From the FreeP: BU men's basketball wins 2 of 3 in California tournament

By Jacklyn Bamberger/DPF Staff

The Boston University men’s basketball team came away from their weekend in Irvine, Calif., with a 2-1 record, posting key wins over the University of California-Irvine and Long Island University-Brooklyn and falling to Eastern Washington University.

Friday, the Terriers faced an Eastern Washington (4-2) squad that was fresh off of an 82-44 thrashing of Walla Walla University. The Eagles proved to be a formidable foe for the Terriers as neither team could break through in the opening half.  Eastern Washington went into the break nursing a 39-34 lead.

Eagles forward Venky Jois and guard Tyler Harvey troubled the Terriers in the second half, as they each broke into double digits to extend the Eastern Washington lead to 12 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the contest.  BU would never come close, as the Eagles went on to win the game 80-68.

Eastern Washington shot 54.4 percent from the field and used its height advantage to outscore the Terriers in the paint 34-22.

Sophomore guard Nathan Dieudonne recorded his first ever double-double Friday, scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Watson Jr. led the Terriers with 18 points.

The Terriers used the loss against the Eagles as motivation for Saturday and Sunday’s games.

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UMass-Lowell – Boston University Basketball: 11-13-2013

UMass-Lowell – Boston University Basketball: 11-13-2013, a set on Flickr.

From the FreeP: Men’s basketball eases past Lowell, 91-65

By Justin Pallenik/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s basketball team could not have asked for a better home opener, defeating the University of Massachusetts-Lowell by a score of 91-65 Wednesday night at Case Gym.

The Terriers (2-0) opened on a tear with a 22-4 run to start the game and never looked back. Using the full-court press to generate early turnovers, BU made it look easy with uncontested layups.

“Coming into it, I expected it to be a pretty competitive game,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “I watched [Lowell] on film against [University of Michigan]. I think we were fortunate the press really helped get us going. But they shot a great percentage for the game, they got good shots, they took good ones, but I thought we were able to turn them over and get going.”

The press created early fast-break opportunities, but it was the Terriers’ half-court game that separated them from Lowell (0-2). The BU frontcourt led by senior forward Dom Morris dominated the low post early and often, outscoring Lowell 16-2 in the paint over the first six minutes.

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From the FreeP:Maurice Watson Jr. nearly notches triple-double in win

By Alex Rozier/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s basketball team had an easy day at the office Wednesday night, flying past the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 91-65, in its home opener at Case Gym.

While many Terriers (2-0) contributed in the dominating victory, a large credit of thanks has to be directed to sophomore point guard Maurice Watson Jr.

In a game where offense was not hard to come by for the Terriers, Watson spent his 27 minutes on the floor weaving through the defense of the River Hawks (0-2).

Watson filled up the box score in the contest, as the Philadelphia, Pa., native finished with 18 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.

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BU vs. UMass-Lowell Press Conferences 11-13-2013

Want to see what the coaches had to say following Wednesday night's game?  Look no further...


UMass Lowell


BU

Malik Thomas' Game Saving Steal against Northeastern University 11-10-13

It came as no surprise on Sunday afternoon as the battle between Boston University and Northeastern University came down to the last possession once again.  Last season, the Terriers gave up a buzzer beating three pointer to give the Huskies their first win of the season.

This year, the result was quite different.  With 3.5 seconds remaining, the Huskies had an opportunity to edge the Terriers once again, but the lanky and athletic Malik Thomas made sure his crosstown rivals would not get another opportunity to beat the Terriers once again.

Watch below as Thomas saves the day for BU.

Northeastern vs. BU Press Conferences

Press conferences following Boston University's 72–69 victory over Northeastern University during the first Coaches vs. Cancer Massachusetts College Basketball Tripleheader at TD Garden. BU Press Conference featuring head coach Joe Jones, senior guard DJ Irving, and sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr.

 

Northeastern Press Conference featuring head coach Bill Coen.

 

From the FreeP: Strong play of guards boosts BU men’s basketball against Huskies

By Christopher Dela Rosa/ DFP Staff

Going into Sunday’s game, there was a lot to be said about the backcourt of the Boston University men’s basketball team.

For the Terriers (1-0), the dynamic duo of guards in sophomore Maurice Watson Jr. and senior D.J. Irving highlight a strong group of Terriers in the 2013-14 season. Sunday afternoon, the Terriers proved that despite a limited and height-challenged frontcourt, their backcourt can put the extra weight on their shoulders and carry the team when needed.

“We don’t really think we have a size disadvantage,” Irving said. “I feel like we have more heart than any other team that we’ve played against.  I’d rather have heart.”

Watson shared a similar sentiment.

“Bigger is not always better,” Watson added. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

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From the FreeP: Men’s basketball opens season with victory over Northeastern

By Jacklyn Bamberger/DFP Staff

In its first game of its 2013-14 campaign, the Boston University men’s basketball team came from behind to defeat crosstown rival Northeastern University 72-69 Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. The win marked the Terriers’ first victory over the Huskies in four years.

Sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr., senior guard D.J. Irving, sophomore forward Nathan Dieudonne, sophomore guard John Papale and senior forward Dom Morris started the game for the Terriers (1-0).

Northeastern (0-1) won the tip and Husky forward Scott Eatherton immediately drove the ball to the basket, recording the game’s first points. The Terriers answered, as Watson hit a lay-up and Papale subsequently buried a 3-pointer to give the Terriers a 5-2 lead with 18 minutes remaining in the half. From there, the momentum shifted back and forth as both teams struggled to find a consistent source of offense.

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From the FreeP:Optimistic BU men’s basketball team awaits promising 2013-14 season (Season Preview)

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

Photo by Kenshin Okubo
Photo courtesy of Daily Free Press

On March 19, the Boston University men’s basketball season came to an unfortunate end when they lost to what will soon become a new Patriot League foe in Loyola University-Maryland during the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Nearly eight months after their disappointing loss to Loyola, there is nothing but positivity surrounding the Terriers as they get ready to begin their first season in the Patriot League.

Just a few weeks ago, at the Patriot League media day in Bethlehem, Pa., it was announced that the Terriers were unanimously selected as the top team in the conference.

“I think our guys and our staff are used to that,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “When we first got here, we were picked to win, so it’s not uncharted territory for us, it’s what we deal with, it’s who we are and I think at BU, a lot of our sports are picked to be successful. I just think it’s part of the culture here at BU and I think our guys have embraced it.”

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From the Freep: Patriot League preseason power rankings

By Alex Rozier/DFP Staff

1. Boston University – Last year, the Terriers finished second in the America East Conference before a first-round exit in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). This season, BU is looking to improve upon that finish in a new conference. BU’s transition process should be alleviated by the return of all of its starters, which includes its scoring, rebounding and assist leaders from last season. A lot of the Terriers’ high expectations in the Patriot League come from the reputation built by senior guard D.J. Irving. After averaging 14.2 points per game and 3.6 assists per game last year, Irving was voted the Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year in a coaches’ poll. Irving was also named a Preseason Mid-Major All-American by CollegeInsider.com and NBCSports.com. BU is also getting back sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr. and senior forward Dom Morris, each of whom scored more than 11 points per game last season.

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From the FreeP: Dom Morris grows into key player on men’s basketball team

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

During the spring of 2011, Dom Morris was just a freshman enjoying the ride as the Boston University men’s basketball team traveled to Tulsa, Okla., to play in the NCAA Tournament.

That year, the Terriers took on the No. 1-seeded Kansas University in the second round and were able to stay competitive with the Jayhawks for most of the contest. Going into the half, the Terriers were only down by four points, largely because of a stellar scoring output from then-senior guard John Holland.

“It was great, we worked hard as a team to make it there,” Morris said. “It felt like we deserved to be there.”

Unfortunately, the Terriers could not capitalize on their great first half and they fell by a score of 72–53. Morris had nine points and an assist in that game.

Despite the loss, to this day, the memory of Mar. 18, 2011, is one of Morris’ fondest memories as he and the Terriers enter the 2013-14 season.

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From the FreeP: 7 Questions with Maurice Watson Jr.

By Jacklyn Bamberger/DFP Staff

1. Do you have a go-to pre-game meal?

Steak tips and rice with a side of ranch and an orange Gatorade. I also have to have a little something sweet, like candy.

2. What was your Halloween costume this year?

I was a doctor this year.

3. Most challenging class you’ve taken at BU so far?

Definitely microeconomics.

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