St. Bonaventure has played their best basketball of the season recently, and that’ll have to continue if they want to upset the best team in the Atlantic 10.
George Washington had won 19 straight games before Saint Louis upset them in Missouri on Feb. 11. The Billikens hit 7-of-11 from three, and 20-of-26 from the free throw line. The Bonnies will have to replicate similar offensive statistics to have a chance since the Colonials don’t really have a weakness.
“They really don’t have any flaws,” said Bona head coach Jim Crowley. “They do everything well and have an incredible talent in (Jonquel) Jones, and are every well coached.”
Jones averages 15.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. The Colonials are phenomenal as a team on the glass as they lead the conference with 47.4 rebounds per game.
Similar to Duquesne late last month, George Washington grabs offensive rebounds that they turn into second chance points.
“The key is to limit their attempts at the rim, so you have longer rebounds to track,” said Crowley. “As well as to know they are going to get some rebounds, but to limit their scores or fouls from those rebounds.”
The Bonnies have a solid defense to battle with George Washington’s third highest scoring offense. St. Bonaventure battled Duquesne, who scores the second most points, very well, but it’s George Washington’s defense that sometimes leads to points.
The Colonials lead the conference in steals with 10.5 a game. No team has a good chance of winning if they don’t take care of the ball, but against George Washington it’s nearly impossible to beat them if they’re scoring points off turnovers.
In Wednesday’s loss to Saint Louis the Colonials forced 14 turnovers, but only scored 11 points off them.
“They turn steals into points very quickly,” said Crowley. “So to limit easy scores we have to limit the number of times we give the ball away.”
The Bonnies have been good on offense the past four games. They’ve played with much better pace and efficiency. George Washington won’t make it easy considering they have the second best defense in the conference.
“(We have to) move the ball and make them defend longer than 10-15 seconds,” said Crowley.
Notes:
Coach Crowley said Hannah Little, who has been suspended the last three games, will dress on Sunday.
The game can be viewed for free here. The game starts at 2 p.m.
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