OUTLOOK
First round: Lost to Syracuse, 79-65
Samford is Princeton south. The Bulldogs were in the NCAAs last year and lost to St. John's, but they have beaten both St. John's and Alabama this year. They play exactly like Princeton does stylistically -- spreading the floor, holding the ball, and taking a lot of three-point attempts.
Center Marc Salyers, the Trans America tournament MVP two straight years, can score from the outside and has great moves around the basket. The problem the Bulldogs will have is that Syracuse's Etan Thomas is one of the best shot blockers in the country. The Bulldogs like to isolate Salyers and want teams to double-team him so they can shoot threes. Against Syracuse, however, Thomas could guard Salyers by himself. Therefore, the Orangemen won't have to double down and can stay up on the Samford shooters.
The Bulldogs are third in the country in three-pointers per game (9.7) and lead the nation in field-goal shooting (50.3 percent). They can put five players on the floor who can shoot threes. Reed Rawlings is a quality athlete who can battle Ryan Blackwell on an even keel in terms of athleticism and size. Samford starts three seniors, included experienced point guard Mario Lopez. While not having much depth, the Bulldogs don't need it due to their deliberate style.
The problem for Samford is that Syracuse played terribly in the Big East tournament and will be focused. Samford could sneak up on teams. The Bulldogs are more athletic than they appear and are well-disciplined. If they shoot well from the perimeter, they could give Syracuse some trouble. -- Bob Wenzel, ESPN
ROSTER
| PROBABLE STARTERS |
F -- Reed Rawlings (6-7, Jr., 14.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg)
F -- Will Daniel (6-4, Jr., 10.6, 4.4, 2.9)
C -- Marc Salyers (6-9, So., 17.0, 7.2, 3.1)
G -- Mario Lopez (6-1, Jr., 10.1, 2.6, 4.1)
G -- Derrick Jones (6-4, Jr., 8.7, 3.7, 1.6)
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| TOP RESERVES |
G -- Chris Weaver (6-2, Fr., 5.8, 2.1, 1.6)
F -- Boyd Kaiser (6-5, Jr., 3.5, 2.0, 1.1)
C -- Gabe Skypala (6-9, So., 2.9, 1.2, 0.8)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 13, Midwest, Automatic
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 2
NCAA Tournament Record: 0-1 (.000)
Final Four Appearances: 0
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: First round (1999)
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: NR
Final Asscoiated Press ranking: NR
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 138
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 144
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS (1-0)
Nov. 19 -- Beat No. 19 St. John's, 68-60
(Opponents ranking reflects ranking on game day)
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
1999--Fourteenth seed in South Region
Lost to St. John's in first round, 69-43
Record by Region:
In East: 0-0 (.000)
In South/Southeast: 0-1 (.000)
In Midwest: 0-0 (.000)
In West: 0-0 (.000)
Record by Seed:
As a 14th seed: 0-1 (.000)
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