Campus Watch

Canisius-Bona women's showdown

The clash between the best of the Big 4 tips off in about half an hour at the Koessler Athletic Center when Canisius hosts St. Bonaventure in women's basketball. Both teams are coming off WNIT years, with the Golden Griffins losing in the first round to Syracuse and Bona advancing to the Sweet 16.

Bona is looking to even the all-time series, which Canisius leading 22-21, but the Bonnies have won four of the last five meetings.

6:49 p.m. For the record, the Canisius game notes have the Griffs leading the all-time series, 21-19. 

7 p.m. The Griffs unveil their WNIT banner.

7:13 p.m. First media time out and Bona leads, 8-2 thanks to 3-pointers from Andrea Doneth and Jessica Jenkins.

7:21 p.m. Bona leads 12-5 with 11:27 left in the first half. The Bonnies man-to-man defense is putting pressure on the Griffs, who already have four team fouls. Brittane Russell picked up two which has her on the bench.

7:31 p.m. Russell is back in the game and a 3-pointer by her followed by a layup from driving the baseline brings the Griffs within four as Bona leads 18-14 with 6:03 left in the first half.

7:43 p.m. Play got a bit sloppy in the final two minutes but Bona takes a 28-22 lead at halftime.

8:01 p.m. Bona comes out on a 7-0 run with a jumper by Dana Mitchell, a steal and layup by Mitchell and a 3-pointer from Jenkins. Bonnies up, 35-22 with 18:33 left to play.

8:18 p.m. 3-pointers from Ashley Durham and Ellie Radke pull the Griffs within single digits. Bona leads, 46-38, with 10:25 to play.

8:26 p.m. Bona is holding on to the lead, 48-40 with 6:34 left to play.

8:43 p.m. The Bonnies improve to 3-0 with a 65-47 win. Mitchell leads all scorers with 22 points.

Post game: Dana Mitchell may be the best player to ever put on a St. Bonaventure uniform in the women's program. Regardless of the historical debate that can stir, Mitchell is the player through whom the Bona team flows. Last year, she had flashes of disappearing in the middle of games, coming on in the final minutes to take over and lead Bona to a win. It's only the third game of the season but Mitchell looks to have shaken that habit. She had eight points in the first half but seemed stronger with the ball, more willing to look for the ball and more active in the offense, even when she didn't take the shot.

Meanwhile, Bona's defense may be the best in the Big 4.

"They're just well-schooled defensively," Canisius coach Terry Zeh said. "They understand their roles defensively. They know what they're trying to do."

For Canisius, part of the problem was the Bona defense. The other problem was the Griffs offense.

The team shot just 33.3 percent from the field and had just four offensive rebounds yielding just two second chance points the entire game.

"We have a couple of veteran players but a lot of our younger players don't understand the whole thing yet," Zeh said. "It's taking us so much time to piece things together and we don't have a lot of time because the season has started. It will take us a while to get there."

--- Amy Moritz
www.twitter.com/amymoritz

Griffs pick up Bronx forward

Chris Manhertz, a 6-5 power forward from Cardinal Spellman High in the Bronx, has given a verbal commitment to Canisius according to a source. Manhertz is the 172nd ranked power forward in the country according to ESPN.com who has this to say about him:

'"Manhertz has very good leaping ability and athleticism, which helps him to overcome his lack of height for the post. He has very good quickness and when he receives the ball in the paint, he attacks the rim with great vigor. He rebounds the ball very well on both ends of the floor due to his good, quick leaping ability, length, as well as his overall aggression with respect to rebounding. He runs the floor very well and can finish in transition. Manhertz will have to continue to work on his post moves as well as add counter moves to his post repertoire for the paint when he encounters bigs with a height advantage."

The fall signing period begins Wednesday.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Asprilla visiting Canisius

Freddy Asprilla, the 6-foot-10, 280-pound center from Miami Dade College, arrived in Buffalo last night and is currently making his official visit at Canisius.

Asprilla was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2009 at Florida International, and currently one of the top junior college prospects in the country. Asprilla visited Kansas State last weekend and is scheduled to visit Hofstra this weekend. Asprilla is also being recruited by the likes of Oklahoma and Memphis.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic) 

Finally, UB releases its schedule

After months and months of waiting, UB finally released a complete schedule with four home games before the MAC schedule kicks in. But the highlight is a road game at Purdue.

The Bulls start the season Nov. 15 against Vermont in an ESPN BracketBuster return game Following the opener with Vermont, they hit the road for a pair of games against Navy on Nov. 19 and Towson on Nov. 21. UB returns home to face Big 4 rival Canisius (Nov. 24) in the first of back-to-back home games. They will host Army on Dec. 3.

The Bulls play the Boilermakers on Dec. 5 and at Big 4 rival Niagara on Dec. 9 before returning home to host Division III Buffalo State on Dec. 12 then a trip to Wisconsin-Green Bay on Dec. 22. UB will compete in the UCF Holiday Classic in Orlando. The Bulls will play Jacksonville on Dec. 29 and face either UCF or Liberty on Dec. 30. The Bulls open MAC play at home against Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 9 in the first of five straight games against East Division foes.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Why not Canisius?

I've received a ton of e-mails and comment from people regarding Canisius' recruitment of Freddy Asprilla, who if the Griffs get lucky would be one of the best players to ever sign with the program. Some apparently can't believe a player the caliber of Asprilla who is being recruited by schools like Kansas State, Memphis and Oklahoma (even Florida made inquires about Asprilla), would be willing to attend Canisius. These are probably the same people who can't figure out how Newark's Javon McCrea would pick UB when Georgetown and UMass showed interest.

Recruiting is about relationships, not always what you have to sell or the size of your program. Canisius coach Tom Parrotta has a strong relationship with Art Alvarez of the Miami Tropics, Asprilla's AAU coach. Parrotta already has one of Alvarez's kids on campus in former South Florida point guard Gaby Belardo and is making a strong play for another in junior point guard Angel Rodriguez. Let's say Parrotta doesn't get Asprilla, the Tropics keep a steady stream of Division I talent - alumni include NBA guards O.J. Mayo and Jose Juan Barea - so there will be other talented players available for Canisius to recruit.

Canisius has experienced nothing but losing season after losing season and these are the kinds of players the program needs to win. The Griffs are chasing teams like Siena and Niagara, programs with high-major talent on its roster. Rob Garrison and Bilal Benn are former Big East players and Tyrone Lewis is talented enough to contribute on that level. Charron Fisher averaged over 26 a game as a senior at Niagara two years ago which means he was probably good enough to contribute at least 16 a night in the Big East. These are the kinds of players Joe Mihalich recruits to Niagara and the Purple Eagles win consistently. If Parrotta wants to do the same he has to go out and sign players like Asprilla.

It's time to stop wondering why Big 4 schools are gaining interest from players like Asprilla and McCrea. Maybe the question should be, "Why not?"

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Lindy's take on the Big 4

Atlantic 10
1. Dayton
2. Xavier
3. Richmond
4. LaSalle
5. UMass
6. Temple
7. Duquesne
8. Bona
9. Rhode Island
10. Saint Joseph's
11. Charlotte
12. Saint Louis
13. GW
14. Fordham

All conference

First team
Andrew Nicholson, Bona

Top shooter
Nicholson

Notes: Lotsa love for Nicholson and it's well deserved.

MAAC
1. Siena
2. Niagara
3. Rider
4. Fairfield
5. Saint Peter's
6. Manhattan
7. Loyola
8. Iona
9. Canisius
10. Marist

All conference

First team
Tyrone Lewis, Niagara
Bilal Benn, Niagara

Honor Roll
Best Rebounder, Bilal Benn, Niagara
Best Defender: Tyrone Lewis, Niagara

Notes: Rider's Ryan Thompson was named player of the year but both Benn and Lewis will make a push.

MAC

East Division
1. Akron
2. UB
3. Bowling Green
4. Miami
5. Kent State
6. Ohio

West Division
1. Central Michigan
2. Ball State
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Western Michigan
6. Toledo

All conference

First team
Rodney Pierce, UB

Second team
Calvin Betts, UB

Honor roll
Most versatile
Calvin Betts, UB

Notes: No arguments about the author. :)

Lindy's Top 10

1. Kansas
2. Texas
3. Michigan State
4. Villanova
5. North Carolina
6. Purdue
7. Butler
8. Kentucky
9. Michigan
10. Cal

Rating the conferences
1. Big 12
8. A 10
16. MAAC
21. MAC

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Yahoo's take on the Big 4

Atlantic 10

1. Dayton
2. Xavier
3. LaSalle
4. Richmond
5. Duquesne
6. Temple
7. Charlotte
8. Rhode Island
9. Saint Joseph's
10. UMass
11. Saint Louis
12. Bona
13. GW
14. Fordham

Notes: The Bonnies have to improve their play in the backcourt where they had more turnovers than assists.

MAC

East Division
1. Akron
2. UB
3. Kent State
4. Miami
5. Bowling Green
6. Ohio

West Division
1. Central Michigan
2. Ball State
3. Western Michigan
4. Eastern Michigan
5. Northern Illinois
6. Toledo

First team
Rodney Pierce, UB

Notes: The Bulls have to figure out a way to finish the season stronger than they did last season when they lost seven of their last 11.

MAAC

1. Siena
2. Niagara
3. Rider
4. Fairfield
5. St. Peter's
6. Loyola
7. Manhattan
8. Canisius
9. Iona
10. Marist

First team
Bilal Benn, Niagara
Tyrone Lewis, Niagara

Notes: The Griffs have five starters returning including four juniors and a senior. The preseason publications are overlooking Canisius.

Yahoo's Top 10

1. Kansas
2. Kentucky
3. Michigan State
4. Villanova
5. Purdue
6. Texas
7. North Carolina
8. Duke
9. West Virginia
10. Cal

Yahoo ranks the nation's teams 1-347 and here's where the Big 4 teams are ranked:

56. Niagara
95. UB
193. Bona
232. Canisius

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

TSN's take on the Big 4

Atlantic 10

1. Dayton
2. Xavier
3. Richmond
4. Temple
5. Duquesne
6. Charlotte
7. LaSalle
8. Rhode Island
9. UMass
10. Saint Joseph’s
11. Saint Louis
12. Bona
13. GW
14. Fordham

Rating the A10
Best shot-blocker: Andrew Nicholson, Bona

Recruiting run down
14. Bona

Notes: If he can shake off the rust after sitting out for a year, junior guard Louis Leonard will make it less of a chore to score points.

MAC
East
1. Akron
2. UB
3. Miami
4. Kent State
5. Bowling Green
6. Ohio

West
1. Northern Illinois
2. Central Michigan
3. Ball State
4. Eastern Michigan
5. Western Michigan
6. Toledo

Ranking the MAC Best shooter: Rodney Pierce, UB

Recruiting rundown
12. UB

Note: The Bulls won’t be as formidable in the backcourt defensively after losing Greg Gamble and Andy Robinson. Newcomer Tony Watson gives the Bulls its best pure point guard since Turner Battle.

MAAC
1. Siena
2. Niagara
3. Rider
4. Saint Peter’s
5. Fairfield
6. Iona
7. Loyola (Md.)
8. Canisius
9. Manhattan
10. Marist

All-MAAC Team Bilal Benn, Niagara

Note: If Niagara wants to advance to the NCAA tournament, it will likely have to beat Siena in the MAAC Tournament final on its homecourt at the Times-Union Center in Albany. It’s that simple. … Canisius could finish anywhere from 4-8.

TSN Top 10

1. Kansas
2. Kentucky
3. Michigan State
4. North Carolina
5. West Virginia
6. Texas
7. Purdue
8. Duke
9. Villanova
10. Mississippi State

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

Niagara, UB hit the road for BracketBuster

Niagara and UB will play road games while Canisius plays at home for the eighth annual BracketBuster this season. Last year, Niagara hosted Illinois State while UB played at Vermont and Canisius at Bowling Green.

The 98-team field features 12 teams from the MAC and Colonial Athletic; 11 from the Ohio Valley, 10 from the MAAC, Missouri Valley, and Horizon League; nine from the Western Athletic and Big West; four from the Big South and Southern; three from the America East; two from the MEAC; and one from the Big Sky and Summit League.

As part of the agreement, all 11 of the BracketBusters home teams, as well as the remaining 38 home squads, will play a return game at the home facility of their opponent in November or December of the 2011-12 season. The 11 BracketBusters matchups will be announced Feb. 1, while game time and network assignments will be announced Feb. 8.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)

St. Bonaventure releases non-league schedule

St. Bonaventure released its non-conference schedule which features seven teams that advanced to postseason in 2008-09, including four that made the NCAAs. Bona faces six A-10 teams that advanced past the conference tournament and into the middle of March, giving them a total of 13 opponents (14 games) with postseason experience from last season.

“This is definitely the most challenging schedule during my time at St. Bonaventure,” third-year head coach Mark Schmidt said. “The non-conference schedule is full of teams that made postseason appearances last year and that will certainly prepare us for an extremely difficult A-10 slate.”

The Bonnies will tip-off the season at home against defending Horizon League champion Cleveland State on Nov. 13. Next up will be a trip to Rochester and Blue Cross Arena on Nov. 17, to play Big East foe St. John’s for the first time since 1985. St. Bonaventure returns to the Reilly Center three days later to play Binghamton Nov 20 in its last home game until the end of December.

The Bonnies head to the BTI Classic for three games in Normal, Ill. The Bonnies will open tournament play with back-to-back contests against Southeast Missouri State (Nov. 27) and Norfolk State (Nov. 28). Bona plays host Illinois State on Nov. 29 in the final game of the tournament. Niagara University also travels to Normal this season in a return game for the BracketBuster.

The Bonnies take on Mississippi State, who could be a Top 25 team, on Dec. 5. The Bulldogs return all five starters, including All-American candidate Jarvis Varnado, and add McDonald’s All-American Renardo Sidney.

Bona plays at Syracuse Dec. 19 before taking on Niagara on Dec. 22 at the Gallagher Center then Canisius on Dec. 30. at the RC. The Bonnies close out the non-league slate on Jan. 2 at Marshall.

---Rodney McKissic

(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)