November 17, 2008 | AP Press

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Chris Matthews scored 21 points and reserve Andrew Nicholson added 13 points and five of St. Bonaventure’s eight blocked shots and the Bonnies beat Marist 77-54 on Monday night in the Garden State Challenge.

Jonathan Hall added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks for St. Bonaventure (2-0).

Ryan Schneider had 16 points and eight rebounds and David Devezin added 10 points for Marist (0-2), which lost in the home debut of first-year coach Chuck Martin, a former assistant at Memphis.

The Bonnies finished with 15 assists and 15 turnovers. Marist was never able to get things going offensively, committing 24 turnovers and shooting just 33 percent from the field, including 4-17 from 3-point range

November 14, 2008 | AP Press

OLEAN, N.Y. — Jonathan Hall scored 19 points and recorded six rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to a 72-62 victory over Robert Morris in the season opener for both teams.

Chris Mathews scored 18 points for the Bonnies and hit five 3-pointers.  Malcolm Eleby and Da’Quan Cook added eight points apiece.

For the Colonials, Jeremy Chappell scored a game-high 20 points and had 10 rebounds.  Bateko Francisco scored 11 points, and Gary Wallace added nine.

The Bonnies jumped out to a 16-0 lead to start the game. Robert Morris began a 15-3 run with 15:56 left in the second half to cut the lead to six.

The Colonials cut the lead to 4 points with 1:09 left in the game, but the Bonnies held on for the victory.

Location: St. Bonaventure, NY

Enrollment: 2,000

Founded: 1858

President: Sister Margaret Carney

Athletic Director: Steve Watson

Athletic Web Sites: gobonnies.com, bonabandwagon.proboards91.com

Nickname: Bonnies

Colors: Brown and White

Arena: Bob Lanier Court at the Reilly Center

Capacity: 5,780

Average Attendance: 4,230

Heach Coach: Mark Schmidt

Overall Record: 90-112 (44.6% Winning Percentage)

Record at Saint Bonaventure: 8-22

2007-2008 Record: 8-22 (2-14) No Post Season

Assistants: Jeff Massey, Dave Moore, Dino Presley

ROSTER

1 Ray Blackburn JR PG 5-10 185 Orchard Park, NY/Erie (NY) CC
3 Maurice Thomas JR F 6-8 225 Philadelphia/UTEP
4 Chris Matthews JR WG 6-4 205 Washington, DC/Wash State
5 Jonathan Hall JR WG 6-5 225 Miami, FL/South Plains (TX) CC
*12 Tyler Benson SR F/G 6-7 210 Morgantown, WV/Massanutten (VA)
20 Malcom Eleby SO PG 6-3 200 Philadelphia
21 Da’Quan Cook R-FR PF 6-9 225 Elizabeth, NJ/The Miller School (VA)
24 Lewis Leonard JR G-F 6-4 200 Philadelphia/San Bernardino (CA) JC
32 Michael Davenport FR WG 6-4 190 Cincinnati
33 Marquis Simmons FR PF 6-8 210 Washington, DC
44 Andrew Nicholson FR C 6-9 220 Mississauga, Ontario
45 Jake Houseknecht FR F 6-8 200 Olean, NY
*50 D’Lancy Carter SR F-C 6-10 260 Houston/Vincennes JC

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

Call it a minor miracle. First-year coach Mark Schmidt somehow managed to coax eight wins, including a respectable 6-8 record in nonconference games.

It might not sound impressive until the roster is re-examined. The most recent edition of the Bonnies was one of the least talented teams in league history. Only eight scholarship players finished out the season, and just one, 6-8 forward Michael Lee, could have started for other A-10 programs.

St. Bonaventure still managed to put up a fight in most games. Although Olean is not known for its acting school, most of the Bonnies gave credible performances as high-level Division 1 basketball players. They never quit on Schmidt like they did on the previous two coaches.

Perhaps more impressive has been Schmidt’s rapid-fire remake of the roster. On paper, the new-look Bonnies received a major infusion of talent. The former Xavier assistant has compiled a 10-member class of freshmen, transfers and junior-college stars, including the top bigman in Canada and other high-profile newcomers.

The most impressive of the bunch might be Maurice Thomas and Chris Matthews, both transfers from major programs. Thomas is a beast on the boards. Matthews is a big guard with deep range.

Other players likely to help right away include a pair of juco swingmen, Lewis Leonard and Jonathan Hall. Schmidt also dipped into the juco ranks for point guard Ray Blackburn, a former prep star in upstate New York, just in case sophomore Malcom Eleby struggles again.

Now that he’s got some good players to work with, Schmidt will get a chance to match wits with other coaches on the same stage. Yet the Bonnies have to improve dramatically in every category and the second-year coach still need some props to mask the team’s weaknesses.

The only way to go is up. The question is how fast. With 10 newcomers, it’s impossible to predict.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Michael Lee – The 6-8 Florida native delivered a banner performance as a senior after three years of inconsistent play. Lee averaged 17.5 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 49% (38% on 3-pointers). Long and quick, with a decent handle, Lee was most effective facing the rim, but he could play with his back to the basket. He was also the Bonnies’ best defender (44 blocks).

Tyler Relph – Fifth-year shooter (11.9 ppg) was forced to play point because of the shaky performance of the freshman Eleby, but he did a commendable job under difficult circumstances. Relph managed the offense well enough (112 assists to 85 turnovers) to give the Bonnies a fighting chance in most games. He even managed to shoot 42.6% on treys, well above his career average (35% 3PG) even though defenses keyed on him.

Zarryon Fereti – Australian-born juco liked to attack the rim or fire up 3-pointers and he could get his shot off against anyone. The trigger-happy guard was not very accurate, however. Fereti scored 13.8 points a game, second on the team, but he only hit 35% of his 358 shots (12 attempts a game). He probably killed more rallies than he started, and his defense was no great shakes, either.

Hillary Haley (5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 28.3% 3PG)). The 6-6 slasher provided a lift in the first half of the season with his athleticism and energy. He scored a career high 16 in a loss at Wright State and reached double figures four times in nonleague play. Haley’s production and minutes waned in A-10 action because of poor shooting and decision making. He transferred after one year.

Matt Morgan (3.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 55.6% FG, 11blocks). The 6-8 freshman from Maryland was a surprise transfer despite a promising debut. Morgan was more skilled and athletic than reports by recruiting analysts suggested. During a five-game stretch in January and February, he averaged more than 11 points and won A-10 Newcomer of the Week twice in a row. Morgan faded down the stretch and only scored 2 points in the final five games.

RETURNING PLAYERS

D’Lancy Carter (6.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 49.4% FG, 24 blocks). Lightly regarded 6-10 juco was a pleasant surprise, giving the Bonnies a large interior presence at both ends. Carter is not an explosive athlete, a major offensive threat or a defensive force. What he can do is finish reasonably well around the basket and gather enough rebounds to keep the team competitive on the boards. Carter could be even more effective if he lost some weight and improved his footwork, but he’s the basketball equivalent of an offensive lineman. It’s his job to pave the way for teammates to run and score.

Tyler Benson (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 33% FG). The only returning senior who’s been at the school all four years, Benson is much stronger than when he arrived in Olean. He’s needed the extra muscle, too. Schmidt was forced to play the 6-7 Benson inside because of lack of interior depth. Benson did his best but was overmatched. He committed almost 100 fouls and fouled out of six games.

Benson is primarily an outside shooter, but even that part of his game suffered. He hit 24.4% (29-119) of his treys as a junior, down from 34%. On the positive side he did a respectable job on the boards and is a good passer (65 assists). He’ll provide veteran leadership on a young team, but Benson is not an A-10 level starter.

Malcom Eleby (2.8 PPG, 34% FG, 51 assists, 67 turnovers). Touted Philadelphia prep star was expected to start at point, but he flopped as a freshman. Eleby turned the ball over 15 times in his first four games and quickly found himself on the bench. It was like that the rest of the year as every good outing was followed a several bad ones.

The 6-3 sophomore has good size and athleticism for a point guard, but he was shaky with the ball, shot poorly (0-4 3PG) and did not seem prepared for the speed of college basketball. Eleby did show flashes of good passing and the ability to drive and dish. He also seems determined to make amends for such a disappointing year. If he doesn’t, coach Schmidt can turn to newcomer Ray Blackburn. The juco star is not as big, but he’s a more seasoned ball-handler and better outside shooter.

NEWCOMERS

Maurice Thomas – Former UTEP forward (No. 139 Rivals, 2006) is a proven producer. As a sophomore the 6-8 Thomas averaged 9.4 points (54% FG) and 5.4 rebounds while blocking 27 shots. He transferred to be closer to his Philadelphia home and is friends with several players on the team. The wiry strong Thomas is a warrior in the paint, using his quickness and leaping ability to score near the basket. He’s also a decent midrange shooter with a solid handle who can take slower defenders off the dribble.

Sometimes Thomas tries to do too much and he forgets about his teammates. He’s like a “roach motel” in the old commercial. The ball checks in but it does not check out – Thomas notched just 10 assists (to 60 turnovers) in two years at UTEP. With his athleticism and experience, Thomas is certain to start and he will give the Bonnies much-needed scoring and rebounding. To help the team win, however, Thomas will have to show he’s more of a team player than he was at UTEP.

Chris Matthews – The Washington State transfer – originally from Washington, DC – only saw sporadic time for the Cougars because his defense was not up to the ultra-high standards of coach Tony Bennett. As a sophomore he averaged 3.4 points in 17 games, hitting 14 of 41 treys. He’s supposed to be an excellent shooter, however, and the 6-4 Matthews is strong for a wing guard at 205 pounds. He is expected to contribute significantly right away and could start.

Lewis Leonard – The 6-4 transfer, another former Philadelphia prep star, was a big scorer in junior college, averaging 25 points a game. He reportedly was hot in demand and got late looks by big schools such as Alabama. Leonard can score with pullup jumpers off the dribble or use his strength to back defenders down. He gets to the free-throw line (70%) and is also a solid 3-point shooter (36%). While he won’t come to matching his juco numbers, Leonard is a proven scorer and fine athlete who seems a good fit with the uptempo style Schmidt wants to establish.

Jonathan Hall – Versatile 6-4 swingman is a power forward in a guard’s body who plays bigger than his size. Hall (No. 77 HoopScoop, 2006) was selected MVP in leading his junior-college team to a national championship. He’s not a great 3-point shooter, but Hall is an efficient scorer off the bounce and is quick to the boards for putbacks, traits that could come in handy with the extended 3-point line. “He’s a glue guy. He doesn’t do anything great, but he does everything well,” Schmidt told the Olean Times. “He’s the final piece of the puzzle type of kid.”

Ray Blackburn – Former star in Western New York developed his point skills at a lower-level junior college near home. Before that Blackburn was known mostly as a scorer who could drop a trey or weave his way to the hoop. Given the mediocre level of juco competition, it’s hard to gauge how Blackburn’s game will translate to the A-10, but he was once good enough to get scholarship offers from several midmajors. The 5-10 guard is quick and strong for his size and said to have good vision.
DaQuan Cook – New Jersey native, ruled ineligible by the NCAA clearinghouse, sat out his first year. Cook reportedly looked good in practice. He is mobile combo forward with good jumping ability who’s most effective around the basket. He wasn’t a great shooter in high school, but he’s had a year to work on his jumper and supposedly improved his range. He’ll get a shot at big minutes on a team lacking experienced frontcourt players.

Andrew Nicholson – The Bonnies haven’t had a truly talented center since the inscrutable Caswell Cyrus, another Canadian, left eight years ago. The coaching staff hopes 6-9 Nicholson is the next big thing in Olean. Schmidt has even made a favorable comparison to a young David West before he became a star at Xavier. “From a basketball standpoint, he’s going to be a really good player,” Schmidt told the Olean Times. “He’s like a sponge. You tell him something one time and he’s got it.”

Nicholson is long and athletic and handles the ball well for a center. Although he scored his fair share of points in high school, he will need time to develop an effective post game. That’s not what the Bonnies need him for now. They need him to shore up the interior. Already a solid 230 pounds, Nicholson should help right away as a rebounder and shotblocker.

Michael Davenport – Underrated wing guard from Cincinnati, Schmidt’s old haunt, is probably the most athletic guard the Bonnies have signed in years. Davenport is a big leaper, excels in the open floor and was considered one of the best defensive players in the Cincinnati area. Like many athletic wing guards, he needs to improve his ball-handling and shoot the trey more consistently. With so many older players in the latest class, Davenport may have to wait a year or two before he gets a chance to shine.

Marquis Simmons – Washington, DC-area combo forward is described as a live wire. A quick leaper with long arms, he was most noted for his work on the backboards, especially the offensive glass. Simmons mostly scored around the basket in high school but his 3-point shot evidently improved a great deal as a senior. Still, he’s unlikely to help much early in his career. He needs to add weight and define his game at the offensive end.

Jake Houseknecht – The 6-8 center from Olean was not considered a Division 1 recruit before his senior season, but he received an invitation from the hometown team after a huge performance in the state playoffs. Houseknecht is an above-average athlete who excelled as a shotblocker and rebounder. His offense consists mostly of dunks and putbacks and needs work, but he’s said to be a decent shooter. Houseknecht will walk on and redshirt as a freshman, with the promise of a scholarship in his second season. He’ll have to spend plenty of time in the weightroom since he weighs under 200 pounds and might not be done growing.

SCOUTING REPORT

The Bonnies finished at or near the bottom in every statistical category, but the numbers are meaningless. Only three players remain from last year’s team. Every job is up for grabs and the program will sport a whole new look.

After a few trips to the hoops equivalent of Home Depot – the juco ranks and the transfer pipeline – Schmidt has assembled a starting lineup worthy of competing in the A-10. He’s also built for the future with a promising batch of freshmen, some of whom should contribute immediately.

The most important contest for minutes will take place at point. It’s critical that Eleby or Blackburn nail down the job. It would be an added bonus if the runnerup proved to be a suitable reserve. The two differ greatly in size and style and would bring complementary strengths.

Schmidt has a variety of options on the wing. Matthews will probably start at shooting guard and either Hall or Leonard would fit the bill at small forward. Leonard is supposed to be the better scorer. Hall is a do-everything type.

Pencil in Maurice Thomas to start at power forward alongside D’Lancy Carter unless Schmidt decides to go small. Thomas put up the kind of numbers at UTEP to suggest he has All-League potential. On the bench Schmidt can turn to several promising freshmen, including 6-9 Canadian Andrew Nicholson.

With more beef in the frontcourt, the Bonnies should do a better job of rebounding and defending the interior. St. Bonaventure was usually beaten up in the paint in Schmidt’s first season.

How it all comes together is anyone’s guess. On offense, Schmidt prefers an uptempo attack and he’s acquired a bunch of aggressive athletes who appear to fit his style. He’s got some shooters and slashers and enough size upfront to compete with most teams.

Defense is the key, however. Schmidt was not known as a coach who stressed defense during a six-year stint at Robert Morris. He’s been talking the talk since he took over the Bonnies. Now it’s time to walk the walk.

PREDICTION

The days of St. Bonaventure impersonating a Division 1 program appear over. In just his second year, Schmidt has accumulated enough talent and experience to give the Bonnies a chance to climb out of the A-10 cellar. Suddenly one of the older teams in the league, the Bonnies could even surprise.

Such a major makeover, however, rarely occurs without major stumbles. The Bonnies are far from ready for center stage. A reasonable-enough goal is to finish no lower than 12th and return to the A-10 tournament for the first time in four years.

WH’s

NONCON PREDICTION: 7-6

L – ROBERT MORRIS
W – At Marist
L – vs. Delaware (Piscataway, NJ)
L – at Rutgers
W – MISSISSIPPI STATE
W – vs. Canisius (Buffalo, NY)
W – PRINCETON
W – MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
W ST. FRANCIS (PA)
L – At Eastern Michigan
L – NIAGARA
W – At Bucknell
L – At Central Arkansas

I feel like I am going out on a limb with this forecast, but I think the Bonnies could beat any team on its schedule, especially at home. If the team is competitive, the fans will turn out in big numbers and give the Bonnies one of the best home-court advantages in the league (a point I forgot to mention in my preview).

Robert Morris is a tough first test. The Colonials have more experience and togetherness. Hopefully the new-look Bonnies can help their new coach beat his old school, which would be a great omen. Marist lost its best players and its coach. Delaware is a middle-of-the-pack Colonial Athletic team with a good PG and a Georgetown transfer, Marc Egerson, who’s played well. Rutgers is young but the talent is increasing and the Knights are playing at home.

The Bonnies come back with a surprise win over a rebuilding Miss State team in Olean. The crowd carries the players; it’s the first major BCS school to appear on the Bonnies’ home court in eight years. MSU probably figures on an easy win. The upset special sets off a five-game win streak. Canisius is down, Princeton has struggled, MD-Eastern Shore stinks and so does St. Francis (PA).

Eastern Michigan probably doesn’t have as much talent, but the host Eagles beat a suddenly overconfident Bona squad. Then the Bonnies drop a tight one at home to a Niagara program constantly at the top of the Metro Atlantic heap. A win over a faltering Bucknell program provides solace before the Bonnies drop a stunner at an inferior Central Arkansas. That’s my makeup call in case Bonaventure doesn’t actually beat Mississippi State.