Defending Conference Champions Clash Thursday at The Roof
December 21, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2011
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BOSTON - After completing exams, the defending America East champion Boston University men's basketball team will host 2011 Patriot League champion Bucknell on Thursday night in Case Gym with tip-off set for 7 p.m. Both teams were picked back in October to repeat in their respective coaches' preseason poll.
Playing for the first time since Dec. 13, the Terriers (4-7) will be facing their eighth opponent to be coming off a 2011 postseason bid. BU is 1-2 at home this season with a 73-67 win over Delaware and tough losses to Northeastern (82-74 ot) and No. 24 Harvard (76-52).
Placed on the AE All-Conference Preseason Team following the graduation of 2011 AE Player of the Year John Holland, senior Darryl Partin has stepped up as the go-to scorer with 21.2 points per game. Helping set him up is sophomore point guard D.J. Irving, who is averaging 4.9 assists per game along with 12.6 ppg.
In the post, senior Patrick Hazel has remained a force down low, averaging a team-high 6.8 rpg and 1.8 bpg. He's also second on the team in scoring at 8.1 ppg with five 10+ point performances this season. Sophomore Dom Morris has continued to develop and averages 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg.
They will have their hands full on Thursday against 2011 Patriot League Player of the Year Mike Muscala. The 6-foot-11 forward is nearly averaging a double-double this season at 13.1 ppg and 9.0 rpg. Three other men are scoring in double figures, including sophomore guard Cameron Ayers (12.8 ppg) and sophomore forward Joe Willman (10.9 ppg).
As a team, the Bison (7-5) are shooting 45.4 percent from the field while also maintaining a positive 5.8 rebound margin. Coming off Tuesday's 80-61 loss at No. 1 Syracuse, Bucknell is 7-3 in the last 10 games with road wins at Marist and Binghamton.
The Terriers and Bucknell are meeting for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall with the series tied, 2-2. BU earned a 63-53 win in Agganis Arena in 2009 but then dropped a tough 52-49 decision at Sojka Pavilion last season.
After hosting the Bison, the Terriers will hit the road again with a third trip to Philadelphia on Dec. 29 at La Salle.
For more information or to purchase men's basketball tickets, please visit www.AgganisArena.com, call 617-353-GOBU (4628), or visit the Agganis Arena Ticket Office, located at 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
