You know how it is in Olean. The wind starts whipping off the Allegheny, the leaves are long gone, and the only thing keeping the soul warm is the hum of a packed Reilly Center. But man, this year has been a weird one. If you’ve been tracking the st bonaventure basketball schedule, you’ve probably noticed that the early-season "cupcake" era is officially dead.
Mark Schmidt didn't just build a schedule this year; he built a gauntlet. Honestly, looking at the way the non-conference slate wrapped up, it's a miracle the guys aren't more banged up. We’re talking about a team that had to go toe-to-toe with North Carolina in Fort Myers and then immediately pivot to a gritty road win at Florida Atlantic. That’s not a schedule for the faint of heart.
Why the A-10 Grind is Different This Time
The Atlantic 10 is a meat grinder. People think they know the st bonaventure basketball schedule, but they usually forget how much the travel sucks for a small-school program in Western New York. This January has been particularly brutal. After a tough loss to VCU on New Year's Eve, the Bonnies had to deal with a surging Richmond team and a Fordham squad that suddenly decided they can't miss from three.
That Fordham game? That one stung. Dejour Reaves basically turned into Steph Curry for forty minutes, dropping 31 points at the RC. It’s those kinds of games that make you realize the home-court advantage at the Reilly Center isn't a "given" anymore—you still have to actually defend the perimeter.
The Critical Road Stretch
Right now, we are in the thick of a massive "Big 5" style road trip. You’ve got the Philly back-to-back that basically defines the season.
- January 14: A heartbreaker at Saint Joseph’s (68-64).
- January 17: A desperate clash at La Salle’s John Glaser Arena.
- January 20: Finally back home against Loyola Chicago.
If the Bonnies can't split these Philly games, the seeding for the A-10 Tournament in Pittsburgh is going to look real ugly.
The Roster Flip Nobody Talks About
We need to be real for a second: this isn't the same team from two years ago. Not even close. According to the latest stats, only about 7% of the scoring returned from last season. That is wild. Usually, when you lose that much production, you're looking at a rebuilding year.
But Frank Mitchell has been a monster. The 6-8 senior from Toronto is averaging a double-double (over 16 points and nearly 11 boards a game). He’s basically the glue holding the interior together while the new backcourt finds its rhythm. Daryl Simmons and Dasonte Bowen have shown flashes of brilliance, but the consistency isn't quite there yet. Sorta feels like they're still learning each other’s favorite spots on the floor.
Upcoming Key Matchups to Watch
If you’re planning your life around the st bonaventure basketball schedule, circle these dates in red ink. Seriously.
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- January 23 vs. Saint Louis: This is a Friday night special. The Billikens are always a problem, and the Reilly Center needs to be deafening.
- February 3 at Dayton: This is the big one. Going into UD Arena is the hardest task in the conference. If the Bonnies are even competitive there, it’s a massive win for their NET ranking.
- March 7 vs. Davidson: The regular-season finale. Senior day. This game often decides whether you get that double-bye in the tournament or if you’re playing on Tuesday.
Where to Actually Watch the Games
Gone are the days when you could just flip on a local channel and catch every tip-off. Kinda annoying, right? For the rest of the 2025-26 season, your best friend is going to be ESPN+. Most of the home games at the Reilly Center live there, but the A-10 has a heavy rotation on the USA Network and CBSSN for the "premium" matchups.
Specifically, the upcoming Loyola Chicago game on Jan 20 is slated for ESPN+, but keep an eye on those late February games—they often get flexed to national TV if the Bonnies stay in the top half of the standings.
Don't Sleep on the Women's Team Either
While the men's st bonaventure basketball schedule gets the headlines, Jim Crowley has the women’s team playing some inspired ball. They actually have more conference wins right now than they did all of last year. They just knocked off Saint Joseph's 57-48, showing a defensive grit that we haven't seen in Olean for a while.
Their schedule mirrors the men's in terms of difficulty, with a big trip to Fordham coming up. It’s a good year to be a double-header fan.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to follow the Bonnies through the home stretch of the season, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
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- Download the "Bonnies Online Network" app. This is the most reliable way to get the radio call if you're stuck in the car. Gary Nease is a legend for a reason.
- Check the NET Rankings every Monday. For a team like St. Bonaventure, the "Quad 1" and "Quad 2" wins are everything. Victories over teams like FAU and East Carolina earlier in the year are doing a lot of heavy lifting right now.
- Secure A-10 Tournament tickets early. The tournament is back in Pittsburgh (PPG Paints Arena) from March 11-15. Since it's only a three-hour drive from Olean, "Bona South" is going to be a real thing. Prices will spike if the team goes on a late February run.
- Monitor the injury report for Dasonte Bowen. The backcourt depth is thin, and his playmaking is the difference between an efficient offense and 15 turnovers a game.
The road to Pittsburgh is never a straight line. Expect more heart-stopping finishes and probably another "how did they lose that?" moment. That’s just Bona basketball. Keep the faith, keep the Reilly Center loud, and watch those Tuesday night road games closely—that’s where seasons are actually won.
Quick View: Remaining Home Games
- Jan 20: Loyola Chicago
- Jan 23: Saint Louis
- Jan 31: George Mason
- Feb 14: Duquesne (The Rivalry)
- Feb 18: Saint Joseph's
- Feb 25: Rhode Island
- Mar 07: Davidson
Finalizing your travel plans for the March tournament in Pittsburgh now is the smartest move you can make, as hotels near PPG Paints Arena are already booking up with alumni from the Philly and DC schools.