Bona takes on depleted Binghamton
Published: November 20, 2009, 12:14 am
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Two months ago tonight's St. Bonaventure-Binghamton game had all the makings of an intriguing nonconference matchup. Today? Let's just say that Bona fans fully appreciate the dejection the Binghamton faithful is feeling.
The Bearcats owned the city last year, winning 23 games and making their first NCAA Tournament appearance. In the euphoria that followed, Joel Thirer — the school's long-time athletic director — rolled out the red carpet for head basketball coach Kevin Broadus in the form of a contract extension through 2013-14. An encore performance and another trip to the NCAAs loomed possible given the strength of the Bearcats' returning cast.
Then came Sept. 23, the day the dominoes began falling with mind-numbing frequency and significance. Star Emanuel "Tiki" Mayben was arrested and charged with possession and sale of cocaine. Five more players were dismissed for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.
By the end of the month, Thirer tendered his resignation. On Oct. 7, the State University of New York launched its own investigation. Two days later Broadus admitted to having illegal recruiting contact with two high school players. On Oct. 14, Broadus, who earns $230,000, was placed on paid administrative leave. Former Temple star Mark Macon, who earns $58,000, was named interim coach while the investigation continues.
Otherwise it's been business as usual for the Bearcats, who hit the Reilly Center floor at 7 tonight with seven scholarship players and only three returnees from last year, the most productive of which averaged five points per game. How can they possibly keep the faith?
"It's about basketball, that's all. It's truly about basketball and them becoming better basketball players and really showing they can improve on a daily [basis]," Macon said by cell phone Thursday afternoon en route to Olean. "That's how we look at it. Our focus as a coaching staff ... is about getting these kids better and keeping them healthy."
What can something like this do to a program? Consider that Bona last had a winning season in 2001-02, the season before a recruiting scandal led to a new school president, a new AD, a new coach and prompted some key players to transfer out.
How long Binghamton gropes for stability depends on whatever NCAA sanctions may be forthcoming. What's clear is that the Bearcats are the shell of a Division I team. They barely snuck by Division II Bloomsburg, 54-49, in their opener before being handled routinely by Pittsburgh, 71-46, on Tuesday.
Bona (1-1) is coming off a one-point loss to St. John's of the Big East in Rochester. Center Andrew Nicholson, last year's Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, is averaging 21.5 points and shooting 72 percent from the field. Fouls limited Nicholson to 28 minutes, but he still scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting.
Meanwhile, Niagara (1-1) will get to sleep in a little bit today. The Purple Eagles, who played at 8 a.m. Tuesday, have an 11 a.m. date against Howard (0-2) in Daytona Beach, Fla. Niagara then takes on Central Florida at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by a Sunday game with Austin Peay.
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