St. Bonaventure Basketball: 3 takeaways from setback at Saint Louis

1. With most of their offensive production coming from the backcourt, the Bonnies need their frontcourt to step up – and it begins with Osun Osunniyi

There might not be a more disruptive presence in the post in the Atlantic 10 than Osun Osunniyi, an All-Defensive Team selection in the conference in back-to-back seasons – and that defensive tenacity was on full display against the Billikens.

Osunniyi was largely responsible for Saint Louis’ uncharacteristic struggles inside, where the Billikens – who rely heavily on two-pointers and post-play – barely edged out the Bonnies in points in the paint, 20-18, all the while shooting 46.2% on 2PTers – just 8% worse than their season average.  In all, the 6-10 junior hauled in a game-high eight rebounds while recording a season-best five blocks.

What has plagued Osunniyi – and came to a head against Saint Louis – is his offensive production.  All five Bonnies average double-digits, with Osunniyi averaging the least at 10.2 points per game – but Osunniyi has reached double-digits just three times this season.

He routinely complements the starting five with, roughly, between seven to nine points a night – but not reaching double-digits every game has ultimately made him an offensive liability inside.  For a team that sees 59.9% of its offensive production come from two-pointers, the Bonnies desperately need an offensive threat inside the paint who is not a guard – and Osunniyi has struggled to become that player.

Osunniyi is an extremely talented player – but he needs to improve his offensive skill set.  He is shooting clips of 48.3% (FGs) and 60.5% (FTs), and scored seven points – the least of St. Bonaventure’s starters – while going just 1-3 from the floor.  His two misses were drives to the hoop that were easily makeable.

The big man has played in 83.6% of St. Bonaventure’s minutes, making him an – quite obviously – integral player on the floor.  And he is exceptionally influential on the defensive end, as well – but his offensive liabilities will ail the Bonnies against teams that they are unable to successfully defend.  That came to a head against the Billikens, and if the Bonnies and Billikens eventually meet in the A-10 Tournament, then they will need Osunniyi to step up big offensively by then.