Terriers, Huskies Set to Meet Wednesday Afternoon at The Roof
November 24, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2009
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Chambers Previews BU/NU
BOSTON - Continuing a rivalry that dates back to 1920, the Boston University men's basketball team (1-4) hosts crosstown foe Northeastern (1-1) on Wednesday afternoon at Case Gymnasium with a 4 p.m. start time. The Thanksgiving Eve showdown will feature four preseason all-conference team selections in the Huskies' Matt Janning and Manny Adako from the CAA and the Terriers' John Holland along with Corey Lowe from the America East.
Last season in Matthews Arena, BU relied on 21 second-half points by reigning America East Rookie of the Year Jake O'Brien and a 15-of-31 performance from 3-point land to snap a four-game losing streak to the Huskies, 83-75. Both Lowe and Holland each had a big hand in extending the Terriers lead in the all-time series to 70-66.
Besides scoring 23 of his 27 points in the first half, Lowe tallied six assists against just two turnovers, while Holland posted 17 points and a team-high six rebounds. They will look to give BU its first win streak against Northeastern since winning four consecutive games between 2003-04, but enter the game after a grueling week of playing four games in six days, including three consecutive games against BCS school members at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Following a close loss at home to George Washington and an opening round defeat at the hands of Kansas State, the Terriers out-rebounded Indiana, 52-32, to pull out the 71-67 win over the five-time national champion. The victory marked their first over a Big Ten school since defeating Michigan in 2004.
The undersized BU squad carried over the emotions from the exciting win and put on a strong effort against No. 21/19 Georgia Tech, trailing by one with just 14:53 remaining before dropping an 85-67 decision. Holland earned America East Player of the Week honors for averaging 22.0 ppg in the four contests.
Also playing well is Tyler Morris, who is averaging 13.2 ppg and shooting 91.7 percent from the free throw line. O'Brien posted his first career double-double against the Hoosiers and is currently averaging 9.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg, while Carlos Strong has 8.0 ppg and 6.8 rpg.
The Huskies return four starters from last season's 19-13 squad that reached the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournament. They started the year facing off against two 2009 NCAA participants, dropping a hard-fought contest at Siena (53-59) followed by a 64-61 home win against Utah State.
The 6-4 guard-forward combo Matt Janning, who played all 40 minutes last season and scored 22 points, is averaging 14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 2.0 spg, while 6-9 center Nkem Ojougboh is close to a double-double with 11.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
After the game, the Terriers will celebrate Thanksgiving together on Thursday and then prepare for another rivalry game on Sunday (Nov. 29), a contest against the Harvard Crimson in Case Gymnasium at 5 p.m.
