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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Samford University basketball team will begin play in its highly-anticipated 2017-18 regular-season schedule Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs meet the Arkansas Razorbacks in a monster opening-game showdown to be held at Bud Walton Arena.
 
The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN3 with Brett Dolan and Manny Watkins calling the action.
 
SAMFORD BASKETBALL PRE-GAME CAPSULE
Samford Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks | Friday, Nov. 10

TIP:  7:01 p.m. (CT), at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.

SAMFORD
1). The Bulldogs (0-0) open their 2017-18 campaign Friday with aspirations of continuing their solid play from last year's 20-16 season, in which they earned their first postseason victory in school history.
 
2). Last year, Samford reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time since the program's inception 116 years ago in 1901. It was also the Bulldogs' fifth 20-win campaign since moving to Division I in 1972-73.
 
3). Samford returns all five starters from last year's team, and has added the talent of junior guard Justin Coleman, who redshirted last season after transferring from Alabama.
 
4). Additionally, Samford returns 12 of its 13 players from last year, including 97-percent of the Bulldogs' scoring production.
 
5). Samford head coach Scott Padgett, who starred at Kentucky during his collegiate playing days, competed in two games in Bud Walton Arena during his time in the Southeastern Conference.
 
ARKANSAS
1). The Razorbacks (0-0) open their 95th season of basketball in 2017-18, as well as the seventh under Head Coach Mike Anderson.
 
2). Arkansas is one of three high-major programs in the country with at least six seniors on its team this season, joining Minnesota and TCU.
 
3). Both teams Arkansas will play on opening weekend are ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25 poll, with Bucknell checking in at No. 6, followed by Samford at No. 20.
 
4). The Razorbacks were picked to finish sixth in the SEC by the media and has finished higher than it was picked each of the last four seasons.
 
5). Arkansas returns three of its top five scorers, 62 percent of minutes played, 59 percent of scoring and 53 percent of rebounding from last year's team.
 
INSIDE STUFF
During his playing days, Samford assistant coach Sidney Ball played for Arkansas' Anderson at UAB and proved to be a key factor in the Blazers' historic upset victory over No. 1-ranked Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2004 NCAA Tournament.

NEXT
Samford will next be in action Monday at 7 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs return to Birmingham, Alabama, for their 2017-18 home-opening contest against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs to be held at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
TWITTER
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordHoopsFOE and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.

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