  7 p.m. (CST)  |  Pete Hanna Center
Video - - Audio - - Live Stats - - Tickets - - Game Notes

Samford vs. Nicholls State  |  Nov. 27, 2016  |  7 p.m. (CST)  |  Pete Hanna Center
Video - - Audio - - Live Stats - - Tickets - - Game Notes