Kristian Ferrell
The Samford Bulldogs are the varsity teams that represent Samford University in NCAA Division I athletics. The men's basketball team has been competing in the Southern Conference since 2008 and has appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament three times. The team is currently led by head coach Lennie Acuff, who joined in 2025, and they play their home games at the Pete Hanna Center. The 2023-24 season was the best in the program's history, with the team winning the Southern Conference regular-season title for the second year in a row and the SoCon Tournament for the first time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team | Samford Bulldogs |
| University | Samford University |
| Location | Homewood, Alabama, United States |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Head Coach | Bucky McMillan |
| Home Games | Pete Hanna Center |
| Previous Conferences | Trans-Atlantic Athletic Conference (now ASUN Conference), Ohio Valley Conference |
| Number of Appearances in NCAA Division I Tournament | 3 |
| Record in NCAA Division I Tournament | 0-3 |
| Number of Appearances in National Invitation Tournament (NIT) | 1 |
| Record in NIT | 0-1 |
| Number of Appearances in CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Samford University's basketball team competes in the Southern Conference
The Samford University men's basketball team, known as the Bulldogs, competes in the Southern Conference. The team has been playing since 1901 and has been part of the NCAA Division I since 1972. The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament three times, most recently in 2024.
The 2023-24 season was a historic one for the Bulldogs. They won the Southern Conference regular-season title for the second year in a row, securing the championship outright. This was their 25th win of the season, the most in the history of the men's basketball program at Samford. They went on to win the SoCon Tournament for the first time, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.
The Bulldogs are currently led by head coach Lennie Acuff, who was hired in 2025. They play their home games at the Pete Hanna Center.
Samford University has 17 varsity teams in total, 8 men's teams and 9 women's teams, that compete in the Southern Conference. The university is a leading Christian institution, founded in 1841, and is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
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The team is nicknamed the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have a rich history in college basketball, with the university sponsoring a men's basketball team since 1901. They have been NCAA Division I since 1972, competing in various conferences over the years, including the Trans-Atlantic Athletic Conference (now the ASUN Conference) and the Ohio Valley Conference. The team has enjoyed success under different coaches, including Jimmy Tillette, who led them to back-to-back TAAC Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament bids in 1999 and 2000.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have continued to excel. In the 2023-24 season, they achieved historic milestones, including winning the Southern Conference regular-season title for the second year in a row. This success earned them the top seed in the Southern Conference Tournament, showcasing their dominance in the conference. The team's success has been built on a strong foundation, with a focus on player development and a winning culture.
The Bulldogs' mascot, a beloved figure in the university's community, embodies the spirit and toughness associated with the team. The current mascot, "Sam," was introduced in 2017, replacing the previous mascot, "Spike," who was known for his spiked collar and nasty growl. The Bulldogs' colours, bright red and navy blue, are prominently featured in the team's branding and have been a part of the university's tradition since its early days as Howard College.
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The team's home games are played at the Pete Hanna Center
The Samford Bulldogs men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Samford University in Homewood, Alabama. The team's home games are played at the Pete Hanna Center, a $32 million multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility on the university's campus. The 132,000-square-foot facility, which opened in October 2007, is equipped to host athletic events, concerts, banquets, lectures, and conferences.
The Pete Hanna Center has been the site of several notable basketball games. On January 31, 2009, a record crowd of 5,116 spectators watched the Samford men's basketball team take on Davidson College. The Hanna Center also hosted the prestigious national high school basketball tournament, the 2009 T-Mobile Invitational, from December 29-30, 2009.
The Samford Bulldogs have a rich history in basketball, with the university sponsoring a men's basketball team since 1901. The team has competed in various conferences over the years, including as an independent team, in the Trans-Atlantic Athletic Conference (now the ASUN Conference), the Ohio Valley Conference, and currently, the Southern Conference.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have experienced significant success in the Southern Conference. In 2024, the team won its first-ever Southern Conference Tournament title with a 76-69 victory over ETSU, earning their first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2000. The 2023-24 season was the best in program history, with the team setting a school record of 29 wins and winning the Southern Conference regular-season title for the second consecutive year.
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The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times
The Samford Bulldogs men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Samford University in Homewood, Alabama. The team currently competes in the Southern Conference, having previously been in the Trans-Atlantic Athletic Conference (now the ASUN Conference) and the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament three times, in 1999, 2000, and 2024. In 1999, the team won a school-record 24 games, going 24–6, winning the TAAC regular season and TAAC Tournament titles. The following year, the team went 21–11, winning the TAAC Tournament and reaching the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year. In 2024, the Bulldogs won the Southern Conference Tournament for the first time, earning their first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2000. Their combined record in the NCAA Tournament is 0-3.
The Bulldogs have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) once, with a record of 0-1, and in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).
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The team has a 98% Graduation Success Rate among NCAA Division I schools
The Samford Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Samford University in Homewood, Alabama. The team currently competes in the Southern Conference and has been NCAA Division I since 1972. The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament three times, most recently in 2024.
Samford University is a leading Christian university, founded in 1841, making it the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The university enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries across its 10 academic schools. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the Southern Conference and has achieved notable academic success.
The university's athletics programs, including the men's basketball team, have consistently ranked among the top in the nation for Graduation Success Rate (GSR). According to the latest NCAA report, Samford earned an impressive overall GSR score of 97%, placing it among the top Division I schools in the country. This score also secured Samford's position as the top-ranked Division I school in Alabama and the Southern Conference.
The men's basketball team specifically achieved a perfect GSR in the 2019 report, contributing to the university's high overall score. This success reflects the team's dedication both on the court and in the classroom. Samford's student-athletes work diligently to excel in their academic pursuits while also pursuing athletic excellence.
The high Graduation Success Rate among NCAA Division I schools is a testament to the university's commitment to academic excellence and the student-athletes' dedication to their studies. It demonstrates that Samford University prioritizes not only athletic achievement but also the holistic development and academic success of its student-athletes. This impressive graduation rate sets Samford University apart and showcases its comprehensive approach to supporting and developing its student body.
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Frequently asked questions
The Samford Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Samford University and currently competes in the Southern Conference.
The mascot of the Samford intercollegiate athletics teams is a bulldog named Sam.
The Samford Bulldogs play their home games at the Pete Hanna Center.
Samford University enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries.
Samford University has the second-highest graduation rate among all NCAA Division I schools, with a 98% Graduation Success Rate.
