St. Bonaventure and Utah State will clash in the Game of the Week at 5:30 p.m. ET Thursday in the ESPN NIT Season Tip-Off, held in Kissimmee, Florida. This Thanksgiving showdown features two undefeated teams ranked in the Mid-Major Basketball Top 25. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN2.
The four-team event also includes Northern Iowa and North Texas, the latter ranked No. 24 in the Mid-Major Basketball Top 25, promising an exciting slate of matchups for mid-major basketball enthusiasts.
Utah State
Utah State (5-0) has started the season strong under first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun. Ranked No. 5 in the Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll, the Aggies showcased their potential with a statement win over Iowa on Friday.
Known for their balance and efficiency, Utah State leads the nation in scoring, averaging a remarkable 98.6 points per game. Their sharpshooting has been equally impressive, ranking 14th nationally in 3-point field-goal percentage at 41.6%.
Four players are averaging double figures in scoring for the Aggies, headlined by fifth-year guard Ian Martinez. Martinez is averaging 20.8 points per game and shooting an impressive 51.7% from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Utah State has been just as effective. They force 19 turnovers per game, tied for seventh nationally while limiting opponents to just 6.8 made 3-pointers per game on 31.5% shooting. This combination of high-powered offense and disruptive defense has made Utah State a formidable team early in the season.
St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure is off to its best start in nearly five decades, opening the season 6-0 for the first time since the 1973-74 campaign. The Bonnies debuted in the Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll this week, coming in at No. 23. Â
Senior guard Chance Moore has been the centerpiece of St. Bonaventure’s offense, averaging 16.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. A transfer from Missouri State, Moore is thriving in his first season with the Bonnies and leads a balanced attack featuring five players averaging double figures in scoring. Â
The Bonnies are scoring 77.2 points per game, emphasizing high-percentage shots inside the arc. On the defensive end,they’ve been equally effective, holding opponents to just 62.5 points per game.
St. Bonaventure averages 31.2 rebounds per game but must elevate their performance on the boards. The Bonnies’ blend of offensive efficiency and defensive grit has driven their unbeaten start.
