The Day After: Iona College 82, Boston University 73

Whether attending last night's season opener in New Rochelle, NY, or watching or listening to the game from afar, the excitement associated with the start of the Patrick Chambers Era was palpable. And in some respects, the Terriers' first game under their new head coach lived up to the hype. If nothing else, the game was fast -- 76 possessions per team, easily outstripping the pace set by last year's team.

But fast, it seems, applies to more than just the pace of the game. After months of preparation, it appears the final weeks leading up to last night's events may have gone by too quickly, for while the Terriers showed some positive signs, the results on the court were those of a team not quite ready for prime time. For every possession ending with an open shot, another ended with a turnover; every heady defensive play was counterbalanced by an unnecessary foul.

Live Blog: Boston University at Iona College

Starting lineups:

Boston University
G Corey Lowe
G Tyler Morris
G Carlos Strong
F/G John Holland
F Jake O'Brien

Iona College
G Scott Machado
G Jermel Jenkins
G Kyle Smyth
F Mike McFadden
F Jonathan Huffman

Final Score: Iona College 82, Boston University 73.

Team leaders:
Points
BU: Tyler Morris, 21
Iona: Scott Machado, 16

Rebounds
BU: Carlos Strong, 11
Iona: Alejo Rodriguez, 10

Assists
BU: Corey Lowe, 7
Iona: Scott Machado, 6

GAMEDAY: Boston University vs. Iona College

After 26 consecutive seasons without a meeting, the Boston University Terriers will square off against the Gaels of Iona College for the second time in less than nine months. You can thank ESPN BracketBusters for that. The Terriers drew Iona as their opponent for the Feb. 21 mid-major extravaganza, earning a 63-57 result at The Roof with the help of freshman forward Jake O'Brien, who blocked shots to end each of the Gaels' final two possessions.

Although each team has competed just three times since last winter's BracketBuster showdown, both teams present significantly different looks. Most notable, of course, is the changing of the guard in Boston, as Patrick Chambers has spent the past several months preparing for his first game as a Division-I head coach, but there are several reasons why this game should be more than merely a repeat of last year's tightly contested matchup.

BREAKING NEWS: Brittain, Bailey to miss season opener

Bad news for the Terriers, as injuries will keep two BU players off the court for Friday's game, and possibly longer.

Senior forward Scott Brittain has been dealing with the effects of his most recent concussion for some time, and this morning head coach Pat Chambers confirmed that Brittain will not play when the Terriers travel to New Rochelle, NY, for their season opener at Iona College. More unexpected was news of a concussion suffered by freshman guard B.J. Bailey, who will also not see the floor on Friday while he recovers. Given the nature of concussions and the necessary caution in allowing a concussed player to return to action, Chambers did not offer a specific timetable for either player's return.

Per Chambers, the minutes Bailey was expected to see will most likely go to senior swingman Sherrod Smith. Smith appeared in nine games for the Terriers last season, including extended playing time against the University of Hartford on March 1, when he produced five points and two steals in 16 minutes. Brittain's absence opens up increased minutes for sophomore center Jeff Pelage, and senior forward Valdas Sirutis may also figure into the mix.

The Day After: (BU 63, Iona 57)

The win marked two straight years BU's won the ESPNU Bracketbusters game, but much more importantly, it put an end to BU's three-game losing streak in which the Terriers appeared to be reverting to their "old ways" that plagued them mid-season. Instead, however, the win may serve to get the Terriers back on track and with games against the bottom two teams in the conference left before the tournament, it could serve as a springboard for playing better basketball come the first weekend in March.

Pros:
-- Jake O'Brien's shooting: Granted he was getting some open looks, but it's still good to see him knocking them down. There's been some inconsistency in his shot over the course of the season, but if he can get into a rhythm from the outside, the Terriers could be dangerous.
-- Jeff Pelage's play: Same said of O'Brien can be said for Pelage. He's a physical post presence that the team's been lacking, but has been playing much better of late. Increased productive minutes from the rookie would help all facets of BU's game in the tournament.

Cons:
-- Lowe's turned ankle: It's unknown how long Lowe will be out for, but the injury certainly didn't look good, and seeing any player hobble off the court on crutches is never a welcome sight, especially when he's one of the best to play at BU. The Terriers will need him for the tournament, and all eyes will be on his recovery.
-- Turnovers: Twenty one turnovers against any team is never good, but BU has begun to set a trend of accumulating turnovers against man-to-man defense more often than not. It's what bothered them most (among other things) against Vermont and may serve as an unfortunate blueprint for opponents if the trend continues.

Links:
Gael-force win for Terriers
Freshmen O'Brien and Pelage step up for BU

Post-game Photos & Audio: (BU 63, Iona 57)

Audio from Saturday afternoon's 63-57 win against Iona College.

BU coach Dennis Wolff's opening statement


Wolff comments on the team's first winning regular season in three years


Wolff talks about Iona's comeback and the sloppy play


Wolff explains why Scott Brittain was on such a short leash


Wolff talks about Lowe's game/effort


Jeff Pelage talks about his comfort level against Iona


Pelage talks about playing in the middle of the press-break


Jake O'Brien discusses how his offense fuels his defense


John Holland tells what he felt when Corey Lowe went down


Holland feels the win was important to regain momentum

Live Blog: Iona College vs. Boston University

Note: Boston University junior guard Corey Lowe sprained his right ankle (the same one he turned two games prior) in the second half and left the gym on crutches. The average recovery time for a sprained ankle is 2-3 weeks, meaning it's a toss-up as to whether Lowe will be ready for the tournament and doubtful he'll be 100 percent healthy if he does play as he first game is exactly 14 days from now.



This afternoon's game (part of ESPNU's Bracketbusters weekend) between the Iona College Gaels (12-15, 7-9) and Boston University Terriers (14-12, 9-5) is set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m.

Here are the starting lineups:

Iona College Gaels:
03 G Scott Machado
04 F Gary Springer
05 G Rashan Dwight
11 G Milan Prodanovic
30 F Jonathan Huffman

Boston University Terriers:
02 F Matt Wolff
13 G Corey Lowe
21 F Jake O'Brien
23 F John Holland
31 F Scott Brittain

Final Score: Boston University 63, Iona College 57

Leading scorers:
IC -- Two tied at 12
BU -- John Holland, 24

Leading rebounders:
IC -- Scott Machado, 4
BU -- Jeff Pelage, 8

Leading assists:
IC -- Rashon Dwight, 8
BU -- Corey Lowe, 8

GAMEDAY: Iona College vs. Boston University

The number three is abound prior to this afternoon's ESPNU Bracketbusters game against the Iona College Gaels, who the Terriers will be meeting for the fifth time in school history (series is tied 2-2). Three games remain in the regular-season schedule and the Terriers have locked up the number three seed in the America East Tournament -- which begins in less than two weeks -- and they're currently on a three-game losing streak, including two losses to the league's top two teams that knocked them out of contention for the regular-season title.

Following the non-league matchup against a middle-of-the-pack team in the MAAC, the Terriers will round out their conference slate with two home games (one at Case Gymnasium, the other at Agganis Arena). With one win in any of their final three games, the Terriers will ensure a winning season for the first time in three years, and the first winning season any current player has experienced, with the exception of Matt Wolff (who was at BU in 2004-05). While that certainly isn't the goal, it's a significant mark nonetheless, as it shows progress (albeit, not to the level of which many thought the program could reach) with a core group of players.

While the previously mentioned threes are important, The number three is also part of the most recent controversy surrounding the Terriers, as in, 13 -- Corey Lowe's number. Lowe, who was benched in the second half of BU's most recent loss (Wednesday to Stony Brook) has had a history of slight controversies while at BU, and this appears to be another. It could be a quick one, however, as BU coach Dennis Wolff said Friday before practice that Lowe will start against Iona and play his normal minutes the remainder of the way barring any other unforeseen incidents.

As far as playing time goes for the team as a whole, not just Lowe, Wolff said he doesn't plan on changing his approach to the final three games at all. He said he will continue playing the starters and isn't going to change their roles (in terms of minutes played to potentially avoid fatigue prior to the tournament). Given the six-day rest between the final game against Hartford and BU's first tournament game, Wolff feels that amount of time coupled with the reduced practice schedule/intensity will be enough to have his squad rested and ready for the most important weekend of the year.

As far as this afternoon's game goes, it simply serves as a chance to begin playing better basketball following three losses -- all three presenting a few flaws in what seemed like a pristine Terrier team during its eight-game winning streak. With no questions lingering about what seed BU will be in the tournament, perhaps that lack of pressure will enable the Terriers to focus purely on playing better basketball, which is what they need to start doing quickly. Lowe had served as somewhat of a microcosm of the team over its last 11 games, playing brilliantly in BU's eight wins and not as well in the losses. The Terriers won their Bracketbusters game last season against St. Peter's, and while the result of the game won't impact the standings, it's an important contest for the Terriers, if only to lock up their first winning season in three years and put a stop to the three-game losing streak. Too bad tip-off isn't at 3:00.

Projected starting lineups