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Mid-major Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mid-major basketball Kyle Lofton (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

12. St. Bonaventure Bonnies

Despite having one of the youngest rosters in all of college basketball, the Bonnies still managed to win 19 games in the regular season and finished 11-7 in the Atlantic 10. And despite losing a pair of rotation pieces in Amadi Ikpeze and Bobby Planutis, the team returns over 90% of its offense for 2020-21.

There are four double-digit scorers back for another round, including star guard Kyle Lofton. He led the team with 14.1 ppg and 6.0 apg and could be the best pure point guard in the conference. Big man Osun Osunniyi has star potential if he can remain healthy. He’s already one of the best individual frontcourt defenders in college basketball and has an improving offensive game.

"Mark Schmidt continues to be one of the most overlooked, underrated coaches in the nation, as too are his Bonnies of St. Bonaventure. Creating a program that is consistently competitive despite recruiting disadvantages speaks to the coaching staff prowess to create an exciting on-court product. – Carter Chapley (@chapleymedia)"

Junior guards Dominick Welch and Jaren English each produced over 11 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 2.0 apg and should remain as big contributors this season. Justin Winston is the other returning starter and will be another frontcourt piece for the Bonnies. There also are a pair of JUCO newcomers in Jalen Shaw and Eddie Creal to add even more depth as well.

With nine players on the roster being juniors, the 2021-22 campaign will be the one with the most pressure and expectations. But there’s no reason why St. Bonaventure can’t finish in the top-tier of the Atlantic 10 this season, as long as Osunniyi remains healthy for most of it.

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