2015-16 @BonniesMBB season review

2015-16 was yet another validation of St. Bonaventure’s place among the “big-time” basketball schools in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Chosen eighth in the preseason A-10 poll, the Bonnies blew away expectations.

St. Bonaventure dropped a hard-fought, 79-66 decision at Syracuse – which would go on to make the Final Four – but that game showed the Bona faithful, and the players themselves – that they could compete with anyone.

Marcus Posley’s game-winner at Buffalo and a convincing home victory over Ohio were among the highlights of a four-game win streak in December that pushed Bona’s record to 7-2.

The Bonnies opened A-10 play with a win over Davidson, the 2014-15 conference champion. It sparked a 4-0 start to the Atlantic 10 slate that included wins at George Mason and UMass and at home over Rhode Island.
A tough three-game stretch tested St. Bonaventure’s mettle, but doubts about Coach Mark Schmidt’s team were quickly erased. After a home win over Richmond, the Bonnies went to Philadelphia and, behind a career high 31 points from emerging star Jay Adams, knocked off a red-hot Saint Joseph’s club.

The Bonnies would lose just once more the rest of the A-10 season. The game following that loss, Adams led Bona to another milestone win. The sophomore point guard equaled his prior career high of 31 points in a 79-72 win at #13/15 Dayton inside UD Arena.

Feb. 24 and 27, the Bonnies gutted out close home wins over Duquesne and UMass, the latter on a last-second score from Posley.

St. Bonaventure then faced Saint Joseph’s at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester in a battle of two of the top four teams in the A-10. Posley was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 47 points – the most by any player in a Division I game all season – to lead the Bonnies by the Hawks, 98-90.

“Honestly, considering the circumstances surrounding the importance of the Saint Joe’s game, I think Posley’s performance is one of the most impressive in the past five years in college basketball. His team needed that win and he went out and put up 47. Crucial.” - Matt Norlander, CBS Sports

March 5, a win at Saint Louis coupled with Dayton’s win over VCU created a three-way tie for the A-10 regular season title, St. Bonaventure’s first-ever regular season championship. The Bonnies ended 14-4 in the A-10, a program record. The Bonnies also tied the program record for wins in the regular season, ending 22-7. It is the 14th 20-win season in school history.

“It’s been a special season and the guys, they deserve everything. The excitement on their faces when the ball didn’t go in (at the end of VCU-Dayton) … that picture is worth a thousand words. I’m really proud of what they accomplished.” - Mark Schmidt

St. Bonaventure earned the No. 1 seed in the National Invitation Tournament but fell to Wagner at the Reilly Center, 79-75. The Bonnies still finished 13-3 at home.

Defenses had a tough time stopping the Bonnies all year as they averaged 77 points per game, the best average during Mark Schmidt’s nine seasons at Bona’s. The Bonnies ranked in the top five nationally in free throw percentage and led the A-10 in 3-point percentage.

Mark Schmidt was selected the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year by his peers – only the third Bona coach so honored and first since Jim Baron in 1995. He also earned NABC District 4 Coach of the Year accolades.

Three Bonnies earned All-Conference honors: Jay Adams (1st team), Marcus Posley (2nd) and Denzel Gregg (Co-Sixth Man of Year). It marked the second year in a row St. Bonaventure has had multiple players recognized.

Bona’s “big three” of senior forward Dion Wright, Posley and Adams combined to average 55.2 points per game. They all ranked in the top 15 scorers in the Atlantic 10 with Posley (19.6) second, Adams (17.9) eighth and Wright (16.7) 14th. All three players scored over 500 points this season.

Wright had 13 double-doubles, the most in the Atlantic 10. He was at his best in the A-10 Tournament in Brooklyn when he posted a 32-point, 15-rebound performance against Davidson – both of which were career highs. He finished his career with 1,263 points and 683 rebounds. He stands 25th on Bona's all-time scoring list and 15th in rebounding.

Posley’s two years with the Bonnies were truly remarkable. He scored 1,122 points, good for 30th all-time at Bona.

“I give kudos to our community and students for coming to the game and supporting us for a great season. Getting snubbed by the NCAA didn't define our season, and this certainly doesn't define our season. Winning 22 games … 14 in the conference, and winning an A-10 championship are the things that we will remember.” - Coach Mark Schmidt

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