Friday, November 13th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Reilly Center (5,780) -- St. Bonaventure, New York. Television: None. Home Record: Cleveland State 0-0, St. Bonnies 0-0. Away Record: Cleveland State 0-0, St. Bonnies 0-0. Neutral Record: Cleveland State 0-0, St. Bonnies 0-0. Conference Record: Cleveland State 0-0, St. Bonnies 0-0. Series Record: St. Bonaventure leads, 3-1.

GAME NOTES: The 2009-10 campaign will tip off for two schools, as the St. Bonaventure Bonnies host the Cleveland State Vikings this evening at the Reilly Center.

The Vikings put forth a tremendous effort this past season, winning 26 games, while also defeating Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Repeating similar success could be challenging for Cleveland State, which has lost plenty of key players.

As for the Bonnies, they are coming off an impressive 15-win campaign. For most schools 15 wins is a mediocre showing, but for St. Bonaventure, a school that has been on life support over the past couple seasons, it was a tremendous effort.

With respect to the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Bonnies have won three of the four matchups.

Returning to the glory of last season will be a dubious task for coach Gary Waters and his Vikings. While 26 wins is likely out of their reach, the Vikings open the season tonight with a solid group of players that will definitely make Cleveland State competitive. Norris Cole will be looking to build off his sophomore season in which he averaged 13.3 ppg, and dished out 90 assists. Trevor Harmon only started seven games last year, but the guard will likely see much more time on the floor. D'Aundray Brown will be relied on in the paint for Cleveland State. Brown is a physical forward that pulled down 5.7 rpg a year ago, but coach Waters will be looking for the junior to improve on his 7.4 ppg he posted a year ago. If Brown is unable to carry the offensive load, look for Jared Cunningham and Nigel Ajere to contribute this evening.

For a very long time the Bonnies were nothing more than a bottom feeder in the Atlantic-10, but in just his second year at the helm, coach Mark Schmidt led the Bonnies to a 15-win campaign. With the season opening tonight the team is prime for another successful year thanks to Andrew Nicholson, who was one of the top freshman in the nation. The 6-9 forward/center scored 12.5 ppg, ripped down 6.0 rpg and blocked 81 shots in 2008-09. Nicholson is just one of the major contributors back for another run. Chris Matthews and Jonathan Hall give the Bonnies two experienced backcourt players as well. Matthews scored 12.2 ppg a year ago, and Hall was even better at 12.9 ppg. Hall, at 6-5, pulled down 6.3 rpg as well. There is finally reason to be excited about the opening of St. Bonaventure basketball, and with the talent on the roster tonight's matchup could be the beginning of a terrific season.

What better way to prove that you are a dangerous team then by beating a school that participated in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Cleveland State lost a lot of its punch from last season's squad and should have a tough time against a hungry group of Bonnies.

Predicted Outcome

St. Bonaventure 74, Cleveland State 63