Wednesday, November 30, 2011
BU vs. Delaware Live Blog
Starting lineups:
University of Delaware Blue Hens
F Josh Brinkley
F Jamelle Hagins
G Khalid Lewis
G Devon Saddler
G Kyle Anderson
Boston University Terriers
F Dom Morris
F Travis Robinson
F Patrick Hazel
G Darryl Partin
G D.J. Irving
Final Score: BU 73, UD 67
Team leaders:
Points
UD: Devon Saddler, 20
BU: Darryl Partin, 27
Rebounds
UD: Jamelle Hagins, 12
BU: Darryl Partin and D.J. Irving, 7
Assists
UD: Khalid Lewis and Kyle Anderson, 2
BU: D.J. Irving, 11
From the FreeP: Ruffling feathers: Terriers take on Blue Hens
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
Walking off the court of the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center last Friday afternoon, the Boston University men’s basketball team was at a crossroads.
On a day known as Black Friday across the country, the Terriers (2-4) were in their darkest moment of the young season, having just given up a two-possession lead in the final 10 seconds of what turned out to be a 63-62 loss to Cleveland State University, a loss that kept BU winless on the season.
But at a time when a team adjusting to a first-year head coach could have easily unraveled, the opposite occurred. The Terriers came together and responded by winning their final two games in the TicketCity Legends Classic in Kingston, R.I. by dispatching Rhode Island and Hofstra University.
For senior center Patrick Hazel, who sent a reassuring text message to coach Joe Jones after the Cleveland State loss, the tournament provided the Terriers with a chance to quickly rebound from such a big disappointment.
“That was the beauty of it, that’s why you have to love playing in those tournaments – you get the chance to go right back out and do it the next day,” Hazel, one of the team tri-captains, said. “That was the mindset we had – be upset about it, but come tomorrow morning, get ready to go and focus on our game plan against Rhode Island, and that’s what we did. We tried to move past it and forget about it.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Walking off the court of the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center last Friday afternoon, the Boston University men’s basketball team was at a crossroads.
On a day known as Black Friday across the country, the Terriers (2-4) were in their darkest moment of the young season, having just given up a two-possession lead in the final 10 seconds of what turned out to be a 63-62 loss to Cleveland State University, a loss that kept BU winless on the season.
But at a time when a team adjusting to a first-year head coach could have easily unraveled, the opposite occurred. The Terriers came together and responded by winning their final two games in the TicketCity Legends Classic in Kingston, R.I. by dispatching Rhode Island and Hofstra University.
For senior center Patrick Hazel, who sent a reassuring text message to coach Joe Jones after the Cleveland State loss, the tournament provided the Terriers with a chance to quickly rebound from such a big disappointment.
“That was the beauty of it, that’s why you have to love playing in those tournaments – you get the chance to go right back out and do it the next day,” Hazel, one of the team tri-captains, said. “That was the mindset we had – be upset about it, but come tomorrow morning, get ready to go and focus on our game plan against Rhode Island, and that’s what we did. We tried to move past it and forget about it.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
From the FreeP: Far from your Average Joe
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
At a Tuesday practice in mid-November, two days after the University of Texas battered his Boston University men’s basketball team by 36 points, Joe Jones approaches a group of players gathered around the Gatorade cooler, his bald scalp and sweaty forehead glistening under the lights of Case Gymnasium.
As he draws nearer, his slender, 6-foot-2 frame comes into focus and his bulging calf muscles are a little more noticeable, reminiscent of his playing days at the State University of New York at Oswego.
Judging by his scowling facial expression, Jones doesn’t look too pleased.
“I’m not watching us play tough! We’re supposed to be tough!” he yells, yanking his right ear as his players slowly make their way back to the left baseline in preparation for the next drill.
His dissatisfaction with the Terriers’ execution is evident as the three hour practice drags on. “Attack the basket,” “Make layups,” Go hard to the basket” and “Get a better shot” are some of the key points he reiterates to his players.
He is not like that every day, though. Seeing that his squad was not performing at a high level on that particular Tuesday, Jones ripped into it at the first practice since the embarrassing 82-46 loss to Texas.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
At a Tuesday practice in mid-November, two days after the University of Texas battered his Boston University men’s basketball team by 36 points, Joe Jones approaches a group of players gathered around the Gatorade cooler, his bald scalp and sweaty forehead glistening under the lights of Case Gymnasium.
As he draws nearer, his slender, 6-foot-2 frame comes into focus and his bulging calf muscles are a little more noticeable, reminiscent of his playing days at the State University of New York at Oswego.
Judging by his scowling facial expression, Jones doesn’t look too pleased.
“I’m not watching us play tough! We’re supposed to be tough!” he yells, yanking his right ear as his players slowly make their way back to the left baseline in preparation for the next drill.
His dissatisfaction with the Terriers’ execution is evident as the three hour practice drags on. “Attack the basket,” “Make layups,” Go hard to the basket” and “Get a better shot” are some of the key points he reiterates to his players.
He is not like that every day, though. Seeing that his squad was not performing at a high level on that particular Tuesday, Jones ripped into it at the first practice since the embarrassing 82-46 loss to Texas.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
MAZUREK: A personalized Thanksgiving postcard from Kingston
By Teddy Mazurek/DFP Staff
My Thanksgiving plans were written in stone: go home for Thanksgiving, spend time with my family and high school friends and then meet up with other Boston University students Saturday night at Madison Square Garden for Red Hot Hockey, before coming back to Boston.
Great plan, right? It probably resembles the holiday plans of many other BU students.
My first Red Hot Hockey experience was back in 2009, when BU scored a goal in the last minute of play to force a 3-3 tie. The sea of red comprising students and alumni from both schools in the world’s most famous arena! How can you beat that? As a senior how could I miss that?
Then on Aug. 25, BU athletics announced that the men’s basketball team was chosen to take part in the TicketCity Legends Classic, which consisted of a game at the University of Texas, followed by three games in three days at host University of Rhode Island over Thanksgiving break.
I was at the crossroads of a difficult BU athletics decision. It is never fun to support one BU team over another; however, every year there are times when games coincide. Obviously, Red Hot Hockey is a must-see event. But does it outweigh three straight days of BU basketball, which included a total of six college basketball games?
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
My Thanksgiving plans were written in stone: go home for Thanksgiving, spend time with my family and high school friends and then meet up with other Boston University students Saturday night at Madison Square Garden for Red Hot Hockey, before coming back to Boston.
Great plan, right? It probably resembles the holiday plans of many other BU students.
My first Red Hot Hockey experience was back in 2009, when BU scored a goal in the last minute of play to force a 3-3 tie. The sea of red comprising students and alumni from both schools in the world’s most famous arena! How can you beat that? As a senior how could I miss that?
Then on Aug. 25, BU athletics announced that the men’s basketball team was chosen to take part in the TicketCity Legends Classic, which consisted of a game at the University of Texas, followed by three games in three days at host University of Rhode Island over Thanksgiving break.
I was at the crossroads of a difficult BU athletics decision. It is never fun to support one BU team over another; however, every year there are times when games coincide. Obviously, Red Hot Hockey is a must-see event. But does it outweigh three straight days of BU basketball, which included a total of six college basketball games?
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Monday, November 28, 2011
From the FreeP: Inspired Jones gets first wins of BU career
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
KINGSTON, R.I. – Right after the Boston University men’s basketball team’s 63-62 loss to Cleveland State University Friday, senior forward Patrick Hazel sent coach Joe Jones an encouraging text message.
He told his new bench boss that they had to be ready to face the University of Rhode Island and Hofstra University and couldn’t hang their heads with a chance to win the remaining two games in the sub-regional round of the TicketCity Legends Classic.
“That said it all,” Jones said.
Seniors Matt Griffin, Darryl Partin, Jeff Pelage and Hazel made Jones’ job a lot easier following the heartbreaking loss to the Vikings by leading by example and maintaining a positive attitude during the team meeting. Heeding its upperclassmen’s model behavior, BU (2-4) responded valiantly in comeback fashion at the Ryan Center, beating URI (1-5), 70-64, on Saturday and downing Hofstra (3-4), 68-61, on Sunday.
“I was proud of the way our guys battled,” Jones said. “Three games in three days is tough, but I was very impressed by the way our team battled back this weekend.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
KINGSTON, R.I. – Right after the Boston University men’s basketball team’s 63-62 loss to Cleveland State University Friday, senior forward Patrick Hazel sent coach Joe Jones an encouraging text message.
He told his new bench boss that they had to be ready to face the University of Rhode Island and Hofstra University and couldn’t hang their heads with a chance to win the remaining two games in the sub-regional round of the TicketCity Legends Classic.
“That said it all,” Jones said.
Seniors Matt Griffin, Darryl Partin, Jeff Pelage and Hazel made Jones’ job a lot easier following the heartbreaking loss to the Vikings by leading by example and maintaining a positive attitude during the team meeting. Heeding its upperclassmen’s model behavior, BU (2-4) responded valiantly in comeback fashion at the Ryan Center, beating URI (1-5), 70-64, on Saturday and downing Hofstra (3-4), 68-61, on Sunday.
“I was proud of the way our guys battled,” Jones said. “Three games in three days is tough, but I was very impressed by the way our team battled back this weekend.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
On heels of upset victory to heartbreaking defeat: BU suffers shocking 63-62 loss to Cleveland State
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
KINGSTON, R.I. – To some, the Boston University men’s basketball team had no business carrying a 24-21 lead over Cleveland State University into halftime, let alone nursing a 62-61 edge in the tilt’s final 5.6 seconds.
Not when Cleveland State (5-0) is the defending co-Horizon League regular-season champions. Not when it recently knocked off then-No.7 Vanderbilt University in the opening round of the TickeyCity Legends Classic two weeks ago. Not when it was favored by 11 points, billed as the stronger, deeper squad and featured a starting lineup that weighed nearly 60 pounds heavier than BU’s (0-4).
Yet for the first 39 minutes and 54.4 seconds, the Terriers vastly outplayed coach Gary Waters’ Vikings, a club ranked 26th in the latest Associated Press poll entering Friday’s subregional matchup, from top to bottom.
It only took four games into the Joe Jones Era, but BU finally lived up to its potential. The Terriers displayed an aggressive style of basketball – on both ends of the floor – that Jones knew they were fully capable of playing, shot 40 percent (16-of-40) from the field and forced the Vikings into 16 turnovers.
KINGSTON, R.I. – To some, the Boston University men’s basketball team had no business carrying a 24-21 lead over Cleveland State University into halftime, let alone nursing a 62-61 edge in the tilt’s final 5.6 seconds.
Not when Cleveland State (5-0) is the defending co-Horizon League regular-season champions. Not when it recently knocked off then-No.7 Vanderbilt University in the opening round of the TickeyCity Legends Classic two weeks ago. Not when it was favored by 11 points, billed as the stronger, deeper squad and featured a starting lineup that weighed nearly 60 pounds heavier than BU’s (0-4).
Yet for the first 39 minutes and 54.4 seconds, the Terriers vastly outplayed coach Gary Waters’ Vikings, a club ranked 26th in the latest Associated Press poll entering Friday’s subregional matchup, from top to bottom.
It only took four games into the Joe Jones Era, but BU finally lived up to its potential. The Terriers displayed an aggressive style of basketball – on both ends of the floor – that Jones knew they were fully capable of playing, shot 40 percent (16-of-40) from the field and forced the Vikings into 16 turnovers.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Grading the Terriers: 11/25 vs. Cleveland State
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
Offense: C
Almost felt tempted to give the Terriers a higher grade for their offensive efforts, due in large part to their combined 40 percent shooting from the field, nearly seven percentage points higher than the opposing Vikings. BU had three players in double figures, as senior guard Darryl Partin scored a game-high 24 points, senior forward Patrick Hazel tallied 15 points and sophomore guard D.J. Irving contributed 13 points of his own. But only two other players generated the rest of BU’s 10 points in the contest: sophomore forwards Dom Morris (eight points) and Travis Robinson (two points). The Terriers’ abysmal performance from 3-point territory was their undoing and deserving of their C grade. Collectively, BU was 2-of-13 shooting the 3-ball with Partin knocking down its only treys – back-to-back triples in a 36-second span – early on in the second half. To make matters even more one-sided, he attempted all seven of the Terriers’ second-half 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Travis Robinson, freshman guard Zach Chionuma and senior guard Matt Griffin came up empty on their 3s in the first half. On positive notes, Hazel netted his career-high 15 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting, including two dunks, and BU converted a number of layups and alley-oops that yielded its 45 shooting percentage and an 11-point lead at one juncture in the final frame.
Offense: C
Almost felt tempted to give the Terriers a higher grade for their offensive efforts, due in large part to their combined 40 percent shooting from the field, nearly seven percentage points higher than the opposing Vikings. BU had three players in double figures, as senior guard Darryl Partin scored a game-high 24 points, senior forward Patrick Hazel tallied 15 points and sophomore guard D.J. Irving contributed 13 points of his own. But only two other players generated the rest of BU’s 10 points in the contest: sophomore forwards Dom Morris (eight points) and Travis Robinson (two points). The Terriers’ abysmal performance from 3-point territory was their undoing and deserving of their C grade. Collectively, BU was 2-of-13 shooting the 3-ball with Partin knocking down its only treys – back-to-back triples in a 36-second span – early on in the second half. To make matters even more one-sided, he attempted all seven of the Terriers’ second-half 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Travis Robinson, freshman guard Zach Chionuma and senior guard Matt Griffin came up empty on their 3s in the first half. On positive notes, Hazel netted his career-high 15 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting, including two dunks, and BU converted a number of layups and alley-oops that yielded its 45 shooting percentage and an 11-point lead at one juncture in the final frame.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
BU vs. Cleveland State Live Blog -- TicketCity Legends Classic
Starting lineups:
Cleveland State University Vikings
F Tim Kamczyc
F Aaron Pogue
G D'Aundray Brown
G Trevon Harmon
G Jeremy Montgomery
Boston University Terriers
F Dom Morris
F Patrick Hazel
G Darryl Partin
G Travis Robinson
G D.J. Irving
Final Score: CSU 63, BU 62
Team leaders:
Points
CSU: D'Aundray Brown and Anton Grady, 14
BU: Darryl Partin, 24
Rebounds
CSU: Aaron Pogue, 11
BU: Darryl Partin and Patrick Hazel, 8
Assists
CSU: Trevon Harmon, 4
BU: Dom Morris and Darryl Partin, 3
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Terriers face a high-quality squad in Cleveland State Friday in TicketCity Legends Classic
By Shep Hayes/DFP Staff
Searching for both its first win of the 2011-2012 season and of the Joe Jones era, the Boston University men’s basketball team will face off against Cleveland State University at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. As part of the Kingston Subregional of the TicketCity Legends Classic, the game will be played at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on the campus of the University of Rhode Island.
The Terriers enter the contest on a three-game losing streak, after falling 71-66 to the Cornell University Big Red last Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y. One week before that game, the Terriers (0-3) lost in the opening round of the Legends Classic to the University of Texas Longhorns, 82-46, in Austin, Texas. BU opened its season with a 82-74 overtime loss to the Northeastern University Huskies in a packed Case Gymnasium two nights before it played the Longhorns.
Through the three losses, senior guard Daryl Partin has led the Terriers in scoring by a large margin, averaging 22.7 points per game. Partin has also been one of the more efficient shooters for BU, getting an average of one point with each of his possessions. Sophomore guard D.J. Irving follows Partin in scoring, with an average of 12.3 points per game. Sophomore forward Dom Morris leads the Terriers in both rebound categories, with 8 offensive and 20 defensive boards.
Searching for both its first win of the 2011-2012 season and of the Joe Jones era, the Boston University men’s basketball team will face off against Cleveland State University at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. As part of the Kingston Subregional of the TicketCity Legends Classic, the game will be played at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on the campus of the University of Rhode Island.
The Terriers enter the contest on a three-game losing streak, after falling 71-66 to the Cornell University Big Red last Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y. One week before that game, the Terriers (0-3) lost in the opening round of the Legends Classic to the University of Texas Longhorns, 82-46, in Austin, Texas. BU opened its season with a 82-74 overtime loss to the Northeastern University Huskies in a packed Case Gymnasium two nights before it played the Longhorns.
Through the three losses, senior guard Daryl Partin has led the Terriers in scoring by a large margin, averaging 22.7 points per game. Partin has also been one of the more efficient shooters for BU, getting an average of one point with each of his possessions. Sophomore guard D.J. Irving follows Partin in scoring, with an average of 12.3 points per game. Sophomore forward Dom Morris leads the Terriers in both rebound categories, with 8 offensive and 20 defensive boards.
More from last Friday's one-on-one interview with Jones
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
For the "Building more than a basketball team the Joe Jones Way" story, I wrote a coaching profile on Joe Jones, Boston University's new basketball coach. I met with him last Friday in his office suite in the BU athletics department. Here are some of the questions that I asked him during the interview and his responses that weren't included in the feature:
Who is Joe Jones, as a basketball coach and as a person off the court?
I would tell you that I’m pretty passionate about people, about life, anything that I’m involved with I do with a lot of emotion, a lot of energy. That’s just who I am. I think I’m interested in people, in the game of basketball, my family. I don’t golf. I’m pretty simplistic when it comes to what I do on a daily basis. I just love the game. I love to coach the game. I love to find out more about the game. I love the recruits. All the things that go into this job I love. I love my family and friends. It’s very simple.
How would you describe your coaching style, specifically in practice?
When I feel that we need to have more energy, more emotion, there are times in practice where I show that and I get out there. There are other times where I talk. It depends really on what our team needs at that particular moment.
Do you think people have an idea of what your coaching style may be like?
I don’t know. I don’t know. My thing has always been trying to say more positive things to one negative thing and just being positive. But there are going to be times where you have to get on guys and get the most out of them. I’d much rather prefer to be someone that’s more positive, reinforcing positive things and getting on my guys when I need to. I’d prefer to be more positive than negative.
For the "Building more than a basketball team the Joe Jones Way" story, I wrote a coaching profile on Joe Jones, Boston University's new basketball coach. I met with him last Friday in his office suite in the BU athletics department. Here are some of the questions that I asked him during the interview and his responses that weren't included in the feature:
Who is Joe Jones, as a basketball coach and as a person off the court?
I would tell you that I’m pretty passionate about people, about life, anything that I’m involved with I do with a lot of emotion, a lot of energy. That’s just who I am. I think I’m interested in people, in the game of basketball, my family. I don’t golf. I’m pretty simplistic when it comes to what I do on a daily basis. I just love the game. I love to coach the game. I love to find out more about the game. I love the recruits. All the things that go into this job I love. I love my family and friends. It’s very simple.
How would you describe your coaching style, specifically in practice?
When I feel that we need to have more energy, more emotion, there are times in practice where I show that and I get out there. There are other times where I talk. It depends really on what our team needs at that particular moment.
Do you think people have an idea of what your coaching style may be like?
I don’t know. I don’t know. My thing has always been trying to say more positive things to one negative thing and just being positive. But there are going to be times where you have to get on guys and get the most out of them. I’d much rather prefer to be someone that’s more positive, reinforcing positive things and getting on my guys when I need to. I’d prefer to be more positive than negative.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Building more than a basketball team the Joe Jones Way
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
At a Tuesday practice in mid-November, two days after the University of Texas battered his Boston University men’s basketball team by 36 points, Joe Jones approaches a group of players gathered around the Gatorade cooler, his bald head and sweaty forehead glistening under the lights of Case Gymnasium.
As he draws nearer, his 6-foot-2 slender frame comes into focus and his bulging calf muscles are a little more noticeable, reminiscent of his playing days at State University of New York at Oswego.
By his scowling facial expression, Jones doesn’t look too pleased.
“I’m not watching us play tough! We’re supposed to be tough!” he yells, yanking his right ear in the process, as his players slowly make their way back to the left baseline in preparation for the next exercise.
His dissatisfaction with the Terriers’ execution is evident as the three-hour practice drags on. "Attack the basket," "Go hard to the basket," "Make layups," and "Get a better shot" are some of the key points he reiterates to his players.
At a Tuesday practice in mid-November, two days after the University of Texas battered his Boston University men’s basketball team by 36 points, Joe Jones approaches a group of players gathered around the Gatorade cooler, his bald head and sweaty forehead glistening under the lights of Case Gymnasium.
As he draws nearer, his 6-foot-2 slender frame comes into focus and his bulging calf muscles are a little more noticeable, reminiscent of his playing days at State University of New York at Oswego.
By his scowling facial expression, Jones doesn’t look too pleased.
“I’m not watching us play tough! We’re supposed to be tough!” he yells, yanking his right ear in the process, as his players slowly make their way back to the left baseline in preparation for the next exercise.
His dissatisfaction with the Terriers’ execution is evident as the three-hour practice drags on. "Attack the basket," "Go hard to the basket," "Make layups," and "Get a better shot" are some of the key points he reiterates to his players.
From the FreeP: Cornell pulls away late from men’s basketball
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
In many respects, the Boston University men’s basketball team took a step forward in its third game under new head coach Joe Jones.
For the second consecutive game, the Terriers out-rebounded their opponent, shot well from the free throw line and saw nearly four of their players score in double figures.
Yet, at the end, BU fell short of its first win of the season as Cornell University withstood a second half rally to hold on for a 71-66 win Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y.
The loss to the Big Red (2-2) drops the Terriers to 0-3 on the season.
After opening the game on a 7-0 run in the first minute and a half of play, BU quickly fell victim to a scoring barrage from Cornell over the next seven minutes as the Big Red put up 20 unanswered points, including three consecutive 3-pointers from guard Drew Ferry.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
In many respects, the Boston University men’s basketball team took a step forward in its third game under new head coach Joe Jones.
For the second consecutive game, the Terriers out-rebounded their opponent, shot well from the free throw line and saw nearly four of their players score in double figures.
Yet, at the end, BU fell short of its first win of the season as Cornell University withstood a second half rally to hold on for a 71-66 win Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y.
The loss to the Big Red (2-2) drops the Terriers to 0-3 on the season.
After opening the game on a 7-0 run in the first minute and a half of play, BU quickly fell victim to a scoring barrage from Cornell over the next seven minutes as the Big Red put up 20 unanswered points, including three consecutive 3-pointers from guard Drew Ferry.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
COUGHLAN: For once, BU community comes through for men’s basketball
By Luke Coughlan/DFP Staff
There was no way that they were going to fill Case Gymnasium.
No way. No how.
No way that Boston University fans were going to show up for a 5 p.m. men’s basketball game on a Friday. Not when they had a men’s ice hockey bout between BU and Merrimack College for which to prepare at the same time.
Nope. Not without John Holland, and not without departed head coach Patrick Chambers.
They weren’t going to show up . . .
And then, they did.
Defying a precedent as old as the venue itself, Boston University basketball fans packed The Roof on Friday for the Terriers’ season opener against the Northeastern University Huskies, squeezing a sold out crowd of 1,875 into the rickety bleachers to set a program record for attendance at Case Gym.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
There was no way that they were going to fill Case Gymnasium.
No way. No how.
No way that Boston University fans were going to show up for a 5 p.m. men’s basketball game on a Friday. Not when they had a men’s ice hockey bout between BU and Merrimack College for which to prepare at the same time.
Nope. Not without John Holland, and not without departed head coach Patrick Chambers.
They weren’t going to show up . . .
And then, they did.
Defying a precedent as old as the venue itself, Boston University basketball fans packed The Roof on Friday for the Terriers’ season opener against the Northeastern University Huskies, squeezing a sold out crowd of 1,875 into the rickety bleachers to set a program record for attendance at Case Gym.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
From the FreeP: Big feat at stake against the Big Red
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
Searching for that evasive first win of the Joe Jones era, the Boston University men’s basketball team continues its demanding non-conference slate with a Sunday tilt against Cornell University at Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y.
BU (0-2) enters the game fresh off of receiving an 82-46 thumping from the University of Texas in the opening round of the TicketCity Legends Classic. In their first-ever meeting with the Longhorns this past Sunday at the Erwin Center, the Terriers were outscored 51-25 in the second half and committed 24 turnovers in the contest that turned into 27 Texas points.
For the second-consecutive game, senior guard Darryl Partin and sophomore guard D.J. Irving led all BU players with 14 and 10 points, respectively, despite combining to shoot 10-of-27 from the field.
But for a squad that is still adjusting to the graduation of John Holland, the program’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,212 points, finding a balanced offensive attack has been rather difficult.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Searching for that evasive first win of the Joe Jones era, the Boston University men’s basketball team continues its demanding non-conference slate with a Sunday tilt against Cornell University at Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y.
BU (0-2) enters the game fresh off of receiving an 82-46 thumping from the University of Texas in the opening round of the TicketCity Legends Classic. In their first-ever meeting with the Longhorns this past Sunday at the Erwin Center, the Terriers were outscored 51-25 in the second half and committed 24 turnovers in the contest that turned into 27 Texas points.
For the second-consecutive game, senior guard Darryl Partin and sophomore guard D.J. Irving led all BU players with 14 and 10 points, respectively, despite combining to shoot 10-of-27 from the field.
But for a squad that is still adjusting to the graduation of John Holland, the program’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,212 points, finding a balanced offensive attack has been rather difficult.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
From the FreeP: Shot selection among early points of emphasis for Terriers
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
Though just two games into the 2011-12 season, the Boston University men’s basketball team has already encountered an old problem, one that plagued them for much of last season even on a run to the NCAA Tournament – poor shooting.
After losses to Northeastern University and the University of Texas, the Terriers have shot 36.3 percent from the field on the season, a figure that includes a 29.8 percent shooting performance in the team’s 82-46 loss at Texas.
Their current shooting percentage ranks the Terriers 283rd among Division I teams, something that first-year head coach Joe Jones feels is a product of both poor shot selection and the ball just not falling into the basket.
“We’re taking some bad ones, we’re not playing side-to-side, inside-out better,” Jones said. “It’s a combination of both.”
Shots not falling through for BU is nothing new as the 2010-11 team ranked among the bottom third of Division I basketball teams with a shooting percentage of 40.2 percent.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Though just two games into the 2011-12 season, the Boston University men’s basketball team has already encountered an old problem, one that plagued them for much of last season even on a run to the NCAA Tournament – poor shooting.
After losses to Northeastern University and the University of Texas, the Terriers have shot 36.3 percent from the field on the season, a figure that includes a 29.8 percent shooting performance in the team’s 82-46 loss at Texas.
Their current shooting percentage ranks the Terriers 283rd among Division I teams, something that first-year head coach Joe Jones feels is a product of both poor shot selection and the ball just not falling into the basket.
“We’re taking some bad ones, we’re not playing side-to-side, inside-out better,” Jones said. “It’s a combination of both.”
Shots not falling through for BU is nothing new as the 2010-11 team ranked among the bottom third of Division I basketball teams with a shooting percentage of 40.2 percent.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Post-Texas Interview with Jones
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
Q: How much did those 24 turnovers hurt your team against a talented, major conference team like Texas on the road?
“It was a huge factor in the game. Obviously, when you give a team 20-plus opportunities to score a ball on you, it takes away the momentum, it takes you out of your flow. It really hurts you.”
Q: What really allowed Texas to pull away so quickly in the second half?
“I thought it was a combination of us being impatient offensively, really not sharing the ball the way that we have in practice, and turnovers. It was a combination of both of those and also missing makeable shots. We haven’t shot the ball well in the two games we’ve played.”
Q: What's at the root of your team's shooting problems? Is it poor shot selection or are the shots simply just not falling?
“We’re taking some bad ones, we’re not playing side-to-side, inside-out better. It’s a combination of both.”
Q: Being down by so much about midway through the second half, do you feel your team kept playing with a certain level of intensity?
“I thought in that area, for a period of time when we didn’t come out in the second half and play as well as I thought we would, the score really affected us and we hung our heads a little bit at that time.”
Q: What does Patrick Hazel have to work on in order to stay out of foul trouble and stay in the game?
“We’ve been talking about that – it’s technique and making smarter decisions on the defensive end.”
Q: How much did those 24 turnovers hurt your team against a talented, major conference team like Texas on the road?
“It was a huge factor in the game. Obviously, when you give a team 20-plus opportunities to score a ball on you, it takes away the momentum, it takes you out of your flow. It really hurts you.”
Q: What really allowed Texas to pull away so quickly in the second half?
“I thought it was a combination of us being impatient offensively, really not sharing the ball the way that we have in practice, and turnovers. It was a combination of both of those and also missing makeable shots. We haven’t shot the ball well in the two games we’ve played.”
Q: What's at the root of your team's shooting problems? Is it poor shot selection or are the shots simply just not falling?
“We’re taking some bad ones, we’re not playing side-to-side, inside-out better. It’s a combination of both.”
Q: Being down by so much about midway through the second half, do you feel your team kept playing with a certain level of intensity?
“I thought in that area, for a period of time when we didn’t come out in the second half and play as well as I thought we would, the score really affected us and we hung our heads a little bit at that time.”
Q: What does Patrick Hazel have to work on in order to stay out of foul trouble and stay in the game?
“We’ve been talking about that – it’s technique and making smarter decisions on the defensive end.”
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Texas-sized win: Longhorns rout Terriers, 82-46
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
The conditions for the Boston University men's basketball team entering its second game of the season were not exactly ideal.
Having played a heated game against a cross-town rival that went into overtime on Friday night, the team had to wake up early the next morning to catch a flight to Austin, Texas.
Also, it doesn't help when the team you're traveling to play has made 13 straight NCAA Tournaments and sports one of the highest-rated freshmen classes in college basketball.
The culmination of these factors was one that the Terriers experienced the full effect of as they could not recover from a fast second-half start from the University of Texas en route to a 82-46 drubbing at the hands of the host Longhorns.
Texas guard J'Covan Brown exploded for a game-high 28 points and eight assists, while guard Julien Lewis made his collegiate debut an impressive one with 18 points.
The conditions for the Boston University men's basketball team entering its second game of the season were not exactly ideal.
Having played a heated game against a cross-town rival that went into overtime on Friday night, the team had to wake up early the next morning to catch a flight to Austin, Texas.
Also, it doesn't help when the team you're traveling to play has made 13 straight NCAA Tournaments and sports one of the highest-rated freshmen classes in college basketball.
The culmination of these factors was one that the Terriers experienced the full effect of as they could not recover from a fast second-half start from the University of Texas en route to a 82-46 drubbing at the hands of the host Longhorns.
Texas guard J'Covan Brown exploded for a game-high 28 points and eight assists, while guard Julien Lewis made his collegiate debut an impressive one with 18 points.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Sputtering offense, missed Irving free throws doom Terriers in overtime session
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
D.J. Irving and Darryl Partin sat next to their new coach Joe Jones in a media room a couple of floor levels below Case Gymnasium, their shoulders slumped, their heads down, their faces expressionless.
The sophomore and senior guards dropped 17 and 25 points, respectively, and accounted for eight of the Boston University men’s basketball team’s 10 points in overtime against Northeastern University.
Unfortunately for Irving and Partin, their offensive contributions fell to the wayside, as the Huskies (1-0) outscored the Terriers (0-1) 18-10 in that extra session and pulled away late for an 82-74 victory Friday night.
Despite trailing 62-51 with 4:53 remaining in this bitter, emotionally filled tilt, BU mounted a furious comeback and scored 13 of the contest’s next 15 points to tie it at 64 apiece. On the Terriers’ second-to-last opportunity to eke out a win, senior guard Matt Griffin drove and dished it out to Irving, whose shot was emphatically blocked out of bounds by guard Jonathan Lee.
With 1.1 seconds to go, Irving lobbed the ball to Patrick Hazel, but the 6-foot-6 senior forward couldn’t convert on the alley-oop feed near the basket, sending both teams' season opener into overtime.
D.J. Irving and Darryl Partin sat next to their new coach Joe Jones in a media room a couple of floor levels below Case Gymnasium, their shoulders slumped, their heads down, their faces expressionless.
The sophomore and senior guards dropped 17 and 25 points, respectively, and accounted for eight of the Boston University men’s basketball team’s 10 points in overtime against Northeastern University.
Unfortunately for Irving and Partin, their offensive contributions fell to the wayside, as the Huskies (1-0) outscored the Terriers (0-1) 18-10 in that extra session and pulled away late for an 82-74 victory Friday night.
Despite trailing 62-51 with 4:53 remaining in this bitter, emotionally filled tilt, BU mounted a furious comeback and scored 13 of the contest’s next 15 points to tie it at 64 apiece. On the Terriers’ second-to-last opportunity to eke out a win, senior guard Matt Griffin drove and dished it out to Irving, whose shot was emphatically blocked out of bounds by guard Jonathan Lee.
With 1.1 seconds to go, Irving lobbed the ball to Patrick Hazel, but the 6-foot-6 senior forward couldn’t convert on the alley-oop feed near the basket, sending both teams' season opener into overtime.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Same story, different chapter: Northeastern narrowly tops BU, 82-74, in overtime
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
For two basketball programs in Boston University and Northeastern University that experienced so much change in the offseason, Friday night's game, by most accounts, carried an eery sense of deja vu.
Just as it was last season, with both teams opening the season against one another in front of an intense crowd, the Terriers and Huskies played a largely back-and-forth game, one defined by runs made by both teams in a contest that wasn't decided until the bitter end.
And ultimately, in a game marred by similarities, the result proved to be the same as Northeastern defeated BU 82-74 in overtime in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,875, the largest in Case Gymnasium history.
"Just another boring Northeastern-BU game, right?" Northeastern head coach Bill Coen quipped after the game.
The game served as an unveiling of sorts for the BU program, as it was the Terriers' first game under new head coach Joe Jones.
For two basketball programs in Boston University and Northeastern University that experienced so much change in the offseason, Friday night's game, by most accounts, carried an eery sense of deja vu.
Just as it was last season, with both teams opening the season against one another in front of an intense crowd, the Terriers and Huskies played a largely back-and-forth game, one defined by runs made by both teams in a contest that wasn't decided until the bitter end.
And ultimately, in a game marred by similarities, the result proved to be the same as Northeastern defeated BU 82-74 in overtime in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,875, the largest in Case Gymnasium history.
"Just another boring Northeastern-BU game, right?" Northeastern head coach Bill Coen quipped after the game.
The game served as an unveiling of sorts for the BU program, as it was the Terriers' first game under new head coach Joe Jones.
Grading the Terriers: 11/11 vs. Northeastern
By Shep Hayes/DFP Staff
Sophomore forward Dom Morris: C
Compared to last season, Morris played an overall average game to start the 2011-12 BU basketball campaign. Offensively, he had eight points, making 50 percent of his shots inside the arc, about on par with how he shot last year. His biggest weakness against the Huskies was outside of the arc, where he shot much weaker than on the inside. Morris attempted five 3-pointers, including one coming off of a timeout in overtime that would have given BU a two-point lead with under one minute remaining. He did not make that shot, and he also failed to complete any of his other four attempts, dragging down his otherwise decent play in the Northeastern end of the court.
Morris was able to make up his offensive futility on the defensive end, however. He snagged six balls off the glass for the Terriers, tied with Jeff Pelage for the most in the game for BU. In a game when BU struggled to rebound at both ends of the court, Morris’ contributions made a difference.
Sophomore forward Dom Morris: C
Compared to last season, Morris played an overall average game to start the 2011-12 BU basketball campaign. Offensively, he had eight points, making 50 percent of his shots inside the arc, about on par with how he shot last year. His biggest weakness against the Huskies was outside of the arc, where he shot much weaker than on the inside. Morris attempted five 3-pointers, including one coming off of a timeout in overtime that would have given BU a two-point lead with under one minute remaining. He did not make that shot, and he also failed to complete any of his other four attempts, dragging down his otherwise decent play in the Northeastern end of the court.
Morris was able to make up his offensive futility on the defensive end, however. He snagged six balls off the glass for the Terriers, tied with Jeff Pelage for the most in the game for BU. In a game when BU struggled to rebound at both ends of the court, Morris’ contributions made a difference.
BU vs. Northeastern Live Blog
Starting lineups:
Northeastern University Huskies
F Kauri Black
F Kashief Edwards
G Jonathan Lee
G Joel Smith
G Alwayne Bigby
Boston University Terriers
F Dom Morris
F Patrick Hazel
G Darryl Partin
G Matt Griffin
G D.J. Irving
Final Score: NU 82, BU 74 (OT)
Team leaders:
Points
NU: Joel Smith, 20
BU: Darryl Partin, 25
Rebounds
NU: Joel Smith, 12
BU: Dom Morris, 7
Assists
NU: Jonathan Lee, 6
BU: Patrick Hazel, 2
Thursday, November 10, 2011
From the FreeP: Men’s basketball: Jonesing for a championship
By Craig Meyer and René Reyes/DFP Staff
As the players jumped raucously in jubilation, as the fans rushed the court in utter bliss and as the confetti streamed down from the rafters to the Agganis Arena floor, the Boston University men’s basketball program was experiencing a dream fully realized.
After clawing back to take down Stony Brook University in the America East Tournament championship game, the Terriers were headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in almost a decade and were part of a March Madness montage usually reserved for other, more successful schools.
Amid the celebration and chaos, however, stood a man who had watched the game from behind the bench, a man who, unbeknownst to BU players, coaches and fans, would be the person who with the responsibility of harnessing this success as the program’s next head coach – Joe Jones.
Having just completed his first season as the Boston College associate head coach, Jones made the trip east down Commonwealth Avenue to watch his good friend Patrick Chambers coach the Terriers and at the time, never could have imagined he would soon be in Chambers’ position.
But now that he is, he couldn’t be happier.
“I wanted the job really badly,” Jones said. “When the job opened, I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. It’s the best job in the league and that’s the kind of job that you want as a head coach, so when that job opened up it was an absolute no-brainer.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
As the players jumped raucously in jubilation, as the fans rushed the court in utter bliss and as the confetti streamed down from the rafters to the Agganis Arena floor, the Boston University men’s basketball program was experiencing a dream fully realized.
After clawing back to take down Stony Brook University in the America East Tournament championship game, the Terriers were headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in almost a decade and were part of a March Madness montage usually reserved for other, more successful schools.
Amid the celebration and chaos, however, stood a man who had watched the game from behind the bench, a man who, unbeknownst to BU players, coaches and fans, would be the person who with the responsibility of harnessing this success as the program’s next head coach – Joe Jones.
Having just completed his first season as the Boston College associate head coach, Jones made the trip east down Commonwealth Avenue to watch his good friend Patrick Chambers coach the Terriers and at the time, never could have imagined he would soon be in Chambers’ position.
But now that he is, he couldn’t be happier.
“I wanted the job really badly,” Jones said. “When the job opened, I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. It’s the best job in the league and that’s the kind of job that you want as a head coach, so when that job opened up it was an absolute no-brainer.”
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
From the FreeP: Catch me if you can: After a promising first season, speedy point guard D.J. Irving is ready for stardom
By Craig Meyer/DFP Staff
Lounging back in a booth at T. Anthony Restaurant on an overcast, non-descript Veterans’ Day in 2009, then-Boston University men’s basketball head coach Patrick Chambers could not get his mind off a certain thing.
It wasn’t his team’s first game of the season that Friday at Iona College, the game that would not only mark the beginning of Chambers’ tenure at BU, but also the start of his head coaching career. Nor was his brain wrapped around a heralded pair of recruits – Dominic Morris and Travis Robinson of Friends’ Central High School outside Philadelphia – who had just committed to BU about a week before.
Rather, on this day, all Chambers could think about was a speedy high school senior about six hours south in Chester, Pa.
“We’ve got this point guard coming in next year, from Philly, who is lightning,” he said with a pronounced emphasis on the last word. “This kid is going to be a star one day in this league, I can guarantee that.”
Roughly two years later, and with Chambers now the head coach at Penn State University, the faceless, ambiguous “lightning” that Chambers spoke of that day is now well-known across campus and the America East Conference by a different name – D.J. Irving.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Lounging back in a booth at T. Anthony Restaurant on an overcast, non-descript Veterans’ Day in 2009, then-Boston University men’s basketball head coach Patrick Chambers could not get his mind off a certain thing.
It wasn’t his team’s first game of the season that Friday at Iona College, the game that would not only mark the beginning of Chambers’ tenure at BU, but also the start of his head coaching career. Nor was his brain wrapped around a heralded pair of recruits – Dominic Morris and Travis Robinson of Friends’ Central High School outside Philadelphia – who had just committed to BU about a week before.
Rather, on this day, all Chambers could think about was a speedy high school senior about six hours south in Chester, Pa.
“We’ve got this point guard coming in next year, from Philly, who is lightning,” he said with a pronounced emphasis on the last word. “This kid is going to be a star one day in this league, I can guarantee that.”
Roughly two years later, and with Chambers now the head coach at Penn State University, the faceless, ambiguous “lightning” that Chambers spoke of that day is now well-known across campus and the America East Conference by a different name – D.J. Irving.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
From the FreeP: Partin the Interruption: Leading scorer Darryl Partin looks to fill leadership role on and off the court
By René Reyes/DFP Staff
A 32-point night against Cornell University in November 2010 generated multiple left shoulder shrugs from Partin in his postgame presser. An unsightly 3-for-11 shooting performance in the America East Conference championship game last March still failed to break his calm demeanor afterward.
At the BU men’s basketball team’s open practice Monday, a rare sequence unfolded on the first court of the Fitness and Recreation Center. Co-captain Matt Griffin went around a Mat Piotrowski screen and drove relatively untouched down the lane for an easy bucket. Partin, the Seattle native who’s quiet by nature, was visibly upset with his teammates for the blown defensive rotation.
And he let them know it.
He gathered guards D.J. Irving and Zach Chionuma and forwards Dom Morris and Patrick Hazel in a circle near the free-throw line. On that particular possession, Partin barked, they should have slid over to the weak side and prevented the drive. Whoever was caught underneath the hoop, he added, would take the charge.
The Scarlet squad answered with a smothering display of defense on the White team’s next offensive trip down the floor, culminating in a Hazel block that started the fast break. Partin’s fiery exchange during a break in the scrimmage provided just a glimpse into his emergence as a vocal leader for BU.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
A 32-point night against Cornell University in November 2010 generated multiple left shoulder shrugs from Partin in his postgame presser. An unsightly 3-for-11 shooting performance in the America East Conference championship game last March still failed to break his calm demeanor afterward.
At the BU men’s basketball team’s open practice Monday, a rare sequence unfolded on the first court of the Fitness and Recreation Center. Co-captain Matt Griffin went around a Mat Piotrowski screen and drove relatively untouched down the lane for an easy bucket. Partin, the Seattle native who’s quiet by nature, was visibly upset with his teammates for the blown defensive rotation.
And he let them know it.
He gathered guards D.J. Irving and Zach Chionuma and forwards Dom Morris and Patrick Hazel in a circle near the free-throw line. On that particular possession, Partin barked, they should have slid over to the weak side and prevented the drive. Whoever was caught underneath the hoop, he added, would take the charge.
The Scarlet squad answered with a smothering display of defense on the White team’s next offensive trip down the floor, culminating in a Hazel block that started the fast break. Partin’s fiery exchange during a break in the scrimmage provided just a glimpse into his emergence as a vocal leader for BU.
Read more at dailyfreepress.com.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
MAZUREK: Numbers don't lie with BU basketball attendance
By Teddy Mazurek/DFP Columnist
Let me begin with a warning – in this column, I will be dropping hard facts to get my point across because I do not believe in sugar-coating the problems that concern Boston University athletics.
The biggest issue I have seen during my tenure at BU has been below average – actually I’d go as far to say pathetic – attendance.
Nowhere does this prove truer than at men’s basketball games.
Nov. 11 has been a date that Terrier fans have circled on their calendars since the men’s schedule was released.
On the one hand, I am excited that the season opener is home against city rival Northeastern University and I applaud the efforts of former BU coach Patrick Chambers and Northeastern coach Bill Coen for showing a commitment to strengthening a city rivalry.
On the other hand, I fear that the game might turn out to be another poor showing by BU students to support men’s basketball. An even greater worry is that Northeastern fans might outnumber BU fans on their own court.
The problem of poor attendance, specifically at basketball games, has been written about by past columnists. However, an in-depth look at attendance has never been published. This column is a response to this void.
Let me begin with a warning – in this column, I will be dropping hard facts to get my point across because I do not believe in sugar-coating the problems that concern Boston University athletics.
The biggest issue I have seen during my tenure at BU has been below average – actually I’d go as far to say pathetic – attendance.
Nowhere does this prove truer than at men’s basketball games.
Nov. 11 has been a date that Terrier fans have circled on their calendars since the men’s schedule was released.
On the one hand, I am excited that the season opener is home against city rival Northeastern University and I applaud the efforts of former BU coach Patrick Chambers and Northeastern coach Bill Coen for showing a commitment to strengthening a city rivalry.
On the other hand, I fear that the game might turn out to be another poor showing by BU students to support men’s basketball. An even greater worry is that Northeastern fans might outnumber BU fans on their own court.
The problem of poor attendance, specifically at basketball games, has been written about by past columnists. However, an in-depth look at attendance has never been published. This column is a response to this void.
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