Chattanooga Aims to Hand Samford Second Straight Loss in SoCon Showdown

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Mocs (12-7, 4-2) will host the Samford Bulldogs (15-4, 5-1) in a highly anticipated Southern Conference matchup Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The game marks a critical test for both teams as Chattanooga looks to capitalize on Samford’s recent stumble, while the Bulldogs aim to rebound from their first conference loss of the season.

Samford, previously riding a six-game winning streak, fell 75-70 to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) on Saturday, snapping their 28-game home win streak. The Bulldogs, known for their high-powered offense, were held to their lowest scoring output in conference play this season. Meanwhile, Chattanooga enters the game with momentum after securing back-to-back wins over Furman and Wofford, including an 83-81 overtime thriller against Wofford last week.

Chattanooga is a slight 1.5-point favorite on BetMGM, with the Over/Under set at 156.5 points. The Mocs’ Moneyline stands at -105, while Samford’s is at -114. Both teams boast two of the most efficient offenses in the conference, with Chattanooga shooting 47.3% from the field and Samford close behind at 47.2%. From beyond the arc, the Bulldogs hold a slight edge, shooting 38.3% compared to the Mocs’ 36.2%.

Chattanooga’s trio of guards—Bash Wieland (13.4 PPG), Trey Bonham (13.2 PPG), and Honor Huff (13.1 PPG)—will be key to their offensive success. However, they face a Samford defense that ranks fourth nationally in forcing turnovers, averaging 17.21 per game. “We’ll need to take care of the ball and limit their transition opportunities,” said Chattanooga head coach Dan Earl. “Samford is a dangerous team, especially from three.”

Samford’s offense, led by Trey Fort and Jaden Brownell (both averaging 14 PPG), is capable of explosive scoring runs. The Bulldogs’ ability to shoot from deep could pose a challenge for Chattanooga, which allows opponents to shoot 37% from three-point range, according to KenPom. “We have to run them off the line and contest every shot,” said Earl. “If we let them get comfortable, it could be a long night.”

In their loss to ETSU, Samford struggled with turnovers and shot selection, areas they’ll need to clean up against Chattanooga. The Mocs, on the other hand, have shown resilience in recent games, rallying from second-half deficits in both their wins over Furman and Wofford. “We’ve been locked in since that tough loss to UNC Greensboro,” said Bonham. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re ready to compete.”

Chattanooga holds a 4-4 record against the spread at home this season, while Samford is 2-6 ATS on the road. With both teams featuring dynamic offenses and plenty of scoring options, the game is expected to be a high-scoring affair. “This is what college basketball is all about,” said Samford head coach Bucky McMillan. “Two great teams battling it out in a tough environment. We’re excited for the challenge.”