St. Bonaventure (7-2) faces their toughest test of the non-conference schedule, and maybe the entire season, when they take on Florida Atlantic (8-2) Saturday. The neutral site contest tips at 4 p.m. ET as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Bonnies enter on a five game winning streak. Graduate guard Mika Adams-Woods received Atlantic 10 and National Player of the Week honors for his performance throughout the past week’s games. In wins over Niagara and Siena, he went 19-for-20 from the floor and made each of his nine 3-point attempts. He missed his first field goal attempt against Niagara, then didn’t miss another shot through both games.
“I know I don’t want to do too much,” He said after the win over Siena. “I just let the game come to me and pick my spots knowing when to get in the lane, take my shots, and dish it out.”
His breakout comes at a perfect time for head coach Mark Schmidt’s team. Graduate guard Charles Pride missed the past three games due to injury. His status is unclear for Saturday against FAU.
Schmidt’s offense flows through starting big man Chad Venning, who is having a nice season of his own averaging 13.9 points, four rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. While foul trouble can be an issue, Noel Brown is a strong frontcourt option off the bench, securing depth for Bona’s down low. The Bonnies have depth in the backcourt as well through point guard Kyrell Luc, who returned to the lineup against Siena. He battled an ankle injury which caused him to miss five total games so far this year. Luc’s ability to set the pace and drive to the hoop takes pressure off Adams-Woods and Daryl Banks III, as well as Pride if available.
The offense struggled to find production for sophomore forward Assa Essamvous to start the year but he’s starting to find a rhythm. Although he’s only shooting 26.8% from three on the season, he made 3-of-5 3-point attempts against Niagara and Siena. He grabbed 12 rebounds against Siena. Sophomore Barry Evans also looks strong on the wing. He slotted into the starting lineup the past three games due to Pride’s injury. His defensive prowess jumps out, while also providing the ability to get a bucket when needed. He provided numerous hustle and momentum-shifting plays for the Bonnies throughout the win streak.
FAU’s Outlook
The Owls enter Saturday ranked No. 15 nationally in the AP poll. Their only two losses came against Bryant and No. 20 ranked Illinois. They bounced back from the Illinois loss with a 34 point win over rival FIU on Wednesday.
Last season, head coach Dusty May’s group captured the most wins in the nation last season (35) and made a run to the Final Four. They return 14 out of 15 players from last year’s team in addition to their entire coaching staff.
FAU guard Johnell Davis has impressed as of late. He’s averaged 19.7 points per game over the last three games, leading the Owls offense to 91 points per game over the same contests. On the season, he has shot 50% from three on high volume. He’s a great rebounder from the guard spot, which can lead to quick transition opportunities. If the Bonnies can slow down FAU’s scoring, it’s by containing Davis.
Davis’ backcourt mate Alijah Martin is another threat for the Brown and White to account for. He dropped 25 points in a win over then No. 12 ranked Texas A&M. He’s a volume scorer that shoots a high number of threes, averaging 6.6 3-point attempts per game. If left alone on the perimeter, he can make Bona pay.
Junior center Vladislav Goldin averages 15.5 points and seven rebounds per game for the Owls. His 74.7% field goal percentage is the top number in the country. His 7’1″ frame allows him to easily get over the top of defenders and connect on attempts in the paint. He gives Venning a tough assignment but with Brown’s support off the bench, Bona’s frontcourt can limit the big man. Schmidt may need to stagger Brown in earlier than usual to throw different personnel schemes at Goldin, especially if Venning is forced into early foul trouble.
Prediction
The Bonnies are on a roll heading into their toughest opponent of the season. The play of Adams-Woods and Venning’s control of the offense gives Bona a framework to make the Owls work. In FAU’s loss to Bryant, Davis still scored 17 points but the Bulldogs held Goldin to just seven points. Venning and Brown have the ability to do the same.
Davis will get his shots but if the Bonnies can find a way to force him into tough looks and limit his rebounding production, they can limit the Owls high-powered offense. FAU has no shortage of scoring threats, averaging 85.4 points per game as a team. While Adams-Woods’ 95% field goal percentage over the last two games is impossible to maintain, he proved he can score at a high level. Should the production continue Saturday, the Brown and White have a chance to keep up with FAU’s offense. If Pride is able to go, Schmidt’s offense gets another spark.
If St. Bonaventure can find a way to win, they’ll have a signature victory to hang their hat on. Although they have found their stride, FAU’s tournament experience and versatility seems too much to handle. But the Bonnies keep it interesting and make the No. 15 team in the country sweat.
Florida Atlantic 80, St. Bonaventure 75
Featured image courtesy of Dan Nelligan (SBUnfurled/A10 Talk)
