On December 31, 2025, St. Bonaventure will face VCU in a highly anticipated matchup to kick off Atlantic 10 play. This Mid-Major Basketball Game of the Week is set to tip off at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Bonnies have shown strong performance during their nonconference schedule, boasting an impressive 11-2 record. While one of their losses came against highly-ranked North Carolina at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, a setback to Ohio on December 13 slightly tempered their otherwise successful start to the season. The Rams from VCU also showed resilience in their nonconference games, finishing with a respectable 9-4 record.
Leading the charge for St. Bonaventure is Frank Mitchell, who has been dominant, averaging 16.6 points and an Atlantic 10-leading 11.4 rebounds each game. Cayden Charles has also been pivotal to the Bonnies’ success, contributing 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and a team-high 1.7 steals per game. The team’s improvements in defense and rebounding, alongside a significant boost in 3-point shooting, have been key to their strong performance, with Buddy Simmons contributing 14.5 points per game on 38% shooting from distance.
Conversely, VCU’s offense is led by Terrance Hill Jr., who averages 13.1 points per game and is one of the country’s most efficient 2-point shooters, boasting a remarkable 70% success rate. Additional scoring threats for the Rams include Lazar Djokovic (12.2 points), Jadrian Tracey (10.5), and Nyk Lewis (10.3), all of whom contribute to a potent offensive strategy.
As one of the nation’s top offensive teams, VCU averages an impressive 86.6 points, along with 16 assists and 38.8 rebounds per game, which includes 13 offensive boards. Defensively, they concede 72.2 points per game, while also producing 4.2 blocks and 8.2 steals. Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure plays at a more deliberate pace, scoring 78 points on average and showcasing a solid 36.7% shooting from beyond the arc. The Bonnies are equally strong on defense, allowing 71.9 points per game while securing 8.2 steals and 4.7 blocks.
The depth of both teams will likely be crucial in determining the outcome of this clash, as each squad possesses a bench capable of influencing the game’s dynamics. This matchup promises to be an exciting start to the Atlantic 10 conference play as both teams look to build on their early-season successes.