GAME NOTES--SAMFORD AT VCU (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford men's basketball program will play at the VCU Rams Friday evening at 6 p.m. (CT) at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, Va.
 
Friday night's game will mark just the third-ever meeting between Samford and VCU in men's basketball, with the Rams owning a 2-0 series lead. The teams met twice during the 1977-78 season, with VCU winning the first meeting, 67-59, in Richmond, and the second, 71-63 at the BJCC in a Samford home game.  
 
Samford enters the game with a record of 0-1 after opening the season at second-ranked Purdue Monday evening. Jaden Campbell led Samford with 11 points in the loss. Samford was picked to finish fourth in the Preseason SoCon Coaches Poll and tied with Western Carolina for second in the Media Poll announced on Oct. 25. Senior forward Jermaine Marshall was tabbed Preseason All-SoCon for the second-straight season. 
 
The Bulldogs return nine players from the SoCon Regular-Season Championship squad in 2022-23, including starters Marshall and A.J. Staton-McCray. Marshall, who was named to the 2022-23 All-SoCon Media second team, led the Bulldogs and ranked sixth in the conference in rebounding at 6.5 boards per contest. The 2023 Preseason All-SoCon selection averaged 13.3 points last season for Samford and averaged 14.6 points per game in conference play. Staton-McCray came on strong for the Bulldogs, starting the final nine games and averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds over that span. The junior guard led the SoCon last season with a pace of 1.8 steals per contest.
 
The VCU Rams posted a record of 27-8 overall and 15-3 in Atlantic 10 play during the 2022-23 season. The Rams return five letterwinners, but no starters from last year's squad. VCU opened the 2023-24 season with a 76-65 loss to McNeese State Monday evening at the Siegel Center. In the loss to McNeese State, Max Shulga led the Rams with 22 points. Zab Jackson added 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the game.
 
 
Friday night's game can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, go to the following link: MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE. Following Friday night's game, Samford will open a nine-game homestand by hosting Mississippi College on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
 
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For the latest news and information on Samford men's basketball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordMBB (Twitter), and @SamfordMBB (Instagram).