Men's Basketball to Meet Quinnipiac on NESN Saturday Afternoon
December 30, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2011
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HAMDEN, Conn. - Continuing a three-game road trip, the Boston University men's basketball team will close out 2011 at Quinnipiac on Saturday with the NESN broadcast beginning at 12 p.m. The game will also be shown live on SNY.
Playing its last contest before the start of the conference schedule, the Terriers (4-9) have run into a difficult stretch of games, as the last five opponents are a combined 45-20 (.692). BU is on a five-game losing streak and will try get back on the winning track against a Quinnipiac squad that is 7-5 and has won five of its last six games.
During the previous two contests, the Terriers have been without the services of 2011 America East All-Rookie honoree D.J. Irving, who was averaging 12.6 ppg and 4.9 apg before sustaining an injury at Villanova. Senior Matt Griffin has performed well in his place, posting 11 assists against just four turnovers while also averaging four rebounds in the two games.
Trying to replace Irving's point production, sophomore Travis Robinson recorded 15 points against Bucknell, and redshirt-freshman Malik Thomas posted a team-high 17 points off the bench at La Salle on Thursday along with eight rebounds. In the loss to the Explorers though, senior Darryl Partin was the only other Terrier in double figures with 12 points.
Averaging 62.4 ppg, BU's offense will need to be effective on Saturday, as Quinnipiac averages 71.3 ppg. Guard James Johnson leads the Bobcats with 17.3 ppg, while forward Ike Azotam is second on the team at 16.3 ppg. Azotam has also been a force under the basket averaging 11.2 rpg and 1.3 bpg.
The Terriers' defense will have its hands full trying to box out. Quinnipiac ranks second in the nation in rebounds per game at 44.8 and in rebounding margin (+12.3 rpg).
The series is tied at 1-1 after the Bobcats edged BU, 82-81, last year at Case Gym when Dominique Langston tipped in a missed attempt with 3.8 seconds left in regulation. The Terriers won the first meeting, 66-60, at home back in November of 2000.
Following the contest, BU will travel to Vermont on Thursday (Jan. 5) for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
