With Selection Sunday quickly approaching, it is time to start taking a look at the teams that are going to make noise outside the power structure. Every Monday, I will spotlight a team and player that has made significant noise in the week prior. This week we will take a look at the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies coached by Mark Schmidt.
Team of the Week: Saint Bonaventure
After opening conference play with a loss to Rhode Island, the Bonnies have reeled off six wins in a row. This has launched Mark Schmidt’s team into the discussion for an at large spot come mid-March. Led by a starting five that is all juniors, Saint Bonaventure’s 67% minutes continuity is 34th in the country. Guard Kyle Lofton and big man Osun Osunniyi have been the standouts on a pretty balanced team.
This has been a huge week for this squad. A road win over Duquense and home decimation over fellow contender VCU has given this team national attention. It also put them at the top of the A10 staking them as a legit challenger to SLU, the conferences only ranked team at the moment.
Player of the Week: Jason Preston
Every so often, a mid major guard pops onto the NBA radar seemingly from nowhere. It has been seen with Damian Lilliard and CJ McCollum, this year it is going to be Jason Preston. After a three game injury, he has returned straight to form over his last two games. He went 23/10/4 with no turnovers in a loss to Kent St. and had his second career triple double in a win over Ball St. Saturday. He did this Saturday while shooting 3/16 showing the diverse impact he has on the game. If Ohio can right the ship and sneak into the tournament, Preston can potentially become the darling of March in a Cinderella run.
Mid Major Top Ten 1/25
- Gonzaga: Still clearly the most impressive team in America. Drew Timme scored 22 points while they almost doubled up Pacific on Saturday Night.
- Boise State: Broncos cannot stop winning as they dominated Fresno State on Wednesday. Two games against Colorado St. will go a long way in determining hierarchy of MWC.
- Saint Louis: Dropped a spot after another week of their quarantine period. Finally back in action with huge game @Richmond Friday Night.
- Loyola Chicago: 21st ranked team at Kenpom dominated Bradley and Valpo this week. Senior Cameron Krutwig keeps on dominating games as a throwback center.
- Drake: Bulldogs have been on pause since January fourth. Two games this week against Isaiah Mosley and Missouri St. should test their unbeaten record.
- Utah State: Split home series with Colorado State. Neemias Queta only playing 27 minutes contributed significantly to the loss.
- Colorado State: A debutant in my rankings. Have split series’ with two of the MWC elite teams and gave Utah St. their first conference loss.
- BYU: Cougars dominated Pepperdine and Portland. They are projected to win every game until the season finale against Gonzaga.
- San Diego State: Bounced back from sweep vs Utah State to sweep Air Force. Will play a big part in the outcome of MWC regular season title.
- Winthrop: Continue to take care of business in the Big South. Final two game series with Radford will determine their quest for an undefeated season.
Also considered: Belmont, VCU, Western Kentucky