Samford's 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University basketball team officially released its 2016-17 schedule Thursday as the Bulldogs announced a 31-game slate featuring tough road contests against Cincinnati, Florida State, Saint Louis and South Alabama, as well as 15 key home games to be held in the Pete Hanna Center, including a highly-anticipated matchup with in-state foe Jacksonville State.
 
"I really like this schedule," said Samford head coach Scott Padgett. "I really think we're going to get challenged a lot early in the season. With how big of a jump we've made this year, I think a lot of these games will be winnable games, but we're definitely going to be challenged. This is a very competitive schedule and I like that we're going to get out to the West Coast and let our guys see a new part of the country."
 
Samford will open its 2016-17 campaign with four-consecutive road games against San Diego, New Mexico State, Campbell and Cincinnati. The Bulldogs' matchups with San Diego and New Mexico State will be a part of the 2016 San Diego Classic. Included with the aforementioned road games, Samford will also play host to Bethune-Cookman and Nicholls State on Nov. 26-27, as part of the five-team competition.
 
The Bulldogs' road test at Campbell on Nov. 21, will be the return trip of a three-year, two-game series with the Camels. Two seasons ago, on Dec. 28, 2014, Samford played host to Campbell and earned a significant 65-56 victory at home in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Following their two-game homestand against Bethune-Cookman and Nicholls State, the Bulldogs will take to the road for a marquee matchup with Saint Louis and the Billikens' new head coach Travis Ford on Nov. 29. Samford hasn't played at Saint Louis in nearly eight years since Dec. 13, 2008, when the Bulldogs dropped a 70-49 decision to Rick Majerus' Billikens.
 

"Travis Ford and I obviously know each other," Padgett said. "His dad actually ran my AAU program when I was in high school, so I've known him a long time going back to 1993. This is his first season at Saint Louis, and he's in a rebuilding process with that team, but he's going to have them playing hard and playing an exciting style of basketball. Mixed in with our style as well, it should be a very exciting game."
 
In early December, Samford will play host to back-to-back, in-state opponents Jacksonville State (Dec. 4) and Miles College (Dec. 10). Last season, the Bulldogs earned victories against both squads with a road triumph over Jacksonville State on Dec. 1, 77-71, and a home win versus Miles College on Dec. 29, 104-76.
 
In Samford's 28-point victory against Miles College last season, the Bulldogs turned in their highest scoring output in nearly 17 years, dating back to Jan. 2, 1999, in a 105-75 victory at Troy.
 
Samford's three games prior to its Christmas break will be consecutive road matchups at South Alabama (Dec. 16) and Florida State (Dec. 19), as well as a key home test against Florida A&M on Dec. 22. Last season, the Bulldogs dropped a heart-breaking 72-70 double-overtime home loss to South Alabama, but defeated Florida A&M on the road, 86-67.
 
"Florida State will have one of the most talented, athletic rosters of any team that we've faced in the five years that I've been here," said Padgett. "I would put them in the same category as the Louisville team that we played a few seasons ago. So, we're going to have our work cut out for us when we face them, but it will be a good experience for the team."
 
Samford will open Southern Conference play on New Year's Eve on the road against UNCG. The Bulldogs will then conclude their weekend road swing with another tough matchup at Western Carolina.
 
Late in the season, Samford will embark on a three-game SoCon road stretch against Wofford, Furman and ETSU. Last year, ETSU, Furman and Wofford finished the 2015-16 campaign ranked second, third and fourth in the final conference standings, respectively.
 
"That's going to be a tough road swing where if we can find a way to win one or two of those big road games, then you're really going to put yourself in a good position," said Padgett. "ETSU, Furman and Wofford are all going to be picked very high in the preseason standings again this season, so that stretch of games will really be critical for the conference race this year."
 
The Bulldogs boast two huge three-game homestands in conference play this season. Early in 2017, Samford will play host to Furman, Wofford and Mercer from Jan. 5-11, in the Pete Hanna Center and will also welcome VMI, Chattanooga and The Citadel to Birmingham for highly-anticipated home matchups listed Feb. 18-25.
 
"We're definitely going to get tested early on in conference play, but we can also take advantage of those games and really put ourselves in a great position," Padgett said. "The league is getting better and better every year and we're at the point now where there aren't any easy matchups. That makes for exciting league play, but you definitely need to take advantage of those early homestands where you can set the tone for the season."
 
Samford's final game of the regular season will be held in Macon, Georgia, on the road against Mercer. The 2017 SoCon Tournament will be held March 3-6, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

Samford's 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
Buy Season Tickets HERE