Terriers fall to George Washington 72-59 in home opener

By Tyler Lay/DFP Staff

The most obvious disadvantage endured by the Boston University men’s basketball team when it matched up with George Washington University was a lack of size.

Junior co-captain Dom Morris did not start the game thanks to what BU coach Joe Jones called a “coach’s decision.” With Morris on the bench, BU’s starting forwards were 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-7, whereas GW’s were 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10. The disparity in height was an obvious factor in the 72–59 BU loss

Though Morris played off the bench against the Colonials, he managed to lead the Terriers with 14 points, while also grabbing five rebounds.

Morris said pure effort was what led to his success against the height-advantaged Colonials.

BU vs. George Washington Live Blog

From the FreeP: BU winless after tough 2 games

By Michael Bagarella/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s basketball team has gone winless in its first two games, dropping a last-second thriller to Northeastern University before losing to Canisius College 83–75 on Monday night.

“A lot of the times you have to look at the teams you play more than anything,” Jones said. “We played two of the better teams in their leagues. We could have played two lesser teams and be 2–0 right now and what does that mean? We are playing a schedule that’s more challenging than anybody else in our league.”BU coach Joe Jones said while those two teams do not boast a national ranking, they are each extremely tough opponents.

The competition will remain tough when the Terriers play George Washington University (0–1) this weekend and then travel to New Brunswick, N.J., to play Rutgers University (1–1).

Youth

For a team that has no seniors on scholarship, the Terriers have relied heavily on the play of their freshmen thus far.

Freshman guard Maurice Watson Jr., ranked 92nd in ESPN’s top national high school basketball recruits of his class, has started both games at point guard for the Terriers. He currently leads the team in assists with 11.

For more, visit dailyfreepress.com.

From the FreeP: Terriers fall to Canisius, lose second straight game

By Michael Bagarella/DFP Staff

In its second game of the 2012–13 season, the Boston University men’s basketball team had a difficult first half against Canisius College and never found rhythm as the Terriers lost to the Golden Griffins, 75–83.

“There were a lot of little things in this game that we just didn’t do,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “We have to make the plays late and we have to get bigger contributions from guys that we are dependent on. That’s the bottom line.”

Despite the lackluster 5–25 record put up by Canisius during the 2011–12 season, Jones said he and his team knew better than to expect an easy victory from Monday’s matchup.

“They are a much different team than they were last year,” Jones said. “They got three transfers that are all starters, and they got a kid on the bench who was a starter last year and their second leading scorer. They are a much different team, a very talented team and a better offensive team than Northeastern. They are not what people are going to think. They are a very good offensive team.”

Canisius (1–0) started strong, opening the game on an 11–2 run in which it outplayed the Terriers both offensively and defensively. The Terriers (0–2) cut the deficit to four midway through the first half thanks to six points down low from junior forward Dom Morris.

For more, visit dailyfreepress.com.

Northeastern completes comeback, sinks BU 65-64 in season opener

By Christopher Dela Rosa/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s basketball team lost its season opener in dramatic fashion at Northeastern University Friday, falling 65–64 thanks to a last-second 3-pointer by Huskies’ guard Demetrius Pollard.

Terrier fans saw some new faces on the court to begin the game. Second-year coach Joe Jones started the freshmen Maurice Watson Jr. and Nathan Dieudonne at point guard and power forward, respectively.

Friday night’s game started off as any other contest between the Terriers and Huskies. with each team scoring after one another.

“[It was a] typical BU vs. Northeastern game … scrappy,” said BU coach Jones.

With about 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the Terriers began to break away.

Junior guard D.J. Irving got the team going with scoring by making a fade-away jump shot from the baseline.

BU vs. Northeastern Live Blog

From the FreeP: Men’s basketball to rely on Irving, Morris in 2012-13 campaign

By Tyler Lay/DFP Staff

For the second consecutive year, the Boston University men’s basketball team will be forced to begin anew after having graduated the America East Player of the Year.

This may be the year that having the Player of the Year on the roster is crucial for the Terriers. Because of BU’s decision to switch to the Patriot League for the 2013–14 season, most of the university’s athletic teams has been banned from the America East postseason tournament. This means the Terriers will have to be regular season conference champions if they wish to have a chance to participate in March Madness.

“A goal of ours is definitely to work toward winning a regular season championship,” said BU coach Joe Jones. “It was last year [as well]. We were out by two games last year and we’re going to try to improve on that this year.”

With former Terrier guards Darryl Partin and John Holland both getting looks from NBA programs (Holland played on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat Summer league teams, whereas Partin has been signed by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA D-League), Jones will be forced to seek new weapons to put up big points for his team.

This year’s co-captains are junior guard D.J. Irving, junior forward Dom Morris and junior forward Travis Robinson. Each of them started in at least 27 of BU’s 32 games last year.

For more, visit dailyfreepress.com.

BU releases 2012-13 schedule

By René Reyes/DFP Staff

On Tuesday, Boston University men’s basketball coach Joe Jones announced his squad’s entire 2012-13 schedule and it sure is a daunting one.

The upcoming campaign features 12 home games for the Terriers – with the other 19 matchups being on the road – and nine against schools that saw postseason action last year.

For the third time in as many years, BU will open up its season against crosstown rival Northeastern University on Nov. 9 at Matthews Arena. The Terriers’ home opener will be six days later when it hosts George Washington University on Nov. 17 at Case Gymnasium.

Since BU was banned from the America East Tournament this year due to its decision to switch to the Patriot League, a verdict agreed upon by the other conference schools, Jones’ club will enter its only two-day tournament called the UCF Holiday Classic near the end of December.

Here is a link to the rest of BU’s schedule:

http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/bost-m-baskbl-sched.html

Live Blog: John Holland's NBA Summer League Debut

Former exceptional Boston University men's basketball player John Holland will make his debut with the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday afternoon against the Boston Celtics in the NBA's Orlando Summer League. Though Holland does not have a spot on the Thunder's formal roster, the Orlando and Las Vegas leagues (OKC will not participate in the latter, however) are a chance for undrafted players to show their stuff to scouts and team officials, in a kind of extended tryout format.

We'll be watching on NBA TV and live bloging for you right here. You can find live stats over at NBA.com if you desire and be sure to read BU Athletics' official press release and One-Bid Wonders' extensive story on Holland. Thanks for reading.

BU athletics banned from America East championships in 2012-13

By Tyler Lay/DFP Staff

Following Boston University’s decision to transfer its athletics from America East to the Patriot League, the America East has made a decision of its own.

According to Jenifer Barsell, BU’s associate athletic director for marketing communications, the America East schools who shall remain in the athletic conference voted to exclude BU from competing in conference championships during the 2012-13 seasons.

“Unfortunately it is [true]. America East made the decision not to allow [BU] to participate [in America East Championships],” Barsell said.

America East Director of Communications Sean Tainsh said that while BU will be ineligible for America East Championships, BU student-athletes will be eligible to receive all awards.