Getty Image
Jermaine Marshall is confident as his Samford basketball team preps for an NCAA Tournament matchup against four-seed Kansas. The forward put that belief on full display while speaking to the media this week.
Marshall likes the Bulldogs’ chances in the opening round despite going up against one of college basketball’s blue bloods. He’s predicting a win on Thursday.
Samford won the Southern Conference, posting a 29-5 overall record before running through the league tournament as a one-seed. Playing a feisty style of defense with a wide-open offense, they’ve been able to successfully pester their opponents into submission.
The Bulldogs, coached by Bucky McMillan, play what has been dubbed “Bucky Ball,” a non-stop style where they run and gun on offense and tenaciously press on defense.
On-court success landed the tournament bid, giving the SoCon champs a chance to flex those muscles on the largest stage.
Bill Self wasn’t thrilled upon learning that the Bulldogs would be his team’s first round foe, but nonetheless, Kansas is expected to win – entering as a 7.5-point favorite.
Though, if you ask Samford players, they’d give you a different outlook on how the game will play out.
Jermaine Marshall broke down what he believes will happen in a press conference earlier this week.
“We don’t think that anybody’s better than us,” the forward said. “We feel like every time we’re on the court, we’re supposed to win. I don’t feel like this is an upset. We’re going to win.
“When we win, it’s not going to be a surprise to us.”
#Samford forward Jermaine Marshall on playing #Kansas: “When we win, it’s not going to be a surprise to us.” #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/qEbCgjTQpw
— Rob Collins (@RobCollinsTV) March 20, 2024
You have to love the confidence, but he might’ve set himself up for postgame ridicule should the Bulldogs fall short!
That Samford basketball team will tip off against Kansas at 9:55 PM ET on Thursday night.