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.”

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

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.”