Written By Matthew Shalloe
Yesterday afternoon, the NCAA dropped their first AP Poll of the year, ranking the top 25 teams in the country. Well, down here in Olean, the feeling on campus was joyful all morning long. The rankings dropped at noon eastern time, and the morning was filled with anticipation. 12 o’clock hit, and everyone raced to their phones to see where this team would rank.
For the first time since 1971, the Bonnies were ranked, coming in at number 23 in the first AP poll of the 2021 NCAA basketball season.
Just three seasons ago, the Bonnies came into the season with a preseason ranking of 10th in the Atlantic 10. Fast forward to now, and according to the poll, there are only 22 teams better in the entire country. Times are changing in downstate NY, and the fans will be ready to return to the Reilly Center to root on a ranked squad.
It all started in the 2018 season, with freshman studs like Kyle Lofton, Dom Welch, and Osun Osunniyi. Now, that core still remains, with three years and a NCAA Tournament worth of experience under their belt. The Bonnies return the same starting five from last season, which may be one of the biggest keys to their projected success this season.
St. Bonaventure’s bench received an upgrade as well this offseason. A team that lacked depth for much of the last couple years, brought in key transfers for the upcoming season. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly comes in from the University of Pittsburgh, and Quadry Adams comes in from Wake Forest. Two guys with ACC experience who can only help this Bonnies team.
The team will enjoy getting back to a regular schedule after the season that COVID-19 forced all NCAA basketball teams to deal with a year ago.
When it comes to a non-conference schedule, the Bonnies have an opportunity to pick up quality wins that will bolster their resume later in the season. They will play against big time programs like Boise State and Virginia Tech, two teams that have had success in the past couple of years.
The 23rd ranked Bonnies will open their season with an exhibition game with Alfred State on November 4th, at home in the Reilly Center. Five days later, they host Siena to kick things off for real in 2021.
GO BONNIES.
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