2009-2010 Season Preview
Will Andrew Nicholson endure a sophomore slump in 2009-2010?
After earning their first .500 record since the 2001-2002 season, the Bonnies will attempt to once again jump in the league standings under third year Head Coach Mark Schmidt. The returnees are headlined by the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in forward Andrew Nicholson, senior three point gunner Chris Matthews, and senior guard-forward Jonathan Hall. After qualifying for the league tournament for just the first time in the previous four years last season, the Brown and White seem poised to put together another solid if not spectacular campaign.
The Backcourt
Led by a solid scoring duo in seniors Chris Matthews (12.2 ppg) and Jonathan Hall (12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg), the Bonnies have two wings who are certainly capable of scoring the basketball. Last year, Matthews ranked 4th in the league in three pointers made (2.7 per game) but was a no show on far too many occasions. The always streaky Matthews failed to score in double figures ten times last year (A third of the team’s games), a figure that simply must improve if the Bonnies are going to take a real step forward this year. The solution? Matthews must find other ways to contribute on offense when his deep jumper is not falling, i.e using screens more effectively, or using a shot fake to draw the defender up while putting the ball on the floor. Hall, unlike Matthews, relies almost exclusively on scoring in the paint via pull up jumpers or drives off ball screens. While he is an awful three point shooter (17%), Hall is very productive overall (50% fg) when shooting due to many close range field goal attempts, and did lead the team in scoring, rebounding and assists per game last season; an underrated all around player.
Junior Malcolm Eleby returns as the starting point guard, though he will be challenged by JUCO transfer Ogo Adegboye for minutes. While Eleby did improve last year (7 pts, 3 ast), he still cannot be considered a top half point guard in the league, mostly due to his poor shooting percentages (16% from three, 38% overall) and poor assist/ turnover ratio: 89 assists with 78 turnovers. Ogo should give the Bonnies more quickness and some more offensive pop off the bench, as will ultra athletic sophomore Michael Davenport (3.3 pts) JUCO transfers Lewis Leonard ( 6′4″, 200) and incoming freshman Demitrius Conger (6′6″, 205). If the Bonnies can get improved play at the point guard spot and more consistent scoring on the wings, they should be able to free up enough space inside for Nicholson who all the sudden lacks a partner in crime down low.
The Frontcourt
For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Bonnies have a credible big man in the previously mentioned Nicholson. The Canadian logged just 25 minutes a game last year due to frequent foul trouble, but still managed to post impressive numbers (12.5 pts, 6 rpg, 2.7 blocks). Nicholson became a defensive force in the paint, forcing teams to settle for floaters and pull up jumpers instead of lay-ups and dunks. Nicknamed “The Eraser” on campus, Nicholson is the Bonnies best insurance policy on defense as he can cover up for mistakes on the perimeter by altering and blocking shots of both guards and forwards. While he must makes strides in learning how to pass out of the post, he is a very good shooter (60%, 2nd in A10) who can step out and hit 15 foot jumpers if left alone. Points of emphasis over the summer for Nicholson were surely in the weight room (just 220 pounds) and on the free throw line (61%).
Joining Nicholson on the blocks this year is a cast of unknowns. Sophomore Da’Quan Cook (1.6 ppg, 8 min) is the only frontcourt returnee with any experience. Cook already has the reputation as a blue collar player, not necessarily a good thing as a sophomore. He’s physical and can bang, but is not a scoring threat and has attempted just 20 shots in his career. Red shirt Jake Houseknecht (6′8″, 200) and Marquis Simmons (6′8″, 220) round out what appears to be both a thin and tremendously inexperienced frontcourt. With so much attention due to be given to Nicholson, Schmidt hopes someone in this second bunch will step up and provide him with minutes, rebounds and an occasional baskets to keep defenses honest. If the Bonnies can receive decent production from this group, Nicholson will have that much more room to work with his back to the basket, as well as that much more room to pass out of pressure, something he hasn’t shown the ability to due thus far.
The late off season addition of Brett Roseboro gives the Bonnies a little bit more depth amongst the “bigs” but fans shouldn’t view the Marquette transfer as a savior by any means. Nicholson was the exception, not the rule last year, as a forward who can step in from day one and become a big time impact player. People on campus tell us the Roseboro looks good in workouts and should absolutely see quality minutes, but let’s think more D’Lancy Carter figures than Nicholson for the freshman.
Newcomers
The following commentary was given to CollegeChalktalk .com earlier this summer when they caught up with Head Coach Mark Schmidt…
Demitrius Conger: 6-foot-6 from Brooklyn; Demitrius went to Covenant Christian Academy in Atlanta. Really athletic and long. Scorer’s mentality… he went for 31 or 32 against Oak Hill Academy last year. Good defensive player. I’m not saying he’s James Posey, who I coached at Xavier, but he has a similar body in that he’s long, lean and athletic… and we’re looking forward to having him contribute as a freshman.
Ogo Adegboye: 6-0, 180 pounds. JUCO (Lamar Community College, CO). Great kid. Born in Nigeria and moved to London, England where spent his childhood. He’s a very quick, athletic point guard. He can shoot the ball and can score, but he’s really got a great head on his shoulders and can make other players around him better. When I saw him play at the national tournament, I hadn’t even heard of Lamar, but the longer I watched this kid play the more impressed I was with him, just as a leader. So, we’re really excited to have him… we struggled at the point guard position at times last year and we’re hoping Ogo can be a guy that can come in and help us. Just a tremendous kid, a 4.0 student at Lamar.
And then we obviously have Marquis Simmons, Jake Houseknecht and Lewis Leonard who sat out last year and will give us some production inside and outside.
Marquee Non-Conference Matchup
The Bonnies will play host to the St. John’s Red Storm on Tuesday, November 17th, at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. While their match up with Syracuse at the Carrier Dome might generate more excitement to alumni, the contest against the Red Storm should be an extremely well balanced game. Both teams are coming off similar seasons (SJU won 16 games last year) and the location of the game should bring both Bonaventure as well as Red Storm supporters. The Bonnies knocked off a Big East team last year in Rutgers, they certainly will talent and crowd to knock off Norm Robert’s team in upstate New York.
Stat of Note
Last year, the Bonnies ranked dead last in the league in turnover margin (-2.62) and also coughed the ball over more times than any other team in the league (491). For a team that ranked 6th in scoring offense, 10th in scoring defense and 4th in rebounding margin, this is the stat the keeps Mark Schmidt up at night. Specifically, Andrew Nicholson will need to do a much better job of passing out of double teams this year; last year the freshman registered just 7 assists to go along with 62 turnovers. While Eleby, Matthews and Hall showed improvement in this area towards the end of last year, Nicholson has a great deal to learn. Given their decent scoring potential and run and gun offensive style, fewer turnovers could mean becoming one of the league’s highest powered offensives.
Player to Watch
Look for Michael Davenport to have a breakout year for the Bonnies this year.
Michael Davenport. The 6′4″ sophomore showed flashes of excellence last year, using his great athletic ability to become a great defender and energy man off the bench. Playing just over 11 minutes a game, Davenport averaged over three points and 2 rebounds, showing that he can go get the ball off the glass for a guard. What impresses us most about Davenport is his basketball I.Q and mature style of play. While not a great shooter (41%) he did convert very well at the line (89%) and often defends the opposing teams’ best guard. Look for Davenport to contribute a great deal on both sides of the ball this season; a jack of all trades but master of none kind of player, Davenport can help the Bonnies in many areas.
Season Outlook
After losing at least 34% in scoring, rebounding, and assists, the Bonnies could still have enough pieces to find themselves in the middle of the pack during conference play. While they could stand to upgrade at the point guard position, Eleby has shown signs of growth and the combination of Matthews and Hall gives the Brown and White three returning guards with solid Atlantic 10 experience. Nicholson should take another step forward in his development this year, and if he can stay out of foul trouble, could become of the elite forwards in the entire league. Areas of concern are frontcourt depth, turnovers and lack of consistent perimeter shooters which in turn could clog up the paint for the forwards as well as drive first guards like Hall.
Expectations for this group are as high as any season in recent memory in Olean, all due to just a .500 finish a year ago. That said, Schmidt has added talent and athleticism to the roster, and will continue to ask his team to push the basketball and play aggressive. With a tougher non-conference schedule than a year ago the record may not equate a vast jump in wins, but this should be the best squad that the Bona faithful have seen in several years.
