By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team is ranked No. 23 in the preseason Associated Press poll, its first appearance since 1971. The poll is conducted by a panel of 66 college basketball writers throughout the country.
The Bonnies, who return all five starters from last season’s Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament championship team, ranked higher than No. 24 Connecticut and No. 25 Virginia. The Bonnies play Connecticut on Dec. 11. Bonaventure last made the top 25 on Jan. 18, 1971, ranked 12th in the country before losing by 21 points at rival Duquesne that Saturday. Last season’s team garnered votes during five weeks, coming as close as 47 vote points from landing in the 25th spot on March 15.
Fellow A-10 member Richmond received 13 vote points, the only other league team receiving votes.
Mark Schmidt’s team is expected to be voted the A-10’s preseason favorite when the league announces the results of its poll during its media days on Oct. 27 and 28. The Bonnies’ anticipated season officially begins at the Reilly Center on Nov. 9 against Siena.
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