Campus Watch

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The News' Amy Moritz previews the NCAA Tournament opener for the St. Bonaventure women's team. The Bonnies, a No. 5 seed, face Florida Gulf Coast in a game expected to tip off around 2:30 p.m. Moritz will also be live blogging during the game and providing postgame audio analysis.

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NASHVILLE -- Rodney McKissic and Bob DiCesare break down St. Bonaventure's 66-63 loss to Florida State in the NCAA Tournament:

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The News' Brian Meyer compiled this slideshow as Rodney McKissic and Bob DiCesare preview this afternoon's game:

---The Bonnies appear loose and carefree, apparently because they've heaped all the pressure on Florida State.

“Florida State is supposed to win,’’ Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt said. “They got the pressure on them. Going into the Atlantic 10 Tournament, we weren’t supposed to win that. I think when you go out there and play like it’s a pickup game, you have a better chance. You don’t have that monkey on your back. We’ve got some good players that play well together but when you play loose, you have a better chance. That’s not to say we’re going to win, but no one has expected us to be here.’’

The Bonnies are currently six-point underdogs.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

NASHVILLE -- Rodney McKissic and Bob DiCesare preview Friday's NCAA Tournament matchup between the No. 14 seed St. Bonavanture Bonnies and No. 3 seed Florida State Seminoles:

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Earlier today, McKissic and DiCesare reported about the atmosphere at the Bonnies' practice.

NASHVILLE -- Rodney McKissic and Bob DiCesare report from the Bonnies' practice, a day before they face Florida State in the NCAA Tournament:

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---NASHVILLE, Tenn. -One of the main attractions to St. Bonaventure for guard Matthew Wright, in addition being close to his home in Toronto, was the presence of Andrew Nicholson.

Guards like to play with talented big men – they free up space to shoot, make them look better on assists, clog up the middle when they get beaten defensively, etc. – and Nicholson forced NBA scouts to come to Olean to watch practice, giving his teammates exposure as well.

“As a guard, you want to affiliate yourself with a good big man and me knowing that he’s getting a lot of looks by NBA team, he draws the NBA scouts to practice,’’ Wright said. “If you practice well, they also see you.’’

Point guard Charlon Kloof said it was one of the greatest moments when coach Mark Schmidt informed the team that scouts were in attendance.

“At first you’re nervous, but then that’s why I like my seniors that much and my coaches so they’ll walk you through it,’’ Kloof said. “Once you’re comfortable, then it’s over but it’s a great experience.’’

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)