After bringing in almost an entirely new team, fans and media alike were unsure how the 2024-25 Bonnies would stack up against other programs. Similarly, SBU was ranked 10th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. But once the balls were rolled out, St. Bonaventure raced out to a 14-3 record that more than impressed (and surprised) the Bona Faithful and college basketball followers.
The Bonnies received six vote points in the January 6 AP Top 25 Poll, and have been floating between 50 and 70 in the metrics for over a month. This is a placement nationally the program hasn't had since the 2021-22 season. It's also an especially timely flip of the script after an offseason plagued initially by decisions to decline an NIT invite and the subsequent departure of AD Joe Manhertz. A combination of Adrian Wojnarowski announcing his retirement from ESPN to join the program as its first GM, and a new-look roster having just one loss to Utah State two games into the conference season, made the summer's vibes take a quick 180.
A mid-season MVP for the Bonnies thus far has been Melvin Council Jr. The co-captain and Wagner transfer is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Council Jr. has done an amazing job for the Bonnies in a point guard role since junior guard Dasonte Bowen went down with an injury. The team is 5-2 in that span.
Noel Brown taking a massive leap forward from last season is also a big reason for the team’s first-half success. After not starting a single game last season, the senior co-captain is averaging 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Similarly, his shooting percentage (61.9%) is leading the country. Brown's development from a 13.9 MPG backup role to a 30+ MPG go-to big man -- along with his leadership as the only prominent returner -- has arguably been the most important breakthrough on the roster.
LaJae Jones and Chance Moore have proven themselves to be difference makers on the wing for the Bonnies as well. In addition to leading the Atlantic 10 in offensive rating, Jones provides athleticism, great defense and a three-point shooting percentage (.490%) that ranks 18th nationally. This consistent shooting has been all the more vital on a team that lacks in that area. Moore, on the other hand, is the team’s leading scorer (14.9 PPG) and rebounder (7.6 RPG), and leads the conference in defensive win shares. His explosiveness in the paint and on the glass, combined with his length and top-tier athleticism, allows him to serve as one of the more versatile small forwards in the conference.
Sophomore combo guard Jonah Hinton has also provided strong minutes and responded well to an increased workload, especially considering his immediate step up in weight class from the JUCO ranks. The Chicago native is averaging nearly 10 points and 34 minutes over seven games since joining the starting lineup, with four 3's against both Fordham and La Salle, and three more triples against VCU.
After two victories to start conference play, one at home against VCU and one in the Bronx against Fordham, the Bonnies had kept the door open for at-large consideration in the NCAA Tournament. But two straight losses, primarily the most recent at home to La Salle, may have closed that door. The loss to the Explorers was a Quad 4 at the time (now Quad 3), and the way it ended -- a back-breaking 83-82 loss in overtime on a last-second Hail Mary banked 3 -- made it even worse in reality than on paper. It's still too early to tell how strong this season's bubble will be, and how many bid stealers might enter the field in March. Conventional wisdom would say unless the Bonnies can be near perfect over 14 games and make more noise in DC, their only path to the Big Dance is securing the A-10's auto bid on Selection Sunday.
A crucial factor in the Bonnies maintaining success down the stretch is the return of Bowen. Bowen, who has been out for over a month with a foot injury and is still in a walking boot, provides good perimeter defense and is arguably the best facilitator for a team who has struggled in that area (349 of 364 teams in assists per FG made).
If Bowen can come back at 100% and play on both sides of the ball like he did before the injury, the Bonnies could still have a real (if not long) shot at getting an at-large bid or being Atlantic 10 Champions. The starting unit is still very solid without him, but he’s an absolute game changer if he comes back healthy and provides some much-needed depth as the conference slate gets into full swing.
Comments