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giocherà in finale ai China Open contro Tien

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Battuto De Minaur, Sinner vola in finale a Pechino. Il n.2 del tennis si è imposto sull’australiano 6-3 4-6 6-2. L’azzurro, n.2 del tennis mondiale, supera l’australiano  in tre set con il punteggio di 6-3 4-6 6-2. 

Ora, Learner Tien, lo statunitense, di 19 anni e numero 52 Atp, si giocherà il titolo contro Sinner, dopo avere avuto la meglio in semifinale su Daniil Medvedev, costretto a ritirarsi al terzo set. Il russo, numero 8 del seeding e 18 del mondo, ha vinto il primo set 7-5, si è arreso nel secondo con lo stesso parziale, poi al terzo si è ritirato sul 4-0 per guai fisici.

 

 

 

Jannik Sinner e Alex De Minaur (gettyimages)

18/02/2024

Accolti da applausi fragorosi sia Sinner che de Minaur. Poi la partita, e la “pratica de Minaur”, per l’11a volta, è chiusa da Jannik ma non con scioltezza.

I due giocatori

Freddo, apparentemente di ghiaccio ma sentimentale e potente, intenso, ed in un momento difficile: è Jannik Sinner, che si trovava davanti l’australiano, veloce determinato ma anche “fumantino” (ruppe una racchetta proprio dopo aver perso il match point con il campione azzurro, nel 2024, in coppa Davis). In palio l’accesso alla finale degli Atp 500 di Pechino, ma anche i punti da rosicchiare per risalire la china fino alla prima posizione Atp, al momento saldamente in mano al suo “nemico” storico, Alcaraz. 

Sinner-De Minaur, una semifinale che scotta
 

Jannik Sinner contro Alex de Minaur, tennis Cina Open a Pechino, Cina

Jannik Sinner contro Alex de Minaur, tennis Cina Open a Pechino, Cina (Ansa)

Il sofferto gioco di Jannik
La “sofferenza” di Jannik alla ricerca delle soluzioni per rendere il suo gioco più imprevedibile, si era vista tutta, contro Marozsan ha rastrellato solo 12 punti nel primo set, ma nel secondo il quadro è cambiato. Una prestazione comunque da leone, senza scampo per il rivale in campo. Il tennista altoatesino ha continuato a sperimentare, mancando più occasioni per strappare il servizio e subendo un break al nono game, prima del contro break e dell’allungo sul 7-5. Però, rispetto almeno ai suo standard altissimi di gioco, la sofferenza c’è stata. 

Il servizio, l’aggressività: i punti dolenti del gioco 
A elencare i motivi per cui non è soddisfatto della prestazione di ieri, è stato lo stesso Sinner, sempre sincero e critico sulle sue prestazioni: “Ho faticato a tenere il servizio, più di una volta sono andato sotto 0-30. Ma nel complesso sono soddisfatto della mia tenuta mentale”, ha spiegato Sinner, dopo la vittoria sull’ungherese Fabian Marozsan per 6-1 7-5, in un’ora a 20 minuti. 

“Ho provato a essere aggressivo dal fondo e ad andare un po’ a rete, ma giocavamo velocissimi ed era difficile”, ha dettto il n.2 del ranking.

Jannik Sinner contro Alex de Minaur, tennis Cina Open a Pechino, Cina

Jannik Sinner contro Alex de Minaur, tennis Cina Open a Pechino, Cina (Ansa)

Sperimentare: la chiave 
Il tennista altoatesino ha continuato a sperimentare, mancando più occasioni per strappare il servizio e subendo un break al nono game, prima del contro break e dell’allungo sul 7-5. “Onestamente, credo non si debba fare sempre punto con le smorzate. A parte il fatto che non sono a quei livelli lì.”

Chi è Alex de Minaur: il “folle” indemoniato con la racchetta
L’avversario di Sinner a Pechino ha un profilo estroso, come idolo Roger Federer, un tatuaggio sul petto per la Coppa Davis, il “demone” Alex de Minaur si giocherà la semifinale all’Atp 500 di Pechino colpo su colpo, palla su palla senza mollare un attimo, questo è certo. Cocenti le sconfitte precedenti con Jannik. 

Classe 1999 e numero 8 del ranking Atp, non poco, l’australiano è approdato alla penultima fase del torneo dopo il ritiro di Mensik ai quarti di finale.

alex de minaur

alex de minaur (Ap)

21/11/2024

Carriera di de Minaur
Inizia a giocare a tennis a quattro anni. Due volte finalista alle Next Gen Atp Finals, ha conquistato 10 titoli nel circuito maggiore, incluso l’ATP 500 di Acapulco nel 2023 e 2024. Nei tornei del Grande Slam, al massimo ha raggiunto i quarti di finale. Il suo ranking migliore è stato la sesta posizione, raggiunta nel luglio 2024. 
 

ATP 500 Pechino, Sinner vs Marozsan

ATP 500 Pechino, Sinner vs Marozsan (ansa)



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LeBron James (glute) sidelined to open Lakers’ training camp

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  • Dave McMenaminSep 30, 2025, 06:42 PM ET

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    • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
    • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — LeBron James was sidelined to open training camp Tuesday with what Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick called “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.”

James, who turns 41 in December, will become the first player in league history to have played 23 seasons when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on opening night next month.

Redick said “the goal” was for James to be recovered in time for the Warriors game, but the coach did not rule out James participating in at least one of the Lakers’ six preseason games.

“It’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading into opening night for him,” Redick said of James. “Obviously in Year 23, it’s uncharted territory here.”

Redick said that James “probably did too much” in training camp last fall to show “buy-in” and ready himself and the team during Redick’s maiden voyage as a head coach.

“It’ll be a slower process with him leading into the first game,” Redick said. “He’s obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body and he’s dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.

“So, we’re just playing the long game with LeBron.”

James told ESPN on Monday that “it remains to be seen” how much he planned to participate in training camp this year.

“I’m still ramping things back up,” James told ESPN. “I’m not where I want to be. But I mean, I don’t want to be where I want to be right now in September. So, I got some time and I’m looking forward to the process of getting there.”

James’ camp met with the Lakers’ brass leading up to training camp with a directive for the team to be “overly cautious” with the four-time champion in the early going to preserve him for a hopefully long playoff run, sources told ESPN.

James, who averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds for L.A. last season, came into that campaign declaring his intention to play in all 82 games. He played L.A.’s first 23 games before struggling in early December, leading to an eight-day absence when he sat out two games to address soreness in his left foot. This after James played in three out of the Lakers’ six preseason games last October.

L.A. opens up its six-game preseason slate against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, California, on Friday.

James will not play against the Suns, sources told ESPN. But Redick said “it would be nice” to have James suit up for at least one preseason game.

“We would love to have that happen,” Redick added.

While James watched practice in street clothes Tuesday, Lakers guard Austin Reaves said he still made his presence felt.

“You know, it’s Bron, he’s always going to observe kind of communicate [what he sees],” Reaves said. “I think that’s the approach that he’s going to take right now, [which] is just being one of our vocal leaders. That’s what he’s done his whole career.”

Redick said that the Lakers also did not have Gabe Vincent (left knee management), Marcus Smart (left Achilles tendinopathy) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee swelling) available for full participation in their opening practice. Redick added that Vincent should be available for the preseason opener against the Suns.

As for the Lakers who did fully participate to begin training camp?

“Uh, Luka [Doncic] was pretty good,” Redick said with a smile.



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Jannik Sinner batte De Minaur in tre set (6-3; 4-6; 6-2) e va in finale all’Atp di Pechino per la terza volta di fila, trova Tien. «Ma ho avuto problemi intestinali»

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Sinner più lucido di fatica e crampi: «Partita diversa dal solito, ma ho tenuto e sono contento». E ora la finale

(di Marco Calabresi) Dopo 21 set persi consecutivamente, Alex De Minaur è riuscito a portare Jannik Sinner al terzo, ma la miglior versione dell’australiano non è bastata neanche stavolta. Sinner (che ha chiuso 6-3 4-6 6-2) giocherà per il terzo anno di fila la finale a Pechino, sarà la settima in otto tornei nel 2025 (ha mancato l’appuntamento solo a Halle) e la trentesima in carriera (20 vittorie e 9 sconfitte il bilancio).

Per la seconda volta durante l’Atp 500 nella capitale cinese (era già successo contro Atmane), Jannik è stato trascinato al set decisivo: altre due ore e 20′ in campo anche oggi, un dolore al gluteo subito smaltito e un principio di crampi al momento di servire per il match. La fatica si è fatta sentire, ma la lucidità è stata ancora maggiore, grazie a una prima di servizio al 62% ma con un’efficienza dell’85%. Tra Sinner e il titolo, domani alle 8, uno tra Daniil Medvedev (contro cui, proprio a Pechino, vinse per la prima volta dopo sei sconfitte di fila) o il giovane americano Learner Tien, che ieri ha approfittato del ritiro di Lorenzo Musetti.

«È stata una partita di grande livello – l’analisi di Sinner -, con tanti grandi scambi. Io ho avuto le mie chance nel secondo set ma lui ne ha avute di più.  È stato un match molto equilibrato, in cui ho provato ad alzare il livello nel terzo set, ma in generale è stata una partita molto diversa dal solito. Lui ha servito e risposto bene, ma ho servito bene anch’io, anche perché Alex è un giocatore che si muove in maniera molto veloce sul campo. Ho cercato di rimanere concentrato e di non perdere troppe energie mentali, anche perché non ho avrò giorni di riposo ma solo una notte per recuperare. In finale, però, c’è molta più adrenalina e non vedo l’ora di giocare». 

De Minaur è cliente scomodissimo nonostante le dieci vittorie di fila di Sinner diventate 11: è il giocatore che ha vinto di più sul cemento quest’anno (34 partite, seguono a 33 Alcaraz e Fritz, protagonisti oggi della finale a Tokyo). Sinner lo ha capito subito, privilegiando il suo gioco tradizionale e senza ricorrere troppo ai cambiamenti che si è ripromesso dopo aver perso a New York: è sceso a rete con una volée di rovescio sulla quale è stato passato da «Demon», ma ha risposto con un due giocate straordinarie e una combo servizio+diritto, i primi tre di otto punti consecutivi che sono valsi il break sul 4-2. Jannik si è poi concesso un attimo di pausa nel suo gioco, ha concesso le prime due palle break della partita, le ha annullate e poi ha chiuso 6-3.

Due turni di battuta tenuti a zero a inizio secondo set, ma Sinner ha iniziato a concedere qualcosa dal punto di vista fisico: De Minaur ha allargato le braccia dopo aver sbagliato un rovescio quasi in segno di resa, ma è proprio in quei momenti che Jannik ha iniziato a toccarsi il gluteo, lo stesso muscolo che ieri era stato fatale a Musetti. E così le palle break (tre) le ha avute De Minaur nel sesto game, annullate con le prime di servizio, la terza addirittura con l’ace a mettere una pezza su qualche sbavatura. De Minaur ha poi dovuto mettere tutto se stesso per cancellare la palla break nel settimo game al termine di uno scambio massacrante che ha lasciato Sinner in ginocchio, annullando anche la seconda, e lo stesso Sinner ne ha dovute disinnescare altre tre nell’ottavo game (alla fine saranno 11 su 12) sempre grazie all’aiuto del servizio. Bene la battuta, meno il resto: un rovescio sul nastro ha dato il set point all’australiano, trasformato con un diritto all’incrocio delle righe.

La partita si è complicata, ma Sinner è stato bravissimo a riportarla subito dalla sua parte: break a zero nel game di apertura con un lungolinea di rovescio, tre palle dell’1-1 annullate (la terza addirittura con la seconda), altro break sul 3-0, con Jannik che dopo due ore ha giocato il primo serve and volley e nel sesto game la prima palla corta. Meglio badare al sodo, anche perché al momento di servire per il match sono iniziati ad arrivare anche i crampi, quindi era il momento di chiudere.



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Mirra Andreeva posts message to fans at the China Open after her latest match at the tournament

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Mirra Andreeva is through to the last 16 of the China Open after a win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Andreeva came through in straight sets, needing no time at all to secure a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

Andreeva has made some tweaks to her game this year and is perhaps still striving for a breakthrough event when it comes to the Grand Slams.

The Russian did make the quarters at Wimbledon in 2025 and reached the last four of the French Open in 2024, but the teenager is capable of achieving stardom in her career.

Andreeva was beaten by Taylor Townsend at the US Open, and after that shock result, she’s taken some time away from the court and rested up ahead of the Asian swing.

Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

Mirra Andreeva sends message to China Open fans

Andreeva was clearly delighted to keep progressing in the tournament, with her place at the WTA Finals not yet cemented.

A lot of the players have been asked about the crowds in China and now, Andreeva has delivered her verdict on the spectators watching the matches.

She said: “Honestly, when so many people support me, I never feel pressure. I only feel extra strength that is with me on the court.

“Thank you guys for the support. It’s always great to play in front of you. You’re some of the best supporters in the world. You give a lot of motivation to me.”

Andreeva could thrive at the WTA Finals if she qualifies

The 18-year-old is still technically very raw when it comes to the WTA Tour, and she looks set for a very bright future in the sport.

There is no real rush for Andreeva to start winning big prizes, and the more experience she gains on the tour will place her in good shape for the future.

Andreeva will hope to keep winning matches and get herself into the WTA Finals at the end of the year, which takes place in Saudi Arabia.

The teenager is a player who simply loves competing against top stars, and as a result, making that event will surely be her priority between now and the end of the campaign.





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Aryna Sabalenka vs. Marta Kostyuk Head to Head Record, Prediction and Betting Odds for WTA Italian Open 2025 Round-of-16

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The Belarusian has a 2-0 record against Kostyuk on clay court.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Marta Kostyuk Head to Head Record, Prediction and Betting Odds for WTA Italian Open 2025 Round-of-16

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka will take on Marta Kostyuk in the round-of-16 clash of the 2025 Italian Open. The Belarusian fought back from a set down to beat Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in third-round. Marta Kostyuk got better of Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to set a date with Sabalenka on Monday.

Chasing her first Italian Open title, Sabalenka took 2 hours and 13 minutes to counter the former Australian Open winner in Round-of-32. The world No. 1 converted 6/23 break points and won her 8th consecutive game. Sabalenka can eye her third 1000 series title of the season as her main rivals like Swiatek and Pegula got eliminated last weekend. With an astonishing 33-5 record this year and titles in Madrid and Miami, Sabalenka is clear favourite to win the Rome Masters this season.

Also Read: 2025 Italian Open – Holger Rune, Elena Rybakina, Stefanos Tsitsipas out as Weekend turns graveyard for top seeds

On the flip side, Marta Kostyuk faces a toughest assignment to reach maiden quarterfinals in Italian Open. She beat Alexandra Eala, Daria Kasatkina, and Leylah Fernandez in her glorious campaign at Rome without dropping a single set. The Ukrainian ace reached the quarterfinals in Doha, and Madrid.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Marta Kostyuk Head to Head Record

Aryna Sabalenka has a 3-0 record against Marta Kostyuk. Their last meeting was one month back in Madrid and Sabalenka won 7-6(4) 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals. The Belarusian has a 2-0 record against Kostyuk on clay court.

Event Round Winner Score
2025 Madrid Quarterfinals Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4) 7-6(7)
2023 Paris Round-1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2
2022 Dubai Round-1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1

Aryna Sabalenka vs Marta Kostyuk Career Comparison

Aryna Sabalenka Category Marta Kostyuk
3 Grand Slams 1
20 WTA Singles Titles 1
6 WTA Doubles Titles 2
9 WTA-1000 Titles 0
R2 (Tokyo 2020) Olympics Best Performance QF (Paris 2024)
No. 1 Current World Ranking No. 29

Aryna Sabalenka vs Marta Kostyuk Italian Open 2025 Prediction

Sabalenka has always been a tough opponent for any player specially on clay court where she went 9-1 in the current season. However, Marta Kostyuk also posted a 10-3 record on this surface and currently, she is having her best campaign in the Rome Masters.

The Ukrainian ace didn’t win a single set out of three meetings against Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian has won 33 WTP matches this year, most by any player and is already on eight-match winning streak. Sabalenka is clear favourites to win the Round-of-16 tie against Kostyuk on Monday.

Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in straight sets.

Also Read: Aryana Sabalenka Squeezes Past Sofia Kenin to Storm into Rome Masters Last 16

Aryna Sabalenka vs Marta Kostyuk Italian Open 2025 Betting Odds

A 2-0 Sabalenka victory seems to be the most common bet for success.

Moneyline: Sabalenka -325, Kostyuk +280.
Spread: Sabalenka -4.5 (-115), Kostyuk +4.5 (-110).
Total games: Over 20.5 (-115), Under 20.5 (-110).

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports





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Runnin’ Utes open Big 12 play with loss to Baylor Bears

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The Runnin’ Utes Big 12 era has begun.

And, with a grueling schedule on the horizon, Utah head coach Craig Smith was still looking for answers as his team prepared to take on No. 25 Baylor on New Year’s Eve.

A week earlier, Utah led Iowa by 11 at one point, but crumbled due to second-half defensive miscues in the paint, which allowed the Hawkeyes to win by seven points.

The same defensive issues, Smith said, were present in Utah’s losses to Saint Mary’s and Mississippi State earlier this season.

“Our second-half defense is what let us down,” Smith said, “especially like the last 10 minutes or so of the game. We have to get better. You’ve got to be able to be able to get stops when you need to get stops to win those types of games. We’re probably eight to 10 possessions away from being undefeated.

“We’re close, really close, but you have to be able to finish those games.”

The Utes’ Big 12 opener exposed even more issues.

Baylor cruised to an 81-56 victory on the final day of 2024. The Bears jumped out to an 11-0 lead as Utah missed its first six shots of the day. The Utes went 1-for-12 from deep in the first half and trailed by 20 at the break. They were never able to recover.

Hunter Erickson led Utah with 13 points. Mason Madsen had 10. Gabe Madsen finished with just three points on a 1-of-7 performance.

Baylor had four scorers in double figures, led by 19 from guard VJ Edgecombe.

The Utes were already 0-3 against Quad 1 and Quad 2 non-conference opponents in the NCAA’s NET Rankings. But Smith said he was determined to get the Utes back on track.

That makes Utah’s path in the Big 12 that much more important if it wants to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.

Nine of the Big 12’s 16 teams currently rank inside the top 50 in the NET. Each of Utah’s first three conference opponents — Baylor, Texas Tech and Iowa State — are all inside of the top 25 of the rankings. Even with Tuesday’s loss, the Utes still have a chance to make some early noise in their new conference.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah men’s basketball team takes on Queens at the Huntsman Center on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

That starts with fixing their defensive issues.

“I always feel like everything’s fixable,” Smith said this week. “You just have to identify what it is, right? And so at the end of the day, we just haven’t been able to get enough stops late in the game against all three of those teams.

“There’s a lot to look at. Are certain guys playing too many minutes? You know, is it a scheme? Do we have to mix things up more? The other thing is, just, we have to be better with concentration and focus then we have to carry it forward.”

So far, Smith has already tinkered with his lineups.

To start the season, junior guard Mike Sharavjamts started nine straight games before slowly being transitioned into a bench role. He has played an average of 10.7 minutes per game in Utah’s last four contests.

Mason Madsen, the brother of Gabe Madsen, started his first game as a Ute against Iowa, scoring a season-high 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting. A game before, Erickson was slotted into the starting guard spot in Utah’s win against Florida A&M.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) as Utah hosts Eastern Washington, NCAA basketball in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

“I wouldn’t say anybody solidified in this spot or that spot,” Smith said. “We can go a lot of different ways. And you know, it might be a thing that keeps revolving until somebody really owns up to it

“It could be a thing where certain guys have a great week of practice. It could be or they start really playing super sound. It could be a thing where matchups dictate it.”

The emergence of Caleb Lohner, who played with Utah’s football team as a tight end in the fall, has also affected the front-court rotation.

Rice sophomore transfer forward Keanu Dawes played at least 16 minutes in his first six appearances. In his last three appearances, he’s played less than 11 minutes in each contest and didn’t even see the floor against the Hawkeyes.

“He’s got a very bright future,” Smith said of Dawes. “But you have to demonstrate that on a consistent basis. Certainly (Keanu’s) right in the picture. He’s just gotta keep going and keep getting better and keep pushing forward.”

For now, though, the Utes are still in search of their first big win of the season.

“We have to find a way to get stops,” Smith said. “That’s the bottom line. We have to be able to find a way to get stops and possessions on a consistent basis against good teams.”



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Bonnies Open Atlantic 10 Play With Marquee Home Game vs. VCU

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By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

ST. BONAVENTURE (12-1) vs. VCU (10-3)
Tuesday, Dec. 31 – 2:00 p.m.
Reilly Center
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Bonnies Online Network / 100.1 FM The Hero
 
OPENING TIP
St. Bonaventure opens Atlantic 10 play on New Year’s Eve afternoon by welcoming preseason A-10 favorite VCU to the Reilly Center after the best non-conference slate for the program during Bona’s A-10 era.

The Bonnies have their best start to a season since the 1969-70 Final Four team also opened that campaign at 12-1.

The hot start for the Bonnies this season has put this year’s team in the conversation with some of the best in program history. Bona has a 12-1 record through 13 games for the fifth time – in the previous instances, SBU made a national postseason tournament: 1969-70 (opened 12-1, reached NCAA Final Four); 1960-61 (opened 21-1, reached the first NCAA Tournament in school history); 1958-59 (opened 15-1, finished 20-3 and reached NIT); 1950-51 (opened 12-1, finished 19-6 and reached NIT). Bona has only had two better starts through 13 games all-time: 1967-68 (23-0, NCAA) and ’51-52 (16-0, NIT).

The Bonnies have won nine of their last 11 Atlantic 10 openers, including an 89-78 win at VCU last January.

 

STARTING FIVE

  • By winning 12 of 13 games to begin the year, the Bonnies have had their best stretch of a baker’s dozen games during a season since 2018 when the team went on a 13-game winning streak on the way to a 26-win season and NCAA First Four win over UCLA that year.

  • Melvin Council Jr. filled the stat sheet in the non-conference finale victory over Niagara on Dec. 21, doing everything in the victory with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

  • St. Bonaventure scored a season sweep of Big 4 rivals Buffalo, Canisius and Niagara for the first time since 2015-16 – the Bonnies did not play Niagara between 2020-22, however.

  • The Bonnies have produced a winning record in Atlantic 10 play in eight of the past 10 years as well as last year’s .500 mark in league play of 9-9.

  • St. Bonaventure has nearly made as many free throws (176) as its opponents have attempted (177).

RECEIVING VOTES
St. Bonaventure was named in the AP Top 25 poll released Dec. 16, receiving votes for the first time this season. The Bonnies garnered four voter points in the Dec. 23 poll.

It is the first time that the Bonnies have garnered AP Top 25 votes since November 2021. St. Bonaventure was last ranked in the AP Top 25 during the 2021-22 season as well, opening the year ranked No. 23 before rising as high as No. 16 in the national poll following a title victory in the 2021 Charleston Classic.

IN THE METRICS

Bona’s enters the Atlantic 10 schedule ranking high in several national metrics.

In the NCAA NET rankings, the Bonnies stand 52 as of Dec. 29, second in the Atlantic 10 behind only Dayton (41). SBU stands at No. 76 in KenPom and No 58 in the Torvik T-Rank system.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

St. Bonaventure last played on New Year’s Eve two years ago, starting Atlantic 10 play with a dominant home win over UMass, 83-64. Since 2000, the Bonnies have played on New Year’s Eve just four times, going 1-3, though only the 2022 matchup was a conference game.

WINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

St. Bonaventure is 5-0 in the month of December thus far and will try to close out a perfect month on the calendar. A win Tuesday would give the Bonnies their first perfect month since going 7-0 in January 2021.

DOMINANT DEFENSE

Strong defense has always been a staple under head coach Mark Schmidt. The Bonnies have allowed on average under 69 points per game in each of the past six seasons. Bona’s defense has been one of the nation’s best thus far this season, holding opponents to 59.6 points per game. Bona opponents have failed to reach 60 points in eight of 13 contests so far.

At the end of non-conference, the Bonnies ranked 10th in the country in scoring defense. According to KenPom, SBU ranks 36th nationally in defensive efficiency. Since KenPom began tracking in 1997, the Bonnies have ranked higher in defensive efficiency just once: the 2020-21 Atlantic 10 Championship season (20th). 

In the Dec. 4 win at Bucknell, Bona held the Bison to 47 points on their home court. It was the lowest scoring output by a Bonnies opponent since SBU limited Cleveland State to 42 points in a win at home Dec. 7, 2022. It was the first time that the Bonnies have held an opponent under 50 points on the road since holding George Mason to 49 in a win on the Patriots home court Jan. 8, 2020. St. Bonaventure would quickly hold another team under 50 on its home floor as the Bonnies locked Siena down to 48 points in their home arena Dec. 17.

How SBU ranks defensively among all Division I teams (as of Dec. 28):

Scoring defense – 10th (59.6 ppg)

Field goal percentage defense – 25th (38.7%)

Turnover margin: 51st (+3.0)

Steals per game – 53rd (8.9)

Three-point percentage defense – 72nd (30.3%)

Blocks per game – 83rd (4.2)

Rebound margin: 91st (+4.8)

Turnovers forced per game: 92nd (14.1)

The Bonnies have been strong defensively without fouling – Bona is committing only 13 fouls per game, ranking eighth nationally in fewest fouls per contest.

 

BONA BALANCE

St. Bonaventure hasn’t had just one or two stars in its strong start. Prior to point guard Dasonte Bowen suffering a foot injury which has cost him the past three games, four of Bona’s five starters were averaging in double figures while all five were posting 9.0+ ppg.

COUNCIL AT THE POINT

Melvin Council Jr. has shined since taking over the point guard duties during Dasonte Bowen’s absence. The Rochester native has been a do-it-all dynamo for the Bonnies, averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.3 steals with a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in the past three contests. He logged a season-high 24 points to key the win over Providence Dec. 14, then had the most steals by a Bona player (7) in two decades Dec. 17 at Siena. Against Niagara last time out, he had 14 points and a season-best seven assists along with eight rebounds and three steals.

 

TRENDING NUMBERS

11 – St. Bonaventure sank a season-best 11 3-pointers in the win over Niagara Dec. 21 to finish non-conference play. Bona’s previous high in a game was eight, set three times.

28 – Chance Moore’s 28 offensive rebounds on the year are tied for fourth among all Atlantic 10 players and the most by any A-10 guard.

32 – Melvin Council Jr. has swiped 32 steals this season, the most by any player in the Atlantic 10 thus far.

47% – Lajae Jones drained four 3-pointers in the win over Niagara. For the season, he has hit on over 47 percent of his 3-point tries (17-36), best on the team.

115 – Noel Brown will suit up for his 115th career collegiate game vs. VCU.

 

SERIES HISTORY

St. Bonaventure leads, 10-8

This will be the 19th meeting all-time between St. Bonaventure and VCU. The Bonnies have won six of the last eight contests between the two programs. This will mark the second consecutive year that the Bonnies and Rams have opened up A-10 play against each other, though it is the first time that the Bonnies have begun conference action by hosting VCU.

Last year, the Bonnies led wire-to-wire in a convincing win in Richmond over the Rams, 89-78. The 89 points posted by Bona’s in that game represents the program’s all-time high vs. VCU and gave the program back-to-back wins at VCU’s Siegel Center for the first time.  Later in the season, the Bonnies capped their first-ever season sweep of VCU with a 67-62 win at the Reilly Center.

The rivalry has been an entertaining one in recent years. In 2022-23, the Bonnies scored a dramatic 61-58 win at VCU. The 2021 Atlantic 10 Championship Game came as the rubber match between the Bonnies and Rams after splitting two regular season meetings that year. St. Bonaventure captured its second Atlantic 10 title in program history, 74-65, over VCU in Dayton that season.

Prior to their first matchup as A-10 foes in 2013, the Bonnies defeated VCU in back-to-back years during the late 70s – a 63-61 victory in the 1978 ECAC Championship Game to reach the NCAA Tournament as well as a victory in the following season on home court. In the 1978 ECAC Championship, Tim Waterman’s buzzer-beater sent the Bonnies to victory – and a spot in the NCAA Tournament – in Rochester’s War Memorial Stadium with one of the most memorable shots in program history. 

 

ABOUT VCU

  • The Rams were picked as the A-10 preseason favorite after returning a conference-high 65 percent of its scoring from last year’s team that finished 24-14 overall. Preseason First Team selection Max Shulga and Second Team honorees Zeb Jackson and Joe Bamisile lead the way. Bamisile posts 17.0 ppg and 5.4 rpg while Shulga (16.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Jackson (11.3, 3.1 rpg) are scoring threats in any contest. Jackson was also selected to the league’s preseason All-Defensive Team.

  • The contest should be a low-scoring one, featuring two of the nation’s top-15 defenses: While the Bonnies finished non-conference play 10th nationally in points allowed per game (59.6), VCU checked in at 14th by surrendering only 61.3 ppg and limiting opponents to 38.6 shooting from the floor on average, a total that stands 25th nationally.

  • VCU went 10-3 in non-conference but played just one true road game – a loss at New Mexico, 78-71, on Dec. 18. The Rams scored two power conference wins in non-conference play – at home over Boston College (80-55) and on a neutral floor vis Miami (77-70) in the Charleston Classic.

  • The Rams have made 122 3-pointers, more than any other A-10 team except Saint Louis (123). VCU loves to shoot the 3 – their 385 attempts from long range (29 per game) are far and away the most in the A-10 and ranks 23rd nationally. Their 31.7 percent success rate stands just 13th in the A-10, however.



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