The Atlantic 10 Conference season tips off with a marquee matchup as St. Bonaventure (12-1) welcomes VCU (10-3) to the Reilly Center in St. Bonaventure, New York. The action gets underway at 2 p.m. ET Tuesday, with fans able to catch the game live on ESPN+.
VCU
After a week-long break, VCU is back on the court for a pivotal Atlantic 10 Conference clash. The Rams are coming off an impressive 20-point victory over William & Mary, showcasing their trademark defensive dominance.
Ranked No. 13 in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll, VCU’s defense has been a cornerstone of its success. The Rams are holding opponents to just 61.3 points per game, ranking 14th nationally, while forcing 15.7 turnovers per game, good for 33rd in the country. Their ability to contest shots and create havoc has been a key factor this season.
Offensively, the Rams feature a balanced attack with four players averaging double figures. Senior guard Joe Bamisile leads the way with 17 points per game, while fellow senior Max Shulga contributes 16.5 points and a team-best 44.4% from beyond the arc. Despite Shulga’s sharpshooting, VCU as a team is hitting just 31.7% of its 3-point attempts, leaving room for improvement from long range.
St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure, ranked No. 12 in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll, enters the game riding a six-game winning streak. The Bonnies’ only loss this season came in a tightly contested Quad 1 matchup against Utah State (12-1), falling by just five points on a neutral court. They’ve excelled in Quad 2 games, boasting wins over Northern Iowa and Providence, also on neutral courts.
Defensively, the Bonnies are among the nation’s elite, holding opponents to just 59.6 points per game (10th best in the NCAA) on 38.7% shooting (29th best). Their stifling defense has been a cornerstone of their success.
Offensively, the Bonnies rely on a balanced attack with four players averaging double figures. Senior guard Chance Moore, standing 6-foot-6, leads the way with 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, making him a force on both ends of the court. Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. is another key contributor, averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. A reliable shooter from beyond the arc, Council connects on 38.6% of his 3-point attempts, adding an important dimension to the Bonnies’ offense.
