The St. Bonaventure Bonnies and the Virginia Cavaliers meet in an NIT quarterfinal matchup from the John Paul Jones Arena on Tuesday night.
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies come into this one after their 870-68 win over Oklahoma in the second round. Jaren Holmes led the Bonnies with 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting including a perfect 4 of 4 mark from behind the arc while Osun Osunniyi had 14 points with 10 rebounds for the double-double. Jalen Adaway added 11 points while Dominick Welch and Kyle Lofton each had 10 points with multiple three-pointers to make up the scoring in double figures for the Bonnies in the win.
The Virginia Cavaliers will look to build on their 71-69 OT win over North Texas in their second round matchup. Jayden Gardner and Armaan Franklin each had 17 oints with Gardner shooting 7 of 17 from the floor while Franklin hit 5 threes. Reece Beekman had 13 points on 6 of9 shooting with 7 rebounds and a team-high 9 assists and Kihei Clark had 11 points with 4 assists and 3 steals to make up the scoring in double figures for Virginia in the win. Beekman also hd 3 steals while Kody Stattmann had 10 rebounds.
St. Bonaventure is 8-3-1 Ats int heir last 12 games overall and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 11-4 in their last 15 games as an underdog. Virginia is 0-2-2 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite and 5-1 Ats in their last 6 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
I get the case to be made for Virginia 9 times out of 10 in this matchup in the past, but this year’s Virginia team doesn’t have that same bite in my opinion and I’m not sure I really want to be laying points with them given the potential scoring droughts that can happen. St. Bonaventure is experienced, talented and have guys that have been playing together for the better part of four years. A road game at Virginia doesn’t scare this Bonnies team. Give me the Bonnies and the points.