Mike Quinn’s basketball journey has rarely taken him far from home and his family.

He played basketball and graduated from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. His first stop as an assistant in the college ranks was Dartmouth and now he’s in his fifth season on Joe Jones’ staff at Boston University.

He’s enjoying the ride.

‘’Life is great,” said Quinn, a Montville High School graduate, on Thursday. “I’ve been lucky. I’m going on my fifth year at BU and I’m living in Boston, so it’s been good.”

On Friday, Quinn will be back in the area where he grew to love the sport, as Boston University visits UConn at Gampel Pavilion for a 6 p.m. game.

“I was always a fan of them,” Quinn said of the Huskies. “It will be great to come back. They’ve got a great team. It’s great to see them back battling every year for a Big East championship. It will be fun to come back to Storrs and play there.

“Three of our older players are from Connecticut, so it will be a great experience for them to be able to play in their home state against Connecticut. They grew up watching them as well. We’ll certainly be expecting to compete and try to get a W.”

Due to a scheduling conflict, Quinn’s parents – Jere, the legendary St. Thomas More prep basketball coach, and Judy – will not be in the stands on Friday.

It’s tough for the Quinn family to get together during the basketball season.

Quinn is hoping to be able to celebrate a successful homecoming of sorts.

Coming off a 22-win season and loaded with veterans, the Terriers expect to contend for the Patriot League title this season. They beat Northeastern, 72-63, in their season opener on Monday.

BU’s best player is graduate guard Walter Whyte, who’s from New Haven and attended St. Luke’s School in New Canaan where he played with current BU teammate Jonas Harper (Stamford). Senior forward Nevin Zink (Newtown) also has Connecticut ties.

“Our older guys have come back with a goal in mind and have worked hard all summer and this fall,” Quinn said. “They have been great with their work ethic and putting everything into it. They’re certainly motivated.”

Quinn is always motivated and driven in his job.

He’s learned from some great role models in his parents.

“Growing up around my Dad, and my Mom who was in education, I look at my job as a college coach as an educator, helping our young men develop on and off the court,” Quinn said. “I’m lucky to work at a place like BU. My head coach Joe Jones really values that. We’re developing the whole person here, not just basketball players.

“We’re helping them to grow in the classroom and as leaders in the community and helping them reach their potential on the basketball court. I certainly think that I’ve stolen some of that from my dad from watching him growing up. It’s about developing the whole person.”

g.keefe@theday.com