Key Southern Conference Showdown: Samford Faces VMI Thursday Night

LEXINGTON, Va. — Samford and VMI will square off in a pivotal Southern Conference matchup Thursday at 6 p.m. ET at Cameron Hall. Both teams are looking to position themselves favorably as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

The Bulldogs (21-8, 11-5 Southern), who currently sit in a solid position in the conference standings, are coming off an impressive 93-72 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday. Despite their recent win, Samford has struggled with consistency, having lost three of their last five games. In contrast, the Keydets (13-16, 7-9 Southern), who have won only one of their last four outings, are looking to bounce back after a closely contested 75-71 loss to East Tennessee State on that same day.

According to the latest odds from SportsLine, Samford is favored by 10.5 points, with an over/under set at 154.5 total points. The prediction model, which simulates games 10,000 times, enters Week 17 of the 2024-25 season with a 220-160 record on top-rated college basketball picks, showing a potential for significant returns for followers.

Key players to watch include Samford senior guard, who has been performing at a high level, scoring 36 points against Western Carolina and averaging 14.4 points per game this season. Another notable player, junior forward, has also been impactful, contributing an average of 13.6 points and demonstrating his versatility in recent games.

On the VMI side, junior guard has stepped up in crucial moments, notably scoring 26 points against Samford during their previous matchup this season. He is averaging 15.6 points per game and has consistently scored in double figures over the last five games.

The matchup between these teams is significant as both seek to solidify their spots in the Southern Conference standings. Samford, aiming to complete a season sweep of VMI after previously winning the contest 76-68, will need strong defensive strategies to counter VMI’s offensive capabilities.

As both teams prepare for this critical showdown, the outcome may hinge on which squad can impose their game plan effectively. Samford will look to leverage its experience and recent winning momentum, while VMI aims to rally at home to turn their season around. The matchup promises to deliver an exciting clash on the court.