Pre-game preview: Boston University
Here's a pre-game preview for UConn vs. Boston University today at Gampel Pavilion:
Records: Boston University 2-0, UConn 3-0
Last game: Boston University defeated UMass-Lowell, 91-65, Wednesday; UConn beat Detroit, 101-55
Probable starters: UConn, 6-0 jr. guard Ryan Boatright (11.7 pts, 5.0 assists), 6-1 sr. guard Shabazz Napier (14 pts, 8.7 rebs, 8.3 assists), 6-5 so. guard Omar Calhoun (15 pts), 6-8 jr. forward DeAndre Daniels (6.3 pts), 6-10 so. center Phil Nolan (3.3 pts, 2 rebs)
Boston University, 5-10 so. guard Maurice Watson Jr. (17.0 pts, 6.0 rebs, 6.0 assists), 6-0 sr. guard D.J. Irving (6.5 pts), 6-3 so. guard John Papale (8.5 pts), 6-7 sr. forward Dom Morris (19.5 pts, 7.0 rebs), 6-7 so. forward Nathan Dieudonne (8.0 pts, 4.0 rebs)
Noteworthy:
-- 2K Sports Classic second round game for UConn.
-- UConn will stick with the same starting lineup as the first three games.
-- Series: UConn leads, 41-12, winning last 21 of last 23 including 92-64 in last meeting in 2009.
-- The Terriers returned their top seven scorers from a 17-win team last season. They are picked to win the Patriot League. Irving was named the conference preseason player of the year.
-- Top reserve: fr. guard Cedric Hankerson (9 pts).
-- BU out-rebounded, 36-33.5, with tallest member of its rotation only 6-foot-7.
-- The Terriers have forced 39 turnovers in two games.
-- Hot: UConn seniors Niels Giffey is shooting 83.3 percent (15-18) overall, 84.6 percent (11-13) from 3-point range. He's yet to score a single point in the second half this season.
-- Cold: UConn is holding opponents to 34.4 percent from the field.
-- UConn freshman Amida Brimah has 14 blocks in three games. Emeka Okafor had nine and Hasheem Thabeet 20 through three games during their outstanding careers.
-- Up next: UConn plays Boston College Thursday in 2K Sports Classic semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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