Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (6-4, 3-1 neutral) vs St. Bonaventure Bonnies (6-3, 0-0 neutral)
When: Thursday, December 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
TV: None
Where: Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY
The Opponent: The Bonnies enter Thursday's action coming off a 112-107 4 OT victory against the Ohio Bobcats. The game was the longest in the school's 91-year history and improved St. Bonaventure's record to 6-3, with their losses coming against Canisius, Cleveland State, and Niagra. SBU does have a rather impressive 67-66 victory at St. John's.
The Hokies and Bonnies were both members of the Atlantic 10 from 1995-2000, with the schools meeting five times during that span. Tech has lost three straight to SBU, but the Bonnies have since forfeited their victory in 2002 due to an ineligible player. The two squads have not met on the court since.
SBU relies heavily on its starting five to score. The Bonnies have used the same starting five for each of their nine games, and those five have scored 94.9% of SBU's points. Their bench has scored a grand total of 39 points this season, or an average of 4.3 points per game. Needless to say, if the Hokies put SBU into foul trouble, it will be a long night for the home team.
Forward Andrew Nicholson (6-9, 235 lbs) dropped 44 points in the 4 OT game against Ohio and is averaging 21.4 points per game for the Bonnies. The current A-10 Co-Player of the Week also leads the team with 10.2 rebounds per game and has garned five consecutive double-doubles. The junior was named to the preseason First and Defensive All A-10 teams for the Bonnies.
The Bonnies feature two other forwards in their starting lineup in Demetrius Conger (6-6, 205 lbs) and Da'Quan Cook (6-8, 235 lbs). Conger is second on the team in rebounds with 8.2 per game and recorded his third career double-double against Ohio. He also averages 11 points per game. Cook played just 14 minutes against Ohio due to foul trouble, but still managed seven points. He averages 9.4 per contest this season.
In the backcourt, SBU is led by senior Ogo Adegboye (6-0, 185 lbs). Adegboye played 59 of the 60 minutes against Ohio and leads the nation with 40.7 minuted played per game. The team captain has played in 179 of the last 180 minutes, a beyond ridiculous stat. He's third on the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game and leads the squad with 3.4 assists per contest. His backcourt running mate is Michael Davenport (6-5, 210 lbs). The junior ranks second on the team in scoring with 13.1 points per game.
Despite some rumored injuries, the Hokies should take care of business against an inferior team. However, the ACC has had some problems with lesser competition this season (see UVA vs Seattle or Wake Forest vs Presbyterian). Tech needs to come out of the gates like they did against Mississippi State in order to enjoy their Holiday Break.
