BY: CARSON HAYEK, SPORTS EDITOR
Photo Courtesy of gobonnies.com
The Bonnies season has been unique, to say the least. The program had its best start since the 1969-70 season, but may not even eclipse the 20-win mark with four games remaining. As the Atlantic 10 Tournament approaches, the Bonnies must improve on these three things going forward.
1.) Pulling Out Close Games
In games that are decided by five or fewer points, Bonaventure is 3-4. Most notably losing in last-second heart-breaking fashion against La Salle on Jan. 11 (83-82 OT) and Rhode Island on Feb.12 (68-64).
Following the loss to Rhode Island, Bonnies head coach Mark Schmidt emphasized the importance of closing out games.
“We played hard but we didn’t make the plays at the end,” said Schmidt. “[I am] proud of the effort, but we just have to close games out better…and we didn’t finish the way we needed to on the road.”
Last spring’s A-10 Tournament saw nine games that were decided by seven points or fewer. For the Bonnies to make a conference tournament run, they will have to find a way to win the close ones in the most important of games.
2.) Stronger Second Halves
In the first halves of games this season the Bonnies have outscored their opponents 951-773 (+178). However, in the second half of games, that dominance drops significantly. Bonaventure has been outscored 955-925 (-30) in the back half of games. The Bonnies also sit 0-5 in games that they have trailed at half.
Although early in the season Bonaventure threw their bench out in late moments with a lead, there have been games such as Utah State, VCU (1/24), Fordham (2/1) and Rhode Island that poor second halves have cost or nearly cost Bonaventure games.
Following a near 11-point blown lead to Fordham on Feb. 1, Schmidt acknowledged that his team needs to be better in the second half and learn from the scare.
“When you have a team down [in the second half], you have to keep them down,” said Schmidt. “During the last 15 minutes of the game [Fordham] has us on our heels. Nothing good is accomplished when you’re running backward. It was a learning experience. You can’t let up, and when we let up they got momentum.”
A full 40 minutes of basketball will be needed if the Bonnies will have success going forward.
3.) More Consistent Offensive Play
In 14 games before the New Year, Bonaventure scored 70 or more points in nine of 14 games played. Only one of the 14 games played took place against a conference opponent, in which Bonaventure scored 77 points.
In the 13 games after the New Year, all of which against conference foes, Bonaventure has scored 70 or more points in just five games. The Bonnies have scored 64 points or less in seven of those 13 outings, and 80+ points in two of those outings.
Freshman guard Noah Bolanga pointed out that the Bonnies offense has had its struggles following a loss to George Washington University on Feb. 9.
“We [have got to play] with more spacing,” said Bolanga. “We keep the ball too much in our hands. Our offense on half-court isn’t really that great, so we really have to focus on the defense to have an easy basket and we got to play more consistently for 40 minutes.”
Bonaventure will have a chance to turn defense into offense and win their second in a row as Duquesne visits the Reilly Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
