Gathers and Ndoye ready to step into larger roles for Bona

The following article, written by Pickin' Splinters Paul Gotham, originally appeared online Oct. 17. It chronicles the rise of St. Bonaventure sophomores Jordan Gathers and Youssou Ndoye, who played large roles last year as freshmen, but look to play even more important roles during the 2012-13 season.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Sometimes a curse can become a blessing. Just ask St. Bonaventure head men's basketball coach Mark Schmidt who found it necessary to use a pair of freshmen sooner than he planned. Not that Jordan Gathers and Youssou Ndoye are a curse. But the circumstances surrounding the rookies' opportunities was something of a burden.

Marquise Simmons came off the bench in the season opener against Cornell and barely broke a sweat before his season ended.

Seven games after that Michael Davenport separated his shoulder, and the starting guard was also relegated to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

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