NCAAB · Final

Buccaneers Edge Bulldogs in Close Contest

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Pete Hanna Center

East Tennessee State Buccaneers 76, Samford Bulldogs 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs Samford Bulldogs?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers beat Samford Bulldogs 76-75 at Pete Hanna Center on January 17, 2026.

Who was favored in East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs Samford Bulldogs?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -166 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.

In a thrilling matchup, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers narrowly defeated the Samford Bulldogs with a final score of 76-75 at the Pete Hanna Center. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Buccaneers continuing their strong season while the Bulldogs struggled to find their footing.

The Buccaneers entered the game with a record of 13-6, having won six of their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak before this contest. In their recent outings, they averaged 76.3 points while allowing 68.0 points per game. Their away record stood at 1-3, indicating some challenges on the road. In contrast, the Bulldogs had a record of 9-10, with a 5-5 mark in their last ten games, but they were also on a two-game losing streak. Samford averaged 78.0 points scored and allowed 75.1 points in their recent games, suggesting a high-scoring style but also defensive vulnerabilities.

Historically, the Bulldogs have struggled against the Buccaneers, losing both of their previous meetings in the 2025 season. In their last encounter on January 18, 2025, Samford fell short with a score of 60-65. This trend continued into the latest game, where they again found themselves on the losing end despite a strong effort.

In terms of home and away performance, the Bulldogs had a home record of 4-1 in their last five games leading up to this matchup, while the Buccaneers had a mixed away record of 1-3. The conditions in the Pete Hanna Center were likely favorable for the Bulldogs, yet they could not capitalize on their home advantage.

The injury report did not specify any key players missing from either team, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. This factor contributed to the intensity of the game, as both teams fought for every point.

As for the betting market, DraftKings had the Buccaneers favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 148.5. The moneyline odds reflected a strong belief in the Buccaneers' chances, with -166 for East Tennessee State and +140 for Samford. These odds indicated that the Buccaneers were seen as the more likely team to win, which they ultimately proved to be true.

The game was marked by several key scoring plays in the second half. The Buccaneers took a lead late in the game, with significant contributions from players like Keaton Norris, who made a crucial three-point jumper to put the Bulldogs ahead 74-72. However, the Buccaneers responded quickly, with Blake Barkley scoring a tip-in layup that sealed the victory.

Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive nature of NCAAB basketball, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. The Buccaneers' ability to edge out the Bulldogs in a close contest will be a significant boost as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ETSU -3.5	148.5 o -105 / u -115	East Tennessee State Buccaneers -166 · Samford Bulldogs +140

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJadin Booth19Samford Bulldogs
AssistsKeaton Norris6Samford Bulldogs
ReboundsDylan Faulkner7Samford Bulldogs
PointsBlake Barkley26East Tennessee State Buccaneers
AssistsAllen Strothers3East Tennessee State Buccaneers
ReboundsBlake Barkley11East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Recent form

Samford Bulldogs

Last 10: 5-5Streak L278 scored · 75.1 allowed per game4-1 at home

L73-77vs Furman PaladinsJan 15
L79-88at Chattanooga MocsJan 10
W82-77vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 8
L82-89at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 3
W78-58at VMI KeydetsJan 1
W85-49vs Reinhardt EaglesDec 19
W106-51vs Bryan LionsDec 15
W93-90vs Cornell Big RedDec 8
L57-83at VCU RamsDec 6
L45-89at Utah Valley WolverinesNov 26

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Last 10: 6-4Streak L176.3 scored · 68 allowed per game1-3 away

L68-72at Western Carolina CatamountsJan 14
W86-60vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 10
W81-67vs VMI KeydetsJan 8
W77-71vs Mercer BearsJan 3
W74-49at The Citadel BulldogsDec 30
L75-81vs Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 20
L58-77at North Carolina Tar HeelsDec 17
L75-76at Austin Peay GovernorsDec 13
W78-62vs Tusculum PioneersDec 7
W91-65vs South Alabama JaguarsDec 6

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
East Tennessee State	23-11	-	13-5
Mercer	19-13	2	11-7
Wofford	19-13	2	11-7
Samford	18-14	2	11-7
Furman	22-13	3	10-8
Western Carolina	15-16	3	10-8
UNC Greensboro	15-19	4	9-9
Chattanooga	13-19	6	7-11
The Citadel	11-22	6	7-11
VMI	6-26	12	1-17

Box score

Stat	East Tennessee State Buccaneers	Samford Bulldogs
Field goals	27-49	25-55
Field goal %	55	45
Three-pointers	6-12	14-32
Three-point %	50	44
Free throws	16-17	11-13
Free throw %	94	85
Rebounds	30	25
Offensive rebounds	4	6
Defensive rebounds	26	19
Assists	10	17
Steals	4	4
Blocks	3	5
Turnovers	6	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	9
Fast-break points	2	4
Points in the paint	40	18
Fouls	16	14
Largest lead	13	2
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	96	2

How the scoring went

2nd Half40-36Dylan Faulkner makes layup
2nd Half42-36Brian Taylor II makes 2-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half42-37Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-38Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-38Jaylen Smith makes layup
2nd Half44-41Cade Norris makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half46-41Brian Taylor II makes driving layup
2nd Half46-44Jadin Booth makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half48-44Blake Barkley makes layup (Jaylen Smith assists)
2nd Half48-47Cade Norris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jadin Booth assists)
2nd Half48-50Cade Norris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keaton Norris assists)
2nd Half50-50Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half51-50Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half53-50Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half53-52Cade Norris makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half55-52Cam Morris III makes 10-foot jumper (Blake Barkley assists)
2nd Half57-52Blake Barkley makes 9-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half57-54Cade Norris makes layup
2nd Half59-54Blake Barkley makes layup (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half59-57Jadin Booth makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kam Martin assists)
2nd Half61-57Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half61-60Keaton Norris makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jadin Booth assists)
2nd Half63-60Allen Strothers makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half63-63Kam Martin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half65-63Allen Strothers makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half66-63Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-63Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-65Keaton Norris makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half69-65Blake Barkley makes layup (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half69-67Cade Norris makes layup (Jadin Booth assists)
2nd Half69-68Cade Norris makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half70-68Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-68Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-68Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-69Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-70Keaton Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-70Blake Barkley makes layup
2nd Half74-72Keaton Norris makes driving layup
2nd Half74-75Keaton Norris makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half76-75Blake Barkley makes 0-foot tip in layup

Win probability

Above the line favours Samford Bulldogs, below favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers.