They Said It: Samford 78-64 Over The Citadel
Samford Scoop got the chance to sit down with Samford head coach Lennie Acuff along with players Keaton Norris and Kam Martin. Norris finished with 13 points, 8 assists and six rebounds while Martin finished with 14 points.
Q: It's back to back really good games from Kam off the bench 14 points, nine points against Western Carolina. How have you seen his kind of confidence grow and get better?
Lennie Acuff: “Yeah, I like the question, because it is confidence. I think every time he shoots he thinks it's going in and that's what you want. He just really gives us a boost. He's mature, he shows up every day and works. And so, having another guy that can go in, he made three more threes tonight, and that's a really nice compliment to Booth on the other wing, and so I was happy for him and I was really happy for Keaton. I was just talking to him, and he’s always like, you know, something about him playing bad. He hadn't played bad. He shot poorly. Those aren't one and the same. How you play and how you shoot, those are two different things. Tonight, 13 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and no turnovers. He was plus 21. So Keaton is a good shooter. He's just gone into a little bit of a funk but it was good to see. He made a really big one at the end of a shot clock tonight.”
Q: You got another double double from Dylan Faulkner, 14 points and 10 rebounds. How's it been watching him play through these nagging injuries?
Acuff: “Well, Dylan, that's my guy, you know. Dylan, he tests my religion. Sometimes he misses some of those layups but I tell you what he shows up every day and he battles. He came to the sideline at one of the timeouts, and he's got a welt all on his arm. He was bleeding, but again, he's just really consistent. He battles every night. And I tell you, I think Will Shaver's playing good for us. I do, I think Will is helping us. He's stepping up in his role, and, you know, sometimes when you're a big kid, sometimes you make a mistake. It's like they’re loud mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. I mean, he's no different than anybody else and I'm proud of him for how he's playing.”
Q: Kam, Coach was just talking about how your confidence is growing. Do you feel that as well and how have you seen yourself grow throughout the year.?
Kam Martin: “Oh, yeah, I mean, I do. My teammates are trusting me more and more, just putting the work in, behind the scenes. And just keep going and just playing for my team, and trying to do what's right. Well, you know, just keep helping us win games. It's gonna be best for me.”
Q: Keaton, Coach talked about you telling him that it feels like you’ve been playing bad. He’s saying no it’s just that the outside shot isn’t falling. Can a night like this propel you to playing like this on Saturday?
Keaton Norris: “Yeah I think it's really I just can't let my shot determine the way I play. I don't think I've played very well. I don't care really what Coach says about that. Obviously, I've been struggling with my shot. So yeah I just gotta keep shooting the open ones, keep being ready when there's opportunities. I am happy with the way I played tonight. Hopefully, I can take that momentum forward.”
Samford is in the midst of a three-game homestand as they face Mercer on Saturday evening at 5:00pm.
