PHOTOS & VIDEOS: BU Falls to Illinois in NIT 1st Round 66-62

Post Game Press Conferences (via YouTube)

Boston University:

Illinois University:

Photos (via Flickr)
By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

Men’s basketball claims 3 Patriot League awards

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

The Patriot League announced Monday that three players from the Boston University men’s basketball team were awarded All-Conference accolades for their stellar play throughout the regular season.

Sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr., senior guard and tri-captain D.J. Irving and freshman guard Cedric Hankerson were chosen to represent the Terriers (22-9, 15-3 Patriot League).

“I was really happy for those guys,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “It is well deserved, they worked hard, and it’s a nice accomplishment for them.”

Watson, after a solid sophomore campaign, was the only Terrier selected to the All-Patriot League First Team. Despite standing at just 5-foot-10, Watson used his crafty ball-handling skills and speed to either elude defenders or dish the ball to his teammates. For this reason he led the team with 13.4 points per game and led the entire Patriot League with 6.6 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Watson’s senior counterpart in Irving, the Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year, was named to the conference second team. Irving has been a staple of the BU offense, making big shots down the stretch. During his last year in the scarlet and white, Irving has tallied 12.3 points per game to go along with an impressive 80.7 percent shooting from the charity stripe.

In the Terriers’ last game, Irving hit two free throws in the closing seconds on the road against College of the Holy Cross Saturday to give BU a four-point lead. Irving’s makes would not only seal the game, but the Patriot League regular-season title. After the game ended, Irving became only the second-ever player at BU to log over 4,000 career minutes.

“Mo [Watson] and D.J. are one of the best backcourts in the country, they’ve been the primary ball-handlers on our team and we’ve been successful,” said BU senior guard Travis Robinson. “It’s well-deserved, their first and second team selections.”

Hankerson, a first-year player, was named to the All-Rookie Team. During conference play, he made a name for himself, hitting a number of contested 3-pointers that either kept BU in close games or was the spark the team needed to get a run going. Coming off of the bench, he averaged 6.1 points per game. One of Hankerson’s biggest contributions came in the Terriers’ win over the University of Maryland on Dec. 21. In that game, he tallied 14 points and seven rebounds.

Senior forward Dom Morris said the awards for the three players were well-deserved after the solid seasons they had.

“I’m extremely happy for them,” said senior forward Dom Morris. “It’s a big accomplishment. It says something about our program to have three guys on there. They credit the team, but we credit them too because without them, we wouldn’t be where we are

Videos: BU defeats Colgate 66-58: Post Game Press Conferences

BU Head Coach Joe Jones




BU Sophomore Guard Maurice Watson Jr.




Colgate University Head Coach Matt Langel

Photos: Boston University defeats Colgate University 66-58 (1-15-2014)

Men’s basketball wins first 4 Patriot League contests

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

Exiting winter break and entering the heart of the season, the Boston University men’s basketball team remains undefeated in conference play and sits atop the Patriot League standings.

“Now, I think we’re shooting the ball the way we’re capable of shooting it,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “The biggest thing for our team is we have to get better defensively. If we can do that, at the end of the day, I feel good about our chances of having a really special year.”

Despite the positivity surrounding the Terriers (11-6, 4-0 Patriot League), their play over winter break left some unanswered questions about the team’s ability to play through 40 minutes and compete consistently in tough situations.

BU showed some of this inconsistency against George Washington University on Dec. 11, as the Terriers were on the verge of their first victory against an Atlantic-10 Conference opponent since 2011, but fell just short.

The Terriers led the game at halftime and boasted an eight-point lead with 12 minutes remaining in the second frame. The zone defense to which the Colonials (13-3) switched troubled the Terrier offense, which watched its lead vanish and transform into a 70-60 Colonial victory.

Ten days later, the Terriers traveled down to College Park, Md., to take on Atlantic Coast Conference member in the University of Maryland. BU was fresh off of a home loss against Norfolk State University, but bounced back in spectacular fashion with an 83-77 victory over the Terrapins (10-7). The victory marked the Terriers’ second win over a member of the ACC in three years.

Despite being in foul trouble, senior point guard D.J. Irving put on a show, scoring 25 points in only 22 minutes of play, going 4-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. Even though Maryland hit 51.5 percent of its chances from the field in the second half, the BU offense led by Irving put up enough to come out on top.

“It was more down the stretch, in the second half of games, the last 10 minutes of the game, the last eight minutes of the game, we had a hard time finishing those games off against quality opponents on their floor,” Jones said. “That was the first time we were able to do that and I thought it was a breakthrough for us, so I hope our guys are able to feel good about what they accomplished that day, but we’re not satisfied.

“Once we won the game, we talked about how we didn’t want it to be the highlight of our season, we don’t want that to be the only thing people say.”

The following weekend, BU hit the road again, this time facing another Atlantic-10 opponent in Saint Joseph’s University. The game served as a Philadelphia homecoming for a handful of Terriers such as Irving, sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr., senior forward Dom Morris and senior forward Travis Robinson, who all grew up in the area.

BU started out the game strong, heading into halftime with a 35-28 lead, hitting 45.5 percent of its shots. With eight minutes remaining in the contest and the Terriers holding onto a slim four-point lead, St. Joseph’s (10-5) woke up from their first half struggles and went on a 20-4 run over the course of seven minutes to take a commanding 67-58 lead on their way to winning the game by a score 73-67 over the Terriers.

In the Terriers’ Patriot League opener against the College of the Holy Cross at Agganis Arena, the team showcased its mental toughness.

BU took the lead seven minutes into the first half and appeared to have the game in hand. With 12:33 left in the game, however, the Crusaders (7-9, 1-3 Patriot League) were able to pull within two points, but the Terriers amped up their defensive pressure, forced turnovers and moved the ball around efficiently to produce open shots.

Role players like sophomore forward Justin Alston and freshman guard Cedric Hankerson drained their looks, distancing the Terriers from the Crusaders, giving BU a 70-60 victory.

Just three days later, BU took on another conference foe in Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., getting into a situation similar to its previous game. BU held an eight-point lead with 2:31 remaining in the game, but allowed Lehigh (8-9, 1-3) to claw back and take a one-point lead with eight seconds left in the game.

Although down by one, Irving drew a foul and went to the line with two seconds left. The co-captain stepped up, hitting both shots and giving BU its second victory in the conference.

After hitting the road, the Terriers came back to Commonwealth Avenue to host the U.S. Naval Academy. An early 13-3 run in the opening minutes of the first half helped jumpstart the Terriers’ offense. Despite shooting less than 40 percent from the field, Hankerson, Watson and Morris each posted double-digit point totals, leading to BU’s third-straight win.

Looking to win their fourth Patriot League game of the season, the Terriers had one of their best shooting outputs on the road against Lafayette College. BU scored 89 points, shot 55.6 percent from the field and hit a season-high 15 3-pointers. Sophomore guard John Papale led the way with 16 points and was one of five Terriers to score at least 10 points for the game.

The Terriers’ next game will be against a tough Colgate University team. Despite their sub-.500 record, the Raiders (6-9, 0-4 Patriot League) have stayed close in games against quality teams from major conferences like Syracuse University and Georgetown University.

“We’ve just been taking this one game at a time,” Jones said. “We’re really trying to understand what things we have to get better at, things that we’re doing well. That’s our mindset right now.

“I think we’ve got to continue talking about taking care of the basketball, getting quality shots each and every time down the floor and then defensively just improving and really getting better.”

BU falls in final non-conference game against St. Joseph's

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

PHILADELPHIA – Just over a week after defeating the University of Maryland, the Boston University men’s basketball team traveled to a packed Hagan Arena to take on St. Joseph’s University.

Following a strong effort in the first half, the Terriers (7-6) gave up the lead in the second half, falling to the Hawks (7-4) 73-67.

“Our lack of discipline showed tonight against a team that’s pretty good,” said BU coach Joe Jones.

The Terriers had a bumpy start to the first half, falling behind 5-0, turning the ball over and missing multiple shots on their end.

To jumpstart their offense, the BU looked to one of its senior tri-captains, guard D.J. Irving, who provided some offense with a quick layup to end the Hawks’ initial run.

Midway through the first half after staying close on the scoreboard with the Hawks, BU took a one-point lead off of two free throws from freshman guard Cedric Hankerson.

With 5:33 remaining in the frame, the Terriers held onto a 26-23 lead, with the Hawks threatening to tie the score.  In an effort to bring some more energy to his team and give BU some breathing room heading to the half, Jones called for some full court pressure defense.  The Terriers’ quickness put them in position to create turnovers, leading to crisp passes and open shots on the offensive end.

BU entered the halftime break with a seven-point lead, getting production all over the court, as eight of the nine players to enter the game for the Terriers scored during the half. 

At the end of 20 minutes, senior forward Dom Morris and sophomore guards Maurice Watson Jr. and John Papale led the team in scoring with six points apiece.  In the half, the Terriers shot well from the field, hitting 45.5 percent of their shots, while the Hawks shot 42.3 percent.

Looking to keep the momentum going from the end of the first, BU took an 11-point lead following a 3-pointer from John Papale just over a minute into the second half.

Despite building up a sizable lead early in the second half, the Hawks would not go away and went on a 13-2 run.  A jump shot from senior Langston Galloway tied the score at 43 with 13:50 left in the half, reigniting the crowd of 4,051 fans in attendance, forcing Jones to call a timeout.

Although there looked to be a shift of momentum towards the Hawks’ side, the Terries were able to compose themselves and regain the lead, holding onto a seven-point advantage with 8:46 remaining in the game.

Over the course of the next seven minutes, however, the Hawks went on a 20-4 run, and the Terriers found themselves trailing 67-58 with 1:03 left in the contest.

“I just think we lacked mental and physical toughness when they made their run,” Jones said.  “We didn’t handle it great, which is disappointing because we did a great job against Maryland.”

In the end, BU could not to dig itself out of the hole it created.  A combination of poor shooting, turnovers and defensive fouls did the Terriers in during the final stretch of the game.

During the opening half, the Terriers only turned the ball over only two times, while they coughed the rock up seven times in the second.   Although the nine turnovers were below the Terriers’ season average of 12.2 per game, the Hawks capitalized on BU’s mistakes in the final half of play, scoring eight points off of turnovers in the second.

“I thought we had a couple guys trying to do too much with the ball and that hurt us, and that’s disappointing,” Jones said.

While the Terriers and Hawks both shot the ball well in the opening frame, the second half saw a drastic change, as the Terriers shot 38 percent on 29 shots, while the Hawks shot 48 percent on 27 shots, while also making 17 free throws.

“We’ve got to stay together when those times come,” Jones said.  “We’re a good team, we just got to keep playing together on both sides of the floor and I think we would’ve been in good shape.” 

BU vs. Harvard Videos: Post Game Press Conference and Game Highlights

Harvard Press Conference

Features: Coach Tommy Amaker, sophomore guard Siyani Chambers, and junior guard Wesley Saunders



BU Players Press Conference

Features: Senior forward Dom Morris, and sophomore guard Maurice Watson Jr.



BU Press Conference

Features: Coach Joe Jones



BU vs. Harvard Game Highlights


Game Highlights courtesy of Harvard Athletics via youtube.

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.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com

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.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com

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

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.”

Read more at dailyfreepress.com

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.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com

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.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com

BU Basketball at Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast and Mass. College Basketball Media Day

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

Boston – Sept. 26, 2013 – On Thursday afternoon, all of the head coaches of D­–1 basketball programs in Massachusetts assembled at TD Garden for the third annual Massachusetts college basketball media day.

Media day was preceded with a Coaches vs. Cancer breakfast, in which the state’s first ever tripleheader featuring six Massachusetts D–1 schools was announced.  The tripleheader will take place at TD Garden on November 10th and feature games between BU and Northeastern, Boston College and UMass, and Harvard University and Holy Cross.

The proceeds from the event will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer, a nation-wide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coachers (NABC).

Following the breakfast and announcement, coaches were made available to the media, and Full Court Press caught up with BU head coach Joe Jones.

During that time Coach Jones spoke about leadership within the team and what he expects from this year’s incoming class.  Here’s what he had to say:

Jones on captains this season:

“We should be in great shape.  We have three seniors that were captains last year so they got their feet wet when it comes to being leaders of the team.  Now they’re seniors and they’re tremendous people.  That’s the first thing I’d say is they’re tremendous people, I think they handle themselves well the right way, so guys will follow them.  They understand the ropes, they won a championship as freshman; they’re great student athletes to have as your leaders.  We feel like we’re in great shape in that department and I feel like they will be able themselves.”

Jones on sophomore Maurice Watson Jr. as leader

“We’ve talked about that because it’s a little tricky.  By nature he’s a leader because of the way he is and the position that he plays.  So our captains are very comfortable with him being a vocal leader on the team so that wont change, and that’s why I love our team, they have very good chemistry and are very accepting.”

Jones on 2013–14 schedule

“I don’t know if there’s any game we’ve circled so to speak.  As much as we are anxious to play, we think the non conference will gear us up for conference play and we want to get better as the year goes on.”

Jones on what to expect from freshman class

“It’s hard to say right now.  Dylan Haines hurt his wrist so he’s out.  We were hoping he could give us some added depth in the front court.  Cedric Hankerson we think is going to have a great career.  How quickly he can get comfortable with the things we’re trying to do, will dictate how much of an impact he can make.  I think both guys can make an impact, how much though, remains to be seen.”